Friday, October 31, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: All Hallows Eve

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: All Hallows Eve: I bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween ! Halloween wraps fear in innocence. Even a focused eye doesn't...

All Hallows Eve

I bet living in a nudist colony takes all the fun out of Halloween !

Halloween wraps fear in innocence.
Even a focused eye doesn't guarantee a keen imagination.
Without imagination there can be no horror.
The darkness on this night,
 has a special place in the hearts and minds of everyone.


Imagine if the whole world hated you, how terribly alone you'd feel.
But, if you're conscience absolved you of guilt, you wouldn't be without friends.
You would though surely feel like a soulless caricature.

Parents can try to give guidance to the right paths but the 
final formation of ones character is in our own hands.


I think pleasure is found in the wonder of the unexplored
 and the unexpected things that lay hidden ...muted even,
 behind the 'walls' we use to disguise our true selves.



Tonight I'm down with the clown,
I crawl like a tarantula on my toes and thumbs.
Born to carnies, gypsies and bums....

Outside the air feels different, it's cool and bright, 
the veil between realms is thinnest tonight,
whether you believe in spirits 
or not this night, they surely believe in you.

Humans are amphibians, half spirit and half animal.
As spirits they belong to the eternal world, 
but as animals they inhabit time.

-C. S. Lewis-



Thursday, October 30, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Grinch who Sold Timeshare

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Grinch who Sold Timeshare: Did you ever notice Tinkerbell and the Grinch look similar ? They could be related, just sayin'. She does have those  enhance...

The Grinch who Sold Timeshare

Did you ever notice Tinkerbell and the Grinch look similar ?

They could be related, just sayin'.

She does have those enhanced 'laugh lines',
 from years of trading away her humility
 'trick', by 'trick',
under the spell of 'the liquid muse'........

Leave it to me to say or write 'the wrong thing'....Ha ha !
Don't pick on the pixie !!!



I was bored as hell at work the other day and a friend joked that I had a 'Devilish grin'
My response was something about the Grinch and this story was born.

The Grinch that Sold Timeshare

The Grinch is a bitter, grouchy, cave dwelling creature from Wells, Maine.
His heart was two sizes to small and his only companions were his dogs:
 Meeka, Spiff and Dollar.




From his perch high atop Mt. Agamenticus the Grinch could hear the noisy activities
at the 84 Main Resort in Kennebunk. This annoyed the Grinch and he set out to 
stop the mooches from wasting the sales rep, Lucy Loos'  time.




He crudely disguises himself as a sales manager,
 and sets off to steal the 'gifts' and snacks,
 load them into his sleigh, and bring them back to his perch
to dump them all into the abyss.





As the sun set on Lucy Loos' 3 hour tour, he expects to hear the mooches
bitter sorrowful cries, but is confused to hear them singing a joyous song instead.
Yup, the 'song' of buying questions !!!


He 'puzzles' for a moment until it dawns upon him, perhaps there is more to this
mooches visit than just a quest for gifts and free food.
 This mooch might BUY something.




The Grinch's shrunken heart suddenly grows three times larger.
Lucy Loo turned the table over to the Grinch.
 The Grinch proceeds to work a series of nose bleed price drops, to no avail. 

The mooch owned timeshare, a campground membership,
 an RV, had kids in college,  a vacation home, and were renovating a home,
while raising their grand kids because their kids were on drugs.
 They were buying a new home and couldn't have a 'hit' on their credit.
They were recieving cancer treatments, having surgeries
 and taking care of their sick handicaped mother !!



If they'd have seen this program at a different time...
when their grand kids weren't so young,
there children didn't need so much help with their young children
and they weren't so old this would've been perfect for them. 

They did say though if the Grinch gave them a copy of the paperwork
 that they'd have their attorney, accountant and financial advisor review it.
At that point they'd discuss it with their kids and they'd be back.

On the bright side they said that their sales rep little Lucy Loo
 did a great job, they didn't mind the view of the Sunoco station
and that they learned a lot and had fun.

 SO MUCH FOR MY DAY OFF !


Thank goodness the marketing company
 will only invite them back twice a year !!

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: A Matter of Cognizance

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: A Matter of Cognizance: I received a message from a friend after the last blog post about writers block. They asked if I was O.K. ? I think they thought ...

A Matter of Cognizance



I received a message from a friend after the last blog post about writers block.
They asked if I was O.K. ?
I think they thought I was emotionally hijacked or something !!

Per-cep-tion
The state, process or ability to see, hear,
 or become aware of something through the senses.



I try when 'wordsmithing', to leave you with an opportunity to interpret
each sentence, paragraph or phrase for your own personal meaning.

For example the arrow through the heart goes back to Cupid .
It symbolizes the arrow finding love in ones heart.
But, the arrow also symbolizes that love can hurt as well.



A waitress at 'burger night' a couple weeks ago
 was getting off shift and saw me writing.

She asked, "Are you a writer ?"

I replied, " More like a 'wordsmith'....LOL"
She then asked if she could read something I had written.
I let her read what I was working on.

Her head started nodding, then shaking her head she looked up and burst into tears.
She said, "Oh my God this is my life."

You see, it's a matter of cognizance

There is a story of a old woman saying goodbye to her mother for the last time .

She said, 'I wish you enough', 
and the young woman burst into tears and hugged her mom.
She said through her tears, "You've given me more than enough mom."



To her the message was clear.....

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.

I wish you enough pain to make small loves seem bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate what you possess.

I wish you enough "hello's" to get you through the final "goodbye"


.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: CHIP AWAY AT THE 'BLOCK'

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: CHIP AWAY AT THE 'BLOCK': I wish neither to possess, nor be possessed. I no longer covet paradise,  more important, I  no longer fear hell. The medicine ...

CHIP AWAY AT THE 'BLOCK'


I wish neither to possess, nor be possessed.
I no longer covet paradise, 
more important, I no longer fear hell.

The medicine for my suffering
I had within me from the beginning.
But I did not take it.

My ailment came from within myself,
but I did not observe it until this moment.

Now I see I will never find the light
unless, like the candle,
 I am my own fuel, consuming myself.

 The Silent Flute,
 - Bruce Lee -
 October 19, 1970

 
 
 


        People we cherish in our lives will sometimes become estranged from us.
Good friends are like stars, you may not always see them but they'll always be there.

When you perceive yourself as being hurt,
 you don't want to hear about someones best intentions,
you want them to acknowledge harm and take responsibility.

Men kick friendship / love like a football,
but it doesn't seem to crack.
Women treat it like glass and it all goes to pieces.

'Night' can fall at any time, concentration turns to fear and desperation.



 
I'm trying to make this a kinder and gentler story.
I could live without speaking up, all I'd have to lose is my vanity.
Recently I've had writers block...... I know what your thinking,..

YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY ???
 
 I'm not really tortured, inspired, pissed off or disgusted. 
Therefore this will be a random mish-mash of collected sentences
edited from unused  stories, and insights collected over the last couple weeks
 I've started, then lost the inspiration to complete several stories.
 These are the tattered remnants of those musings.

In writing, relationships and sales you need positive
 or negative emotion to be successful.

I've got nothin !!

September was a record month with 26 stories and lots of drama having been hacked
by someone using some pretty interesting tactics requiring me to get new bank cards,
a new operating system for both the computer and the phone.
I changed emails and my phone number.
Sorry to all that were inconvenienced.


October we had the JLFS conference. 
 Mid November is almost here and we head to Martial Arts University.

Only 20 stories in October.
 Once you see the truth for what it is,
 anger and resentment is replaced with hope, faith and forgiveness.

 Everyone has been fooled
by the 'perfume on the pig' at one time or another.
it wears 'makeup' like graphiti on the walls of the heartland.

Life is a journey, you never know what 'state' you find yourself in.
It's not real healthy to keep 'a book of conspiracies' in your hand.

Though the past is 'a days bus ride from here' 
when the day is over and the sun is settling down you look to the 
horizon you can see the silhouette, that darkness that nearly consumed you.


You are your your own fuel, you can see the light if you,
 like the candle, consume yourself.

The ailment is within and so is the cure.

-Robb Buckland-

Friday, October 24, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Unbridled Beast

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Unbridled Beast: The world of relationships and associations is a wild animal,  untamed & unbridled .  It's allure is overpowering to all of...

The Unbridled Beast


The world of relationships and associations is a wild animal,
 untamed & unbridled .
 It's allure is overpowering to all of us.

 More often than not it is 'kryptonite' to our individual creativity. 

We are attracted to it's allure like moths to flame
 but invariably the flame that burns brightest burns out fastest.


 Like Icarus we crash and from the ashes rise again to try again,
 because we are hardwired to fight against failure.

Fall Down 5 times get up 6  =  Champion

This is exemplified in relationships by the perceived need for a shoulder to lean on,
or a hand to hold while waiting for whispered words we need to feel self worth again.

We forget that it's actions that make the difference not just words.
Out of desperation you yearn to feel what you thought you never would again.
So you believe the empty words.


Associations in life, love and Martial Arts will leave you dizzy if you
 try to follow the downward spiral of 'their' devolving, revolving door hearts.

Lost opportunities cause an erosion of confidence causing the 
experience of life to be so difficult for so many.


I remember being so proud of being a Joe Lewis Black Belt
 Joe would call you out of a crowd of a hundred seminar participants
and introduce you as one of his few Black Belts.

Captains & Sailors


There are more 'Grand Masters' in North America than in all of Asia.
I read there are over 1000 Kenpo 10th Dans !!

I watched a handful more Grand Masters get promoted 
at the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems Conference.
Congratulations Gentlemen !!!

To maintain 'legitimacy' and integrity in the 'Fellowship of Valor',
adheres to a strict policy of 'time in grade' and board screenings.
After all it is a business. 
The business of maintaining the legacy of our fallen mentor.


It is my fervent desire that joy and good fellowship reign, and in this manner,
may the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems 'torch' pursue it's way through the ages,
increasing friendly understanding among Martial Artists,
for the good of  all, inspiring more enthusiasm in future generations.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Your Dirty 'Ass'

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Your Dirty 'Ass': Don't allow the Demons of your past   unpack their baggage at the door of your future This is the story of an old donkey and a...

Your Dirty 'Ass'

Don't allow the Demons of your past
  unpack their baggage at the door of your future


This is the story of an old donkey and a farmer.
One day the farmers old donkey fell into his well.
Despite repeated attempts the farmer couldn't get the old donkey out of the well.
The well was running dry, and the donkey was old,
 so he decided to fill in the well with the old donkey in it.


The surrounding townspeople came to help but still couldn't lift out the donkey and finally were resigned to helping the farmer to fill in the well with the donkey in it.

The farmer would shovel dirt in the well and the donkey would shake off the dirt
 and then step up onto it until he rose up and actually stepped out of the well.... !

You dont develop courage by being happy
in your relationships everyday.

You develop it by overcoming adversity
 by surviving difficult times
and challenging adversity every day. 
-Epicurus-


O.K. so there might be one more lesson we can learn from this 'ass' .

The donkey bit the farmer in the ass and he got an infection and died.

The first lesson is obvious shake off the dirt and rise 
the second lesson ?

If you try to 'cover your ass' it'll bite you in the but in the end.

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The weight of the world

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The weight of the world: The weight of one life is enough. When the center of the world was the Mediterranean. The Titan Atlas was made by Zeus, king of t...

The weight of the world


The weight of one life is enough.

When the center of the world was the Mediterranean.
The Titan Atlas was made by Zeus, king of the Gods from Greek mythology,
 to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Zeus sentenced Prometheus to have his liver pecked out and eaten by an eagle.
For stealing fire from the Gods and sharing it with man.
Since the Titans were immortal the liver kept growing back.
Atlas intended the punishment to last forever,
perhaps Greek mythology's version of Hell.



I think at different times in our lives we all experience this feeling.
when were not winning, when you loose faith in yourself or others.

If you were carrying the weight of the world you would surely drop it.
It would shatter into thousands of pieces.


Freeing yourself of the 'dust' from past failures and dissatisfaction
is exhausting. Who knew how heavy 'dust' actually is.
'Fresh air' is exhilarating, breath it in !!!

The only person you are destined to be
 is who you decide to be
-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Maybe the gift of fire from Prometheus to man was 
The fire of will. 

As the years have passed I've moved to more 'Primal' methods of training.
Using two sets of  twenty pound ankle weights (one on each limb)
I walk for 1 hour and 10 minutes every day. the results are pretty amazing.



I know where i've been, I can't wait to see where I'm going.
There is always risk in Primal activity..... life, love and Martial Arts.
You don't know whether it will warm your heart, fulfill your hearts desires
or burn the whole damn house down.



Picking up the pieces is never an easy task, but what a great opportunity.
Sure there is difficulty in every opportunity,
 but there is also opportunity in every difficulty.

 When rebuilding a shattered world from pieces things won't ever be the same.
But do you want them to be ?

Happiness is the pause between two moments of suffering.
The jagged edges of those broken shards may reflect 'the light' you need.

During a speech at the J.L.F.S. annual awards banquet I wrote this on a napkin.

Love and Death don't mean a thing until the Angels sing.
I hope I was everything I was supposed to be 
when the Angels sing


Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Color of your Dreams

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: The Color of your Dreams: For my part I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of stars makes me dream. Winter will invariably pass and become Spring ag...

The Color of your Dreams



For my part I know nothing with any certainty but the sight of stars makes me dream.
Winter will invariably pass and become Spring again.

I know that our heart knows things that our minds can't explain.
A person is at their best when they are passionate about something,
you can see that love and passion in their eyes.


I recently observed a Black Belt test for the J.L.F.S. .
The administrators of the test were some amazing Black Belt friends of mine .
Three candidates stood out in my memory.

Doug Arcidino, Rose Lysak & Brook Purcell ;
all the candidates were outstanding but these three were different.


They showed a perfect blend of softness and power,
as their physical power drained from them when they fought through the 'gauntlet' ,
but their powerful spirit and unwavering commitment to their goal
was clearly evidenced in their eyes.


'....or in Doug's case by Eric Chester's 'cream' on his face.   LOL

You have to leave the city of comfort to explore the wilderness of the unknown.
 What you'll discover is yourself.
 You feel a tap on your shoulder and there it is the world behind you.


The only real voyage of discovery consists of not seeing new landscapes but in having new eyes
-proust-


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Flavor of the Weak

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: Flavor of the Weak: Each of us has a cunning 'shadow self' ,   (what Jung and Freud call ego) That's where the 'righteous anger' ...

Flavor of the Weak

Each of us has a cunning 'shadow self'
 (what Jung and Freud call ego)


That's where the 'righteous anger' routine comes from.
Similar to 'convienent truth' as a method of deflection.

You simply feel that you've been done wrong , and it's unacceptable.
Someone has to say sorry and it's not going to be you.

It's easy to tell others to stay calm and move on 
until the 'shit hits the fan'  in our own lives, then its 'gloves off'' !


At this point it's VERY difficult to find a 'neutral perspective'.
Focus on goals and a clearly defined purpose is jeopardized.
This delusional approach will likely bury you in a shallow grave of lies.

Life is a long rainy storm,  learning to 'Dance in the Rain' 
before the storm passes is liberating.



I've been doing an exercise taught to me by George E Mattson.
George is the North American Uechi Ryu Karate Founder, a mentor and a friend.

How simple is this ?
Perform Master Uechis' Sanchin Kata at 'Tai Chi' speed.
If you can master this ultra slow motion method of introspective analysis
you can get past any person or event that is renting space in your head..




One of my sales reps is so wrapped up in her phone and what's going on with
Facebook , that it effects her sales every time.

The ability to separate yourself from social drama in favor of a beneficial goal
is paramount in fitness, martial arts, love and life.

I had a student we called 'Tinkerbell' During training breaks she would 
go to her gym bag and check her texts, obviously adversely affected by 
the message she received, I finally asked her why she did that.

She explained that her ex was the title holder of her car and was 
calling her and texting trying to control her using the car as  leverage.



I could have a million more friends if I would just change my point of view.
Joe Lewis said we as fighters should maintain 
'constant forward pressure'.

I  think the same applies to all aspects of our lives. Don't get distracted.
Assume the topless lady invariably has something up her sleeve.
If your steadily losing you aren't using what you know is right.

Even if you do the right thing and are steel willed
the 'hocus - pocus' in our lives leaves us maladjusted
and your tears get rusted.

As martial artists we strive to forge a body of steel in the fire of our will.
I suggest you maintain an insurance policy that includes collision;
then leave the wreckage at the door.

Our Dreams are Important
We must Leverage our Passion to Honor Them !!!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: What do you see in his 'BUNNY EYES' ?

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: What do you see in his 'BUNNY EYES' ?: The eyes can tell you everything you need to know. ' If dreams are lightning and thunder desire,  this 'old house would&#3...

What do you see in his 'BUNNY EYES' ?


The eyes can tell you everything you need to know.
'

If dreams are lightning and thunder desire,
 this 'old house would've burned down long ago.
With Summer in full retreat, it feels sometimes that our shadow is casting us.


In Atlantic City, killing a buffet with my friend and mentor Joe Lewis;
I remember a conversation about the difference between being internally
and externally focused in fighting.

THE EYES HAVE IT !!

When you observe an adversary it is pretty easy to read someone by their eyes.
In the movie Stick  Burt Reynolds said,
"He's got 'bunny eyes' .

In Uechi Ryu they say, 'Glare in the Eyes with Fast hands'.



Outside Martial Arts it works the same way as in 'the fight game'.
You can read someones level of commitment or 'heart' by the same means.

In women 'the resting bitch face' is a good indicator to WATCH OUT !
They are ruled by emotion and rarely have 'Bunny Eyes'.


In men there is a BIG difference between 'a soulful look' and 'Bunny Eyes'.
It's easy to mistake this look as sullen or passive aggressive.

The eyes are the windows to the soul.

True Story

With an effective 'Thousand yard stare', you can make 
'ole bunny eyes' leave their 'place' and crawl back to the place where 
their weak and damaged soul used to hide.

Or as Joe Lewis would say, "Send 'em back home cryin' to their momma".


Joe would talk about an attitude technique, 'sitting an opponent down'
will go a long way in the crushing of an adversaries' spirit.
Bill Wallace used to 'talk' to Joe in the clinch to frustrate him
in an effort to break his concentration.

'True Victory' comes from defeating an opponent on all levels.
MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY 
 and  BREAKING their SPIRIT


Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: THE SINS OF EXCESS....GLUTTONY

Fearless Fitness/Martial Arts: THE SINS OF EXCESS....GLUTTONY: "Gluttony" I get it started and then I'm broken hearted 'Cause I can't get a hold of the beast It's like I&#39...

THE SINS OF EXCESS....GLUTTONY


"Gluttony"
I get it started and then I'm broken hearted
'Cause I can't get a hold of the beast
It's like I'm blind, I'm running out of time
And everything I crave is out of reach

You say I drink too much,

 you say I fuck too much
So what the hell am I supposed to do?

I take a dive and medicate my mind
'Cause I hate what I fucking see
It's all a grind, we're filling up our time
With the rules of society

You say I eat too much,

 you say I smoke too much

What the fuck am I supposed to do?
I wanna die and kill my dirty mind

-Buckcherry-


Where is my ball gag ? 

We live the predominant part of our lives obsessed about our fitness, our Martial arts , 
and especially our relationships; over thinking, over training, and over reacting..

 I remember the bars on the windows obscuring the view of the 
beautiful blue moon light.

I've missed plenty of opportunities because of bad judgement,
Often though, it is difficult because more often than not you are the only one who sees 
the evil and the underhandedness while everyone else is blind to it.

I spent alot  of time reflecting my actions, missing many 
opportunities because of my stubbornness or ignorance.

We create the prison of our mind through superstition,
 dependence on the advice of damaged people
 and our own fear of personal failure
 due to our knowledge of who we truly are inside.

The only thing a man/woman need fear
 is what they know about themselves inside.
-Clint Eastwood-



"That's The Way The World Goes 'Round"

I know a gal that's got a lot to lose
She's a pretty nice lady, kinda confused
Got muscles in her head, ain't never been used
Thinks she owns half of this town

Starts drinking heavy, gets a big red nose
She beats her old man with her panty hose
Then she takes him out, buys him new clothes

I was sitting in the tub just counting my toes
When the radiator broke and the water froze
I got stuck in the ice without any clothes
Naked as the eyes of a clown

I was crying ice cubes, hoping that I'd croak
When the sun come through the window and the ice all broke
I said "son of a gun", man, that's just a joke

One minute you're up and the next you're down
Got a half an inch of water and you think you're gonna drown
That's the way that the world goes 'round

-Miranda Lambert-



We were talking about 'damaged people' and how everyone was to one degree or another; and my friend Jerry says,
 'There are plenty of psychotic fish in the sea.'

I'm thinking, 'O.K. I'm not a 'fisherman so let them  swim on by !!!'

You Will encounter all kinds of 'wack jobs'
in sales , martial arts and fitness...Stay safe, love yourself  and
TRUST YOUR JUDGEMENT.

Let us not forget 'Grimms' Rapunzel 
who's indiscretions left her destitute.
External beauty, in speech and appearance will eventually
expose it's true essence. That essence will be their down fall.

Like the 'Stones' song says time is on your side.......

If that's not enough look to the  'Art of War'.
"A warrior must have the patience to wait  by the river
for the bodies of their enemies to float by."

More often than not after sharing your knowledge, resources
 or just your heart, you will be disappointed.

A warrior doesn't quit they persevere.
I've been disappointed , misled in about every endeavor I undertook.
A champion gets knocked down 5 times and gets up 6

I've used bad judgement in most aspects of my life ...

Understand the benchmark to your personal success
is unity and loyalty and perseverance.

Choose your 'TEAM' wisely !