In the interval of time since the passing of Shihan Wayne Norlander, I have struggled with an appropriate topic to submit for your consideration. Recently, during an afternoon Kata training session in the triple digit heat of the Arizona Desert known as the “Valley Of The Sun”, it occurred to me that the within is perhaps a most appropriate submission. The following is dedicated to all Sensei, past, present and future. It is also appropriate to all those who choose to lead rather than follow. (See Endnote #1)
A SENSEI’S PRAYER
DEAR LORD, PLEASE HELP ME –
TO accept human beings as they are – not yearn for perfect creatures;
TO recognize ability – and encourage it;
TO understand shortcomings – and make allowance for them;
TO work patiently for improvement – and not to expect too much too quickly;
TO appreciate what people do right – not just criticize what they do wrong;
TO be slow to anger and hard to discourage;
TO have the hide of an elephant and the patience of Job;
IN short Lord, please help me be a better Sensei!
Until the next submission, I remain, simultaneously honored and humbled to have earned the title, “Sensei”,
Sensei John Szmitkowski, Jiriki Kata-Do
Here is a link for a promotional video about my Sanchin Kata & Jiriki Kata-Do DVD filmed in the Tonto National Forest. Arizona. Please see the “SANCHIN DVD & BOOK” page tab above for information on how to purchase the DVD.
LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-pC-tPUrYE
ENDNOTES:
1. The “Sensei’s Prayer” is taken from a plaque that hung in Shihan Thomas DeFelice’s Academy Of Goshin-Do Karate-Do Dojo.
For more on either Sanchin Kata as meditation or my new book on Sanchin Kata, please feel free to visit the “Sanchin Book” page of this weblog, or my website WWW.Dynamic-Meditation.Com.
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Kata-RX For wellness 
Sensei i do remember that plaque. Maybe thats why i took to coaching. Hope all is well with you.
With extreme reverence,
Tony Brinson
Sensei,
This is truly a prayer for all to live by…..the world would be a better place if people learned to judge less and be more patient in understanding one another.
Thank you for posting and reminding me of how much effort it takes to teach something you already know and are willing to share openly with the rest of us.
I will keep this prayer in mind in my daily life.