Jizaikan

New Year Thoughts

Happy New Year to one and all! I would like to encourage you as you go forward into the year 2009. You have the opportunity to make this year the best year that you have ever had in your life, so take advantage of it. Anytime a New Year begins it is as if you are starting over. Everyone reflects on the previous year to kind of close that year out and then sets resolutions and goals for the upcoming year.

It doesn’t really matter how you brought in the New Year. There is one thing that you might want to take the opportunity to do and that is set your priorities for 2009.

A lot of times, as you go through life, you lose track of what is important, so this is a great time to acknowledge those things that are really important in your life, especially the people.

Make sure that you let the people you care about know how much you appreciate them. You also want to dedicate special time to the areas in your life that are the most important, such as financial goals, quality time with loved ones, and of course personal training in Aiki Ninjutsu.

Just remember that you are the one that creates your reality, everything that is in your life, you put there one way or another.

If you don’t like something about your life, then take responsibility for it and make a change. Make this year a great one for you, your family and the Jizaikan oganization.

- Michael Francis

Like most people, I can’t believe that 2008 is over. For the most part, it was great, with, as always, many ups and downs.

Sometimes I wondered if the ups outweighed the downs, but I’ve come to realize that both are very important. As Doshu Maienza has often told me, the Art of Aiki Ninjutsu is all about learning to the weather the downs, growing stronger throughout, and enjoying the ups to the utmost.

Our art is so much more than self-defense or physical exercise. It’s a way of life that teaches you to learn from everyone and everything.

I’m so happy that I’ve discovered this wonderful life path. So, I want to make sure to start this year in a spirit of gratitude. It’s impossible to completely express the depth of my thankfulness for everyone I come in contact with, so I’m just going to say thank you.

Thank you Doshu Maienza, Kancho Eichenberg, Francis Sensei and Mr. and Mrs. Poxson for teaching me and continuing to develop our art.

Thanks to my family for being supportive, as I struggle to continue learning and to teach others. To my students, thank you for bearing with me and allowing me to learn from you. My training partners, thanks for letting me beat up on you and for taking it easy on me.

And thanks to everyone who takes the time to read these articles and comment. You all make me stronger in so many ways. I hope we all work together for another year and many more to come.

- Mike Messner

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