Kudos to Those Who Came Before

Listen, as you already know none of us comes into this work with a lot of knowin-stuff. We all know that what we learn comes from those who were before us AND we also know that those who came before us are the ONLY REASON we are here. It’s a fact of life and survival, simple really.

I wish all that I know, understand and have experienced was from me, my efforts and my experiences but that just ain’t so.

This is that moment I realize and attribute my sincerest appreciation to all those contributors who mentored, inspired and shared their perceptions, knowledge, experiences and philosophies that has allowed me to flourish, grow and live.

Just take a look at those listed in the two links provided and know that is only the beginning of an even longer list.

https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2015/02/bibliography-updated-february-19th-2015.html?m=1

https://martialartlibrary.blogspot.com/?m=1

Then there was the USMC, with those leaders who took pity on me and guided me toward a better direction: a SSgt whose name I can’t recall who said, “the Marines will only be as good or as bad as you make it because it is ALL UP TO YOU!” GySgt Ward Adams who was my first NCO at Base Licensing at LeJeune; retired SgtMaj Warner Dean Henry who was also my Isshinryu Sensei at Camp Hansen Okinawa as well as my best man for my first marriage; and the list goes on.

Nothing I know; nothing I do; nothing I understand; ALL my Experiences, etc., are a product of my efforts on the shoulders of those who came before me. 

In the self-defense arena I want to give special thanks to Marc MacYoung and Rory Miller whose kind efforts to educate all of to the realities of that dangerous corner of the world of violence is most appreciated.

Thank you all, everyone!