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How I Became a Ninja

Author: Jiles Keister
Date Posted: April 07, 2007

I remember when I was younger and first started hearing about these mystic warriors in black clothing wearing their masks so as to never show their identity to any one, and dealing with whom ever would get in the way. They did all the really cool stuff I always thought to myself as being a great warrior and to never be seen. The thing that really did it for me was the sneaky factor, that they would be gone without a trace, not to mention all the cool weapons.

I grew up right at the end of the ninja boom in the 80s but the reminiscence of it all remained, and I kept it alive, at least for myself, with my magazine, movies, and toys. If it was even close to ninja I had it. Then at the age of nine I finally got to experience what it was like to be a ninja at a dojo in my very own little town of Sunbury. Back then it was known as Miller's Martial Arts, now Warrior Concepts International. I trained there with a full heart for 4 years, but like most kids I couldn't keep doing something that was good for me for long, at the age of 12, (a little while after earning my junior Black belt) I quit. If I had a time machine I would go back and kick my butt. I was still intrigued by the ninja and everything related to them so I kept watching and learning more about the shadow warriors.

At the age of 14 I read some books by Stephen K. Hayes and Masaaki Hatsumi that I "stumbled" across in my searches. Had I only remembered the stories that Mr. Miller told us about his teachers, (which where Shidoshi Hayes and Hatsumi Sensei) my search would have been a lot quicker and easier.

I kept practicing at my home and any where else I could. While others went and got drunk and partied I was out was out training. I didn’t go back to the dojo because of money problems but also I was ashamed of quitting and I wasn't going to go to any other dojo because no one else taught ninjutsu and I knew that ninjutsu was the only thing for me, it felt so right and I felt so bad not being a part of it anymore. So, 3 years later when I finally got my head on straight and I was bound and determined to get back into training and never look back, "odd" things in my life drastically started to change. I saw more fliers for the school for different seminars and watched all their demos. I even went into the dojo and talked to Mr. Miller and the other instructors saying that I was coming back and they would see me soon. Well I was wrong. My grocery store job at that time wasn't paying me enough to go train and help with bills but I was still hopeful. After almost being there for two years a job opened up at a meat warehouse that the grocery store I worked for owned. There we go, “I said,” “lots more money then I can do it! I can become a ninja again!” Wrong again, I got the job but I spent all my time just working, I hardly even got to see my family but I was still bound and determined to get back. I kept trying to think of ways, but nothing was coming to me. Until one day something great happened to me....

I twisted my ankle and got fired. It was a little bit before Thanksgiving. So there I was, 21 years old, no job, hardly any money, no way of getting back to training. I couldn't even go and practice for almost a week. This was the pits. All I could do at that point was to think of any way to try and get back. I saw Mr. Miller from time to time and we would chat a little and I told him my situation on being fired and having no job but I was still coming back to train. (I had been saying that to him for almost 2 years at that point) I tried getting others jobs, but it seemed no one was hiring any where. This was around Christmas time. Later in January I got my big idea I would try and work at the dojo and pay off training that way. So, yes, finally my big break after all this time. Nope, wrong once again. Every time I tried to go to the dojo it was closed or Mr. Miller was not there but that didn't stop me. In late January of 06 as I was returning a movie at the video store right down the street from the dojo and I was on my way home, a train came by and blocked my path. Well it was after lunch time and money was dwindling down so I thought what the heck I'm going to go back and buy a hotdog. As I passed the dojo I saw a class was being held. Screw the hotdog I'm going in to get training supplies so when I come back I will be prepared. To my surprise, the class was just ending and the instructor told me he would go and get Mr. Miller so we could chat and I could finally get my chance to see about a job. He came out and we chatted for a bit and then it happened the opportunity I have been waiting for “are you still unemployed.” he asked me. “Yes” I told him and no sooner did I say that, “Come back at 3:00 for an interview.” (Insert music here)HALLELUJAH the angels sang and the universe did come to me and say here you go, now stop whining ninja boy.

I believe every thing that happened to me ever since I put my mind on getting back to the dojo and training all happened for a reason. (All the fliers, demos I just happened to have a lunch break for at the same time, twisting my ankle and getting fired all lead up to this.) Once you hold something so close to your heart and with all your being strive to get that thing you want, nothing can stop you. I am here to tell you this and I experience this with everything I want because I believe I can have it and so can you. One of the greatest lessons I have ever learned is "I have control of my life."

I have been at Warrior Concepts International for a little over a year now I am an assistant Instructor and some day will be the head of my own school under WCI. I just earned my adult black belt and am still training to my fullest potential. I have made lots of great new friends and I will continue to grow in all aspects of my life to be the best ninja I can be.

Article Source: JKD Street Combat - online collection of Ninjutsu articles.

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