What if the true reward of training wasn’t promotion—but presence?
In this heartfelt reflection on decades of Ki-Aikido practice, Keith Thorn shares the quiet power of simply showing up. This isn’t a story of titles earned, but of lessons lived—on the mat and beyond. With honesty and humility, he writes about falling, returning, aging, and learning to bow not just with the body, but with the spirit. Read More
Through personal stories and timeless truths, Thorn reveals how martial arts becomes less about recognition and more about relationship—with self, others, and the present moment.
Whether or not the next rank ever comes, he knows now: presence was the point all along.
In a world obsessed with hustle, author and Aikido practitioner Keith Thorn reveals the quiet rhythm that steadies the storm: the breath. Drawing from decades of martial training, spiritual reflection, and real-life tests of faith, this book blends ancient Ki-Aikido wisdom with modern neuroscience and personal story. Read More
Each page offers a reminder that strength isn’t found in control—it’s found in calm. Through lessons in posture, presence, and purpose, you’ll discover how to breathe through fear, center yourself in conflict, and live with effortless power.
Whether you’re facing loss, burnout, or the next big challenge, this is your invitation to pause, align, and begin again—one breath at a time.
They say life is a journey—but it becomes an unforgettable adventure when you find someone who doesnʼt just ride shotgun, but cheers you on at every turn. In Sheʼs Not Just Along for the Ride: A Journey With My Biggest Fan, Keith Thorn invites readers into a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply personal memoir of love rediscovered later in life. Read More
From poolside conversations and campfire dinners to RV mishaps, slow dances under Texas skies, and handwritten memories under the palms of Port Isabel, this is the story of a man and a woman—of second chances, quiet strength, and the kind of love that asks nothing but gives everything.
Itʼs a tribute to Melody—the woman who didnʼt just come along, but believed in the dream, the writer, and the road ahead. A love story for anyone whoʼs ever chased the sun, found peace in small places, or learned that the best journeys are the ones you take side by side.
The Security Guard’s Aikido Journey to Mastering Ki
Inspired by the principle: “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness, and just be happy.”
This book blends narrative storytelling with deep philosophical exploration of Ki-Aikido, centering on a security guard’s real-world journey of self-mastery, conflict resolution, and the true meaning of power.Read More
The protagonist (you) starts as a skilled martial artist but struggles to reconcile his training with real-world situations. Through experiences at work, personal growth, and lessons from his dojo (STLKI), he discovers that true strength isn’t about control but about presence, connection, and extending Ki.
By the end, a powerful moment—akin to the classic Aikido subway story—demonstrates how true power lies not in fighting but in harmonizing with the energy of others.
The lotus flower rises from the deepest mud—its beauty not in spite of the mess, but because of it.
In this honest, soulful journey through life’s most difficult terrain, author Keith Thorn shares timeless truths about pain, resilience, and transformation. Whether you’re grieving a loss, rebuilding your life, or simply searching for deeper meaning, No Mud. No Lotus offers powerful reflections and practical wisdom for turning suffering into strength.
With raw stories, gentle guidance, and grounded hope, this book reminds us:
You are not broken. You are becoming.
Finding Grace, Love, and Meaning in Life’s Second Act
When life changes—through loss, age, or the quiet rearranging of what matters most—we stand at a crossroads and ask: Now what?
In Making the Best of the Rest, author Keith Thorn invites you into an intimate, soul-stirring reflection on what it means to begin again when the road behind you is longer than the one ahead. From his coastal winters in Port Isabel, Texas, to memories of faith, family, and forgiveness, Keith shares stories that remind us: joy is still possible, peace is still reachable, and love—if we let it—still finds its way. Read More
With his trademark blend of honesty, humor, and hope, he writes not about perfection, but about presence; not about endings, but about choosing meaning over regret.
For anyone navigating change, grief, or the uncertain terrain of midlife and beyond, this book is a gentle companion and a heartfelt call to live intentionally—today.
Because the best of life isn’t over.
It’s just waiting for you to make the best of the rest.
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Short summary:
Making The Best of the Rest
A heartfelt journey of renewal, love, and purpose—finding peace and meaning while making the best of what remains.
A Wake-Up Call for Anyone Who Thinks They’re the Only One Paying the Price
We rarely see the full impact of our decisions while we’re making them. In the moment, we justify. We defend. We act out of emotion, fear, pride, or pain. We think we’re only hurting ourselves—or we don’t think at all. But somewhere down the line, after the dust settles, we start to notice the quieter casualties. The friend who went silent. The child who stopped trusting. The partner who stayed, but stopped hoping. This book is not about reliving shame. It’s about finally seeing what we couldn’t before—and choosing to grow from it. Read More
I’ve made more mistakes than I care to admit. Not just the obvious ones, but the subtle choices that damaged others in ways I didn’t recognize until years later. This is not a confession. It’s a confrontation with truth. If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve felt the weight of a decision that didn’t just cost you something—it cost someone else something they didn’t deserve to lose. Maybe it was their peace. Their trust. Their ability to feel safe around you. This book is for the person who’s ready to stop minimizing that pain and start owning it.
But more than that, this is a book about redemption. Not the kind that pretends it never happened—but the kind that looks pain in the face and says, “You’re not going to win.” Each chapter will invite you to reflect, to feel, and to take small but meaningful steps toward repair. You can’t rewrite the past. But you can stop the damage from continuing. You can become the person they hoped you were, and the one you were meant to be all along. That journey starts here.
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