Shoka Magazine February 2024 A Family Educational Resource
Shotokan Karate Leadership School® 3082 Marlow Road B1, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-575-1681 phone, 707-861-0092 text AskAboutKarate.com
February 1, 2024 Marty Callahan 8th Degree Black Belt
February 22-24 Sensei Reece Flaherty and myself, will be visiting the Virginia Beach Naval Base to learn more about how the US Navy trains leaders and to tour a nuclear aircraft carrier. We’ll provide a full report when we come back. Welcome to our new and returning students: Henry Flahive, Miranda Vasquez, Liam Ramirez, Hannah Griffin, Ricky Feagin, Marcus Moreno, Alaia Hernandez, Christian Hernandez, Kendal Reece, Rocco Childs, Dewey Screen, Analeigh Nelson, Maya Ibarra, Sophia Gleason, Alexis Cambigue. Here’s what’s on the calendar for the next month or two: • Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day... Classes as usual • Feb. 19 – President’s Day... We’re Closed • Feb. 20-21 Instructional Period #1 Exams • Feb. 22-24 Sensei-s visit to Virginia Beach Naval Base and tour a US Navy aircraft carrier • March 17 – St. Paddy’s Day Here’s what’s in it this month’s Shoka Magazine: • Hero’s Journey: New psychology research reveals a pathway to greater life meaning. • Art of War: Heaven Born Captain • Tools for Raising Successful Children – Courtesy • Christina, Miguel, Ken, and Todd Yours truly,
Marty Callahan, Chief Instructor, 8th Degree Black Belt, Speaker, Award Winning Author of The Hero’s Journey Act I – The Separation
Shotokan Karate Leadership School® 3082 Marlow Road B1, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 707-575-1681-ph, 707-861-0092-txt
Shotokan Karate Leadership School®
The hero’s journey: New psychology research reveals a pathway to greater life meaning By Eric W. Dolan, PsyPost
In a series of studies, researchers have discovered that viewing one’s life through the lens of the Hero’s Journey – a narrative framework where a protagonist overcomes challenges and undergoes transformation – can significantly enhance the sense of meaning in life. The findings, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, provide evidence that reshaping personal narratives to align with this archetypal story can lead to increased well-being and resilience.
Motivation Behind the Study The inspiration for this study stemmed from a modern societal challenge – the quest for a meaningful life in an era marked by social, economic, and existential uncertainties. Researchers were driven by the hypothesis that the Hero’s Journey, a narrative pattern identified by mythologist Joseph Campbell and prevalent in stories worldwide, could be a key to unlocking a deeper sense of purpose and significance in one’s life. This narrative has resonated across cultures and epochs, suggesting its potential as a universal tool for enhancing life’s meaning. “Much of my research is dedicated to assisting individuals in finding greater meaning in their lives and professional paths. This is particularly relevant today, as many sense a prevailing crisis of meaning in contemporary times, with traditional sources like religion and community connections diminishing in influence,” explained study author Benjamin Rogers, an assistant professor of management and organization at Boston College. “A fundamental approach people use to derive meaning is through constructing their own life narratives, interpreting, and contextualizing their experiences. Each person’s life story is unique, tailored by the choices they make in highlighting or omitting events, and the links they draw between these experiences. Such stories profoundly influence our perception of the world and self-identity, implying that a life story imbued with deeper meaning can enhance the overall sense of purpose in life.” 3082 Marlow Road B1, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 AskAboutKarate.com, 707-575-1681-ph. 707-861-0092-txt
The Art of War By Sun Tsu
He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponents, and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain. Shotokan Karate Leadership School®
Shotokan Karate Leadership School® TOOLS FOR RAISING SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN - COMMON COURTESY By Success-centers.com “Come on Robyn!” shouted Gail, “Let’s hurry and get in the lunch line!” Robyn was holding the cafeteria door open for some kids at her school. The last child passed, and Robyn went running up to her friend Gail. “Gee! You don’t have to hold the door open like that,” said Gail. “They could do it themselves!” “I know,” said Robyn, “I’m just being courteous!” “You’re just making us the last in line,” complained Gail. In art class they were working with blow pens. “This is so fun!” said Gail, “Whoops! There goes my paper!” She had accidentally blown her paper right off the table. “Here, let me pick that up for you,” said Robyn as she handed the paper to Gail. “That was nice of you,” said Gail, “Thanks!” Another student’s pen fell off the table near Gail. He asked her to please pick it up for him. “Pick it up yourself, lazybones!” said Gail. Robyn heard her and couldn’t believe her friend could be so rude! After school, the two girls walked home together. “Remember when I said the word courteous today?” asked Robyn. “Sure,” said Gail, “What about it?” “Well, “began Robyn, “you weren’t being very courteous in art class today. You didn’t pick up that pen that fell right by your foot. Do you even know what courteous means?” “I have a feeling you’re about to tell me,” said Gail. “It just means to be kind, considerate, thoughtful, and polite,” began Robyn. “You know, doing something nice for someone just to help out or be kind.” Gail thought for a minute. “Were you being courteous when you picked up my paper for me today?” asked Gail. “Yes. That’s one way to be courteous,” answered Robyn. Gail thought some more. “Sometimes I listen to the music my mom likes, even when I don’t like it much, just to make her happy,” said Gail. “Is that being courteous?” “Yes, it is!” said Robyn. “I get it,” said Gail. “Being courteous means being polite and doing stuff to help other people or to make them happy.” “And you feel pretty good doing it,” said Robyn. The girls went to Gail’s house to study. They set up their homework on the dining room table, and Gail poured them both a glass of lemonade. “OOPS! I spilled my lemonade!” cried Robyn. “Let me help you,” said Gail, as she ran to get a towel and helped wipe up the mess. “Thanks!” said Roby when they finished. “That was nice of you to help me.’ “You mean I was being courteous, right?” asked Gail. “Right!” answered Robyn, “and a very good friend.”
3082 Marlow Road B1, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 AskAboutKarate.com, 707-575-1681-ph. 707-861-0092-txt
Shotokan Karate Leadership School® Student Success Stories Christina Christina was a young overwrought, overworked, overweight single mom who started job training and karate training at Santa Rosa Junior College. She was racked with frustration and doubt during the early part of her training. Then one day she experienced a major breakthrough. She discovered how to concentrate her energy at one point at the center of her body. After this there was no stopping her. She went on to earn her black belt, to win the National Collegiate Women’s Sparring Championship and to get her dream job. Christina trained with us for about 4 years from 1986 to 1990 and then moved out of the area. Miguel Miguel was an intelligent and hard working student. He had earned his black belt and was accomplished at his job as an underground pipe fitter for North Bay Construction. It was a dangerous and difficult job. Miguel was very good at it and was paid well for it. One day he was working in a 10-foot deep trench when a steel plate weighing hundreds of pounds fell on him and drove him face first into the dirt. His fellow workers saw this happen, and feared he was dead. As he lay pinned to the ground, unable to move or breathe, he heard Sensei Callahan’s voice tell him, “breathe from your center, Miguel.” He had heard this hundreds of times in class. And so, he did. Not only did he survive this near death encounter, but he made what his doctor described as a miraculous recovery. He attributed all of this to his ability to remain calm and do what he had to do. Ken Ken was a Shotokan Karate student for only 4 months when he fell victim to Ramon Salsido one of Sonoma County’s most renowned killers. Ken was Salsido’s boss at Grand Cru Winery. On the morning of April 14, 1989, Salsido shot and killed his wife and her mother, knifed his two young daughters and threw their bodies onto a trash heap. Then went looking for Ken and his boss. Ken lived at the winery where they worked. When Salsido arrived, he shot and killed Ken’s boss, Tracey Toovey, a 35 year old wine master, and then drove to Ken’s house. When he saw Salsido drive up, Ken came out onto his front porch to greet him. Salsido pulled out his gun, aimed at Ken, and fired. Ken saw this, and dove for cover. He sustained a bullet wound to his arm, but he believes that his karate-quickened reactions saved him from more serious injury or death. Ken was one of the few people who survived Salsido’s onslaught. Todd 8 year old Todd was hyperactive and sorely lacking in self-control. His parents excused his behavior and attributed it to his being ADHD. Todd would run at full-tilt from one side of the dojo to the other bouncing off the walls and screaming at the top of his lungs. But there was something about his behavior that made Sensei Callahan believe, that it was not totally out of his control, that he was enjoying himself immensely. After 3 or 4 years Todd was technically ready to take his Black Belt test. So, he went to Sensei Callahan to get permission. Sensei told him, “No, not until your manners improve.” 6 months passed, nothing had changed, and he asked again. Again, he was told, “not until your manners improve.” Another 6 more months went by with no change and again the answer was “not until your manners change.” But this time, he got the message. The very next day Todd became a model student. His manners were impeccable. He became a major help to younger students instead of a major pain. Within a few months the other instructors, the senior students and the parents were commenting on how much progress he had made. And when it was time for the next exam, Todd asked if he could take his test and this time the answer was a simple and proud “Yes.” He took his test and passed with high marks. Todd Horwath trained with us for about 5 years from about 1987 to 1992. He stopped by in 2009 and is doing well.
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Shotokan Karate Leadership School ® 3082 Marlow Road B1 Santa Rosa, CA 95403