I have always loved training people to defend themselves.  I find it to be one of the most satisfying experiences in life.  For so many years I was abused, beaten, victimized.  When I achieved a rank and level of skill that permitted me to share this training with others, I embraced the idea to the fullest.  There may be no better feeling than to know you have had a part in enabling a person that had until that point been bullied around.  I take pride in training men, but perhaps an even greater pride when I train women.  I have known many good women growing up that were beaten by their husbands, including some of my aunts and cousins that were abused by their husbands.  I know the sort of fear and desperation they had to face for all those years.  
   
    While this wasn't the goal of my diving into the martial arts ocean, it has shown itself to be a very welcome surprise.  I knew that one day I would be happy to defend myself when the need arised.  Being able to help others while paying my bills is jus the icing on the cake.  

    While I may not be donating food to starving people in Africa or taking in a homeless child, I am contributing to making the world a better place in my own way.  With each person that I train and help to reach a functional degree of skill, I help one person to no longer be a victim.  Some of my students have become instructors themselves, and have helped others.  I take pride in that legacy.