I love getting emails like this from students! And a favor...
Published: Sun, 06/13/21
His name is Orane, and he came to me after having survived a severe and brutal stabbing attack in his home country of Jamaica before moving to the States. Long story short, it's a dark night and he's walking home when three thugs jump him and he's left for dead - laying there, alone and bleeding.
I'm telling you this to let you know that Orane is just one in a long line of students who sought me out, not just because Ninjutsu was cool or they wanted to be the toughest guy on the block...
...but because they knew what it was like inside that bubble where no sane person wants to ever be... but where warriors and hero-protectors know they have to be prepared for without the BS that's all to common in martial arts schools, self-defense classes, and online tough-guy programs.
But, rather than have Orane tell his attack story, he agreed to let me share this little "check-in" letter he wrote to me to let me know what had been going on in his life, and how the Ninjutsu lessons he learned during our time together helped him survive these life situations - situations that most people never give much thought to when they're seeking out conventional "self-defense" (aka "fight") training.
Here's that he sent me (I know it's a little long), but if your focus is on more than just fight training, fantasizing about being an ancient warrior, or impressing others with your cool moves, you might be able to relate to some of what he's sharing...
With rare exception to help with flow and context, the message below is as written. Just in case I forgot to mention it enough, Orane is originally from Jamaica which is reflected in his letter...
__________________________________________________________________________
"Hi, Sir.
I have been writing this letter for the better part of 2 year and a half. Lol.
I was sorry to read about the fire that burn your house. And am happy that you and your family were safe.
To be honest I am glad that I took the time to write this. Has events has happen over the years. That I thought gave me a better understanding of some of the lessons you have taught
me.
As I was opening the door to my apartment. I heard the sound of a door closing inside my apartment. I close the door behind me walk into the kitchen and put the cup down on the isand then grab the knife that was laying on the couter.
Since then I have gotten divorce and move back in with my parents. My training help me coped with getting divorce.
Some people are surprise that I haven't fall apart afterwards. I didn't because I observe what was taking place in my marriage the constant arguments over money and other crap and I started to prepare myself for the inevitable. It doesn't mean it was easy but it was necessary.
She once ask me what I was holding on to. And I told her, I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to save our Marriage. And when I was satisfied I had done that and fail; I could walk away without regret.
We walk out of court on the day, we finalize the divorce. And I started singing; she ask me if it was that bad. I told her yes, when you are with somebody who doesn't want to be with you it usually is. We now have a amicably relationship.
He fell into a coma and never recover. Three months later, he died.
It took a lot out of me when he died. Had it not been for my mental training it would have taking a lot more.
I accepted that he might died when I heard he got shot and was in a coma but acceptance does not stop it from hurting. It just prepare you for inevitable.
I got there and suggested we take him to the ER. So we did.
We were there until 2 am. They ran a few test on him but could not fine what was wrong. He had started to look and feel better so they send us home while waiting for the results from his test.
Saturday morning his mom calls and tell me they wanted her to bring him back for more test. Around 12 noon, I see a miss call on my phone. I tried call her back no answer.
I am getting a little nervous and then it hits me call the hospital...... An hour later I am at the hospital with them.
Two days later, we found out our son has H flu which, as simple as that sounds, is a bacteria that can be deadly, especially to kids.
When doctors tell you you are lucky your child was vaccinated, I think that says all you need to know about how bad it could have been.
Again my mental training kept me focus, e ven when I felt my world was fallen apart.
How to survive, how to adapt, how to fight.
2 years ago, around 9:00 am. I went downstairs to get tea ( there is a coffee machine in the lobby of my apartment building ).
As I was opening the door to my apartment. I heard the sound of a door closing inside my apartment. I close the door behind me walk into the kitchen and put the cup down on the isand then grab the knife that was laying on the couter.
And begun searching the entire apartment. I found myself looking through the crease of the doors before I enter each room. Checking to see if any one was hidding behind the door, then I would enter the room in low bobi no kamae with a reverse knife grip. Idea been whoever was in there won't see what was in my back hand until it was too
late.
Eventually after my search, I realize that when I had close the door to the apartment, the wind must have slam my son bedroom door shut.
Since then I have gotten divorce and move back in with my parents. My training help me coped with getting divorce.
Some people are surprise that I haven't fall apart afterwards. I didn't because I observe what was taking place in my marriage the constant arguments over money and other crap and I started to prepare myself for the inevitable. It doesn't mean it was easy but it was necessary.
She once ask me what I was holding on to. And I told her, I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to save our Marriage. And when I was satisfied I had done that and fail; I could walk away without regret.
We walk out of court on the day, we finalize the divorce. And I started singing; she ask me if it was that bad. I told her yes, when you are with somebody who doesn't want to be with you it usually is. We now have a amicably relationship.
In November of last year, I like so many others, (I) caught COVID-19.
Then too, my training came into play,
as I practice the breathing exercise that you had taught us. It help that along with all the home remedies my family insisted on me taking
(lol).
In January of this year. My youngest brother (my father and stepmother son) was shot twice in the back because robbers were attempting to steal his motor bike w
hile on his way home from visiting relatives.
He fell into a coma and never recover. Three months later, he died.
This happened in Jamaica.
My brother and I while we had been separated by countries,
had a bond. We had reconnected in December of 2019. When I went to visit them and after we stay in touch using whatsapp ever
week.
It took a lot out of me when he died. Had it not been for my mental training it would have taking a lot more.
My divorce taught me how to let go.
And here I was been taught that lesson again a year
later.
I accepted that he might died when I heard he got shot and was in a coma but acceptance does not stop it from hurting. It just prepare you for inevitable.
Last Thursday, I was at work w
hen my son mom called and told me he was sick. He had a fever and was complaining
of a headache. I decide to leave work early and go check on him.
I got there and suggested we take him to the ER. So we did.
We were there until 2 am. They ran a few test on him but could not fine what was wrong. He had started to look and feel better so they send us home while waiting for the results from his test.
Saturday morning his mom calls and tell me they wanted her to bring him back for more test. Around 12 noon, I see a miss call on my phone. I tried call her back no answer.
I am getting a little nervous and then it hits me call the hospital...... An hour later I am at the hospital with them.
Two days later, we found out our son has H flu which, as simple as that sounds, is a bacteria that can be deadly, especially to kids.
When doctors tell you you are lucky your child was vaccinated, I think that says all you need to know about how bad it could have been.
Again my mental training kept me focus, e ven when I felt my world was fallen apart.
This is what my training in this art as taught me so far.
How to survive, how to adapt, how to fight.
Respectfully: Orane"
_____________________________________________________________________
So... If you've read this far...
Regardless of whether or not you're one of my personal students, someone who enrolled in or has gone through one of my long distance programs, or simply used some of the tips and such that I've shared via email, Youtube videos, etc...
I have a question...
How has these lessons served you?
How have you used them to protect yourself, endure challenges - to survive... "life?"
Let me know.
I know the term "self-defense, " like "Enlightenment," "wisdom," and "warriorship" is thrown around a lot, but it really comes down to not only what you learn...
...but how you apply those lessons to the everyday challenges we face, that moves them from the safety of the dojo, out into the world where they can do the most good.
And, if we're only focused on physical "fight" skills, we may be missing out on all the 'magic' this system has to offer.
Just hit "Reply" and tell me a story or give me some examples of how you've used what you've learned from me to make your life better.
Thanks in advance!
To your continued attainment of personal and Warrior Mastery!
Dai-Shihan Miller
_____________________________________________________________________
So... If you've read this far...
Regardless of whether or not you're one of my personal students, someone who enrolled in or has gone through one of my long distance programs, or simply used some of the tips and such that I've shared via email, Youtube videos, etc...
I have a question...
How has these lessons served you?
How have you used them to protect yourself, endure challenges - to survive... "life?"
Let me know.
I know the term "self-defense, " like "Enlightenment," "wisdom," and "warriorship" is thrown around a lot, but it really comes down to not only what you learn...
...but how you apply those lessons to the everyday challenges we face, that moves them from the safety of the dojo, out into the world where they can do the most good.
And, if we're only focused on physical "fight" skills, we may be missing out on all the 'magic' this system has to offer.
Just hit "Reply" and tell me a story or give me some examples of how you've used what you've learned from me to make your life better.
Thanks in advance!
To your continued attainment of personal and Warrior Mastery!
Dai-Shihan Miller