"If you come to my dojo you will never be promoted to any rank. You will always remain a white belt. But, I expect that you will be like all other Americans that came to my class and quit. But, if you want to learn and learn the right way, come back and I will teach you." Mr. Takeshi Miyagi directed those words to me on a rainy November night in 1963. The following night, fellow Marine Len Neidert and I returned and were immediately served our first of many doses of humble pie. The first lesson in humility was served when Miyagi handed me a broom. Our "classroom floor" was the hardened dirt...

"If you come to my dojo you will never be promoted to any rank. You will always remain a white belt. But, I expect that you will be like all other Americans who came to my class and quit. I am too strict, much too tough for Americans. But, if you want to learn and learn the right way, come back and I will teach you." Mr. Takeshi Miyagi directed those words to me on a rainy, November night in 1963. The following evening fellow Marine, Len Neidert and I returned to begin classes and were immediately served our very first dose of humble pie. Lessons in humility began when we were told that our...