02/09/2023
Today I’m humbled to announce that I’ve been promoted to the rank of Yon-Dan (4th Degree Black Belt).
It was an unexpected surprise to be sure. Those of you that know me and especially those that I’ve had the privilege of training, sweating and bleeding with, know that rank has never been a concern of mine. It is always secondary at best. The honor of sharing the mat with my students, fellow instructors and teachers both in Aikido and all the other disciplines I’ve studied, has been enough. Being better than I was yesterday, has been enough. Helping others to overcome, has been enough.
So as I add a fourth stripe at end of my Obi, it’s with humility and a continued steadfastness to help others the way I was helped through the martial arts. Over 40 years since my first Tang Soo Do class and 31 years since I walked up those stairs to begin my Aikido training with Mr. Weber. His voice always has and always be will be one that echoes in my head. I could never repay him for all the years of guidance and patient mentoring, I can only strive to continue what he started. 🙏🏻