Doors that shut..

I wouldn't lie and say that I didn't spend hours crying, or that I thought my heart was going to fall out of my chest. I won't say that I didn't go over the words in my head like a broken record or hear them like a clanging gong every time I breathed in.  I won't pretend like I didn't have to wipe away the tears from my child's eyes.  I asked myself over and over what I did to deserve this?

Then I thought about the code of the Samurai:

Righteousness

Courage

Benevolence

Respect

Sincerity

Honour

Loyalty

Self-Control


These virtues I never just gave lip service to. I always remember that a martial artist is an artist for and of life. These are not simply just something that I think happens in the dojo, but it is the way I live my life. Every single second of every single day.


Even in the bible it says Philippians 4:8New International Version (NIV)
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.


So I will think of such things and I will continue to live my life according to the Bushido code. It doesn't matter if anyone else does, only that I do. That is the true warrior spirit. I will go where I am wanted. I have left your dojo a better place. When you look at your crest remember fondly the conversation of a lost friend who came up with the name because your Sensei's had failed you. When your students wear it remember how you caused a good friend, and a loyal student to become a Ronin.
I will never give up.