SEASONS GREETINGS, 2012

To all my readers, please accept my sincerest wishes for a joyous, peaceful, familial Holiday Season.

Each year at this time, I remind myself of the lyrics from the eternal John Lennon song, War Is Over;

“And so this is Christmas, and what have you done? Another year over and a new one has begun.”

Please join me in reflecting back on our deeds, thoughts and emotions of the last year and where necessary make adjustments in the forthcoming year.

Let us embrace the simple concept that giving is better than receiving. In doing so, we benefit not only the recipient, but also our own sense of self and self-worth.

Be mindful for the New Year:

No snowflake in an avalanche ever feels responsible. (Voltaire)

My very best wishes that we may embrace this Holiday with joy and hope as the path of the forthcoming year begins to unfold.

I remain,

Sensei John Szmitkowski

TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE SECT OF SANCHIN and ALL KARATE-KA READERS:

You are cordially invited to join me in the following SANCHIN KATA TRAINING SESSIONS. Due to geographic distances, we are unable to be together; however, we can all be together in spirit. Sanchin will be performed simultaneously in various parts of the continental United States and we will be spiritually joined during the performance. Here are the details:

CHRISTMAS SANCHIN PERFORMANCE:

So that we may enjoy the Holiday Season together, as a group, on December 26th, 2012 (the day after Christmas) Sanchin Kata shall be performed at 8:00 am, Eastern Standard Time. Adjust your time accordingly, so, for example, I will perform Sanchin at 6 am Mountain Time.

NEW YEAR’S DAY SANCHIN PERFORMANCE:

Many years ago, I learned from a comrade, Sensei Gil B., that many cultures celebrate not the end of the old year, but, the birth of the New Year. Since then, I have always commemorated the sunrise of the New Year with a Kata training session. In keeping with this tradition, Sanchin Kata shall be performed at 8:00 am Eastern Standard Time on January 1st, 2013. Again, adjust your time accordingly, thus my Sanchin will start at 6 am Mountain Time.

I look forward to performing Sanchin Kata with you all.

Tags: Jiriki Kata-Do, sanchin, Sensei John