Reflections

[Jackie Olsen]

Reading Sensei David’s soul-search over in the “Seeking The Bridge” forum has prompted me to do a little searching myself. Over the past year since the Incarnation there have been 40-50 odd topics suggested by others and myself. Peppered by the occasional lapse, the Forum had been regularly frequented. Original intent was for the participant to share what "spirit moved their soul's expression" in karate.

However, it has been inactive of late due to by own pulling in and deep introspection about life, Uechi-ryu, karate in general. I have been saddened by the illnesses and death of some of our local senseis/practitioners, but have preferred to reflect on these issues in silence. I’ve also stopped posting, lest this become solely a forum preaching my own philosophies and belief systems.

I’ve noticed that people have been reluctant to post or suggest a topic, and also that many other good forums may already serve the “Creative Heart & Soul” purpose that GEM and Anthony originally had in mind. And that’s great!

Those who know me well know that it is the creative energy and spirit of Uechi-ryu karate that drives my passion and way in life. And knowing that in each death somewhere there is a rebirth somewhere else … What say you … is it time that this forum retire? Has the energy or support for this forum grown stagnant … is it time for a new focus and/or moderator?

I wish you all a most blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. As you give thanks for your families and friends, remember to honor your Ancestor’s and lineage.

In so doing … I honor the family and ancestors of Trejbal, who I was born to. I honor the family of and ancestors of Krusina, who I was born for. I honor my adoptive family and lineage of Uechi-ryu, its students, and masters.

In beauty and peace my friends,

Jackie


[This message has been edited by Jackie Olsen (edited 11-24-99).]

[gmattson]

Jackie:
I look at your fourum as a haven where we can voice frustrations, share creative moments and not be judged to critically for what we say. For me, the posts have been enjoyable and at times, when I need to vent, cathartic.

It's reassuring to know you are here if needed.



------------------
GEM

[david]

Jackie,

Never found your posts "preachy." They come from your heart. It also takes a certain amount of fearlessness to dig in and pull it out and say to the yourself and the world, "This is me. This is who I am."

Deep in each of us are the places where the highest hopes are held. There also places of great fear, anger and dark unpleasant feelings. These are all parts that constitute the one. Sometimes we hold back on sharing that hope for the fear of appearing hopelessly naive. A lot times we hold back the dark side lest we appear less to others and thus to ourselves. Can we face and accept best and worse of ourselves, regardless of the "other?" Does our practice of the "martial way" provide a clear mirror... or is it just another layer to cover over what we choose to hide?

I had high hopes for this forum when it was initiated. I still do. I thank you for your posts and those of others that prod us to explore our inner realm.

May you, I and others find much to be thankfull for today and in the days to follow. Happy Thanksgiving.

david

[Jackie Olsen]

GEM:

Thank you for your support and the opportunity to be here. The Internet and your use of the Forum have provided a "great gathering together circle" of all our relations. With miles of telephone line between me and the next person, I must confess I get sometimes long to hear the voice, see the face of those who participate in the Forums.

Sometimes when things get too quiet for my liking I wonder "Is anyone out there?" It's reassuring to know that someone is.

David:

"A long time ago in a land faraway on the underside of the ribbon of time, a warrior priestess lived. As part of her initiation ceremony into the circle of elders, she had to become a vehicle in which Oracle could speak. As she layed upon a giant moonstone in the center of the circle, she was overcome by a vision:

It was time for the Great Mirror which had been shattered into many pieces to come together and become whole once more. Her task was to journey and find each piece and reassemble it so that the mirror of self-reflection could become one again."

Thank you for being a most exquisite mirror for me and for not being afraid to show your own heart and soul.

I believe that Socrates (or was it Seneca?) said that "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Well, I say ... "The unexperienced life is not worth examining." Uechi-ryu allows me to do both.

------------------
In Beauty,

Jackie



[This message has been edited by Jackie Olsen (edited 11-25-99).]

[gmattson]

In our quest to maximize the web's capability for communicating, I am recommending that we adopt a new 'voice' technology to compliment our Forums. It is called "FireTalk!

I'm experimenting with it now and should have it up and running by this weekend. If you want to learn more about it, go to http://www.firetalk.com

Of all the similar products out there, this is the first one that works well with slower modem speeds and the more popular computers out there. At the present time it only works with MS Explorer. Hopefully this medium will allow some of the 'Lurkers', who feel uncomfortable typing messages to participate via the simple to use Voice technology.



------------------
GEM

[Mary S]

Dear Jackie - it is because of the likes of your message to David that I enjoy your forum so much...I am still relatively new to the forums...but I find a true sense of calm, peace and beauty in what you write. Please continue!!!

------------------

[RACastanet]

Nice to 'hear' you again. Personally, I think you should feel free to post those topics important to you to get things rolling. We all have different likes, dislikes and thought patterns. Your forums tend to be a little more 'out of the box' and lead me to consider other areas of the MA.

Regards, Rich

[Lori]

Jackie-san,

I believe this forum moderation task to be somewhat cyclic - I too have wondered if my forum would be better off closed as it goes through long periods of inactivity... yet some of the discussions brought forth there have been really thought provoking - others not as much - yet still it is a place for some topics that may not lend themselves as well in other arenas - as seems to be the case here as well!

Life is filled with journeys of different paces and destinations - and it is not the destination that counts - it is the journey - this is a place to post signposts on individual journeys.

Personally, I have found your new threads and posts to add an introspective dimension to these forums - please keep writing when the muse strikes - and we know that that is not every day - life has a way of getting in the way! Cycle in - cycle out. As a friend of mine who just got back from St. Lucia told me they say as way of salutation,

Peace in and peace out,
Lori

[Jackie Olsen]

Dear Mary, Rich, Lori,

I appreciate all your input. And I encourage all to write when the muse strikes. Sometimes we Gemini writers get into a really dry creative spell when we feel like we don't have a thought or opinion in our heads. It takes another catalyst or muse to inspire us ... then we're off and running again.

GEM:

Sounds like voice activated forums may be the next trend ... either it will help people voice their thoughts more ... or people will really get "stage fright" at public speaking!!


------------------
In Beauty,

Jackie


[This message has been edited by Jackie Olsen (edited 11-27-99).]