From The Black Belt Book of Life, Secrets of a Martial Arts Master As the greatest gift exacts the greatest price, the greatest accomplishment exacts the greatest sacrifice. Spiritual development requires great sacrifice. Saint Sawan Singh Sacrifice, which is the passion of great souls, has never been the law of societies. Henri Frédéric Amiel Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness. Napoleon Hill Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Kiado-Ryu Principle #30 From The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master. In the day-to-day battles of life, we can weep or laugh or cry, but the indefensible truth is that we either Adapt or Die. The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water molds itself to the pitcher. Chinese Proverb Fixed fortifications are monuments to man’s stupidity. General George Patton, Jr. The nature of war is ceaseless change … It is one of the most important tasks of command to effect timely and proper change of tactics.

(Photo courtesy of Pac-12 Networks) As a follow-up to the KIA article Kylee Perez — Warrior With Glove & Grace, the Pac-12 Network has created a terrific YouTube video recognizing the UCLA senior softball standout and her battle with Type 1 Diabetes. Kylee’s story is an inspiration for all people afflicted with T1D. Thanks, Kylee! You’re a great inspiration and role model! And thank you Pac-12 Network for your wonderful video tribute.

When we think of self-defense, it is fair to say that the most common perception is of an assailant attacking us as we defend ourselves with our martial arts skills. Such a scenario comes within the milieu of external self-defense. However, how often do we consider defending ourselves from ourselves? Answer: not often, if ever. Yet, defending ourselves from our own selves via bad judgement and foolish behaviors can, arguably, be the most critical application of self-defense.

There are warriors, and then there are warriors with a glove. There are athletes, and then there are athletes with grace. Kylee Perez, star second baseman and undisputed Senior leader of the historically vaunted UCLA Bruins Women’s Softball team, is both a warrior with a glove and an athlete with grace. For Kylee Perez, glove and grace go hand in hand. In unadulterated sports speak, Kylee Nicole Perez is an absolute stud.

General George Patton was one of the most iconic military leaders in history. And what do “White Tie and Tails” have to do with this vaunted martial leader? I always believe in being prepared, even when I’m dressed in white tie and tails. General George S. Patton In other words, “No matter where I am or how I’m dressed, I’m always prepared to fight.” From a personal standpoint, are we prepared to such a level?

During its highly successful competitive era, Kiado-Ryu Martial Arts and the Karate Institute of America utilized the following mantra for motivation. It certainly worked. The KIA was so successful that a mother, whose children studied in another karate system, stopped Ken “Ramjet” Rogers (now Anderson) as he walked through the tournament crowd. She said, quite frankly, “You’re going to win.” Ramjet asked why. She retorted, “Because people with that patch always win!

One doesn’t normally think of Buddha in a martial arts manner. Yet, his following quote harmonizes perfectly with the heart of martial arts philosophy, which is ultimately not about beating up other people but conquering oneself.

William Shakespeare is regarded as the greatest dramatist of the English language and the most quoted author of all time. His “This Above All” quotation from Hamlet (Act 1, scene 3, lines 78-82) gives great advice regarding one’s character and wholeness, i.e., being true to one’s self, for if we are true to ourselves we can never be false, fake or phony to anyone. As martial artists, not just people, we must learn to be true to who we are.