When one first trains in the martial arts, it is about ego... becoming the best, defeating the bully, getting attention, etc. ALl about me! Later, one progresses to expanding the lessons learned to all aspects of life; healthy control of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of self. But this is still about self. Later, one realizes that the martial arts is not only about about waging war, killing and even the virtues of being the cop but about creation... the building of healthy societies and civilizations. Things that go way beyond ourselves. Martial artists becomes living artist. The martial way is ultimately about creating and protecting the peace. Freedom is not free and blood is periodically required to protect freedom but unnecessary blood is a waste just as much as responding to the obvious fake or taking three complicated steps to take the guy out when one simple maneuver would do.  I ask you to consider 'giving back' to the world community through either the planting of trees at $1 per tree and/or through the donation of a cooking stove for a needy family. Planting trees does a lot more than simply allow some spotted owl or hippie to have a beautiful place to pee. The planting of trees directly impact human beings by reducing starvation and thirst; and by reducing poverty. The donation of modern cooking stoves also helps people. By giving a family a modern cooking stove, they not only reduce the consumption of wood by up to 70%, they also reduce their monthly expenses in regards to buying the wood - reducing their poverty. In addition, they no longer have the massive cloud of particulates filling the house, which causes a lot of respiratory and other diseases.  So check-out Plant-It 2020 at plantit2020.org and discover how you can 'make-a-difference'!