WHAT'S NEW

2019-05-23
Most of us are part of some work place environment - job, our homes, clubs. If we want that environment to thrive and not just survive, Durst says, "Unlike personality types, operational styles addres...

2019-05-22
The art of Judo is considered a defensive skill such as warding off an unwanted physical attack. Therefore, the practice of the skill in lessons is to take turns throwing the opponent to the ground by...

2019-05-14
My cousin said to me recently, "Do you know how poor you were?" I am constantly grateful that I grew up poor. We had the basics. With Ikebana, the art of flower arranging, the basics are the flowers t...

2019-05-08
Bonsai plants bring nature into our homes. I like the comparison of the Gardener to Parenting. Trimming away the excess is the discipline we need, not only in keeping a clean physical environment, but...

2019-05-06
Several years ago, Ike was one of the first individuals of Japanese Heritage to get an executive job as Director of Atlantic Street Center in Seattle. It was during a time when "Black Is Beautiful" wa...

2019-04-23
When I was a teenager, I had a serious argument with my Dad. I said, "I can be anything I want." He adamantly shouted and forcefully answered, "NO YOU CAN'T!" That conversation remains clear in my min...

2019-04-18
It's taken me a while to get used to my new life, but as I get organized I'm finding that when it is known that I am 80 years old, I get all kind of perks. By perks, I mean that the people helping me ...

2019-04-12
Getting my daily/weekly exercise does not automatically occur in my thoughts and in my life. But I am committed to a mobile body until I die. What has worked for me is to be consistent for short perio...

2019-03-30
GAMBARU is a gramatical variation of "GAMBATTE!" - A word often said by a Japanese mother as she sends her children/husband out into the world. It has a mix of meanings: use self-control, persist, ove...

2019-03-19
Today, my 11-yr-old granddaughter is sick and didn’t go to school. We had a talk. I suggested we have a secret between us. She agrees not to discuss it with anyone else and when we remind each other o...