Referrals, Refrences and Testimonials

Opinions are like body parts some stink some don't.

In today's business,  and the world of love and relationships, references are key.

Identify what other people are saying or feeling about you or your business,

 and take steps to ensure that the general consensus is in line with your goals.


I just want the money and the fame and the adoration, and I don't want any of the other stuff.
-Mathew Broderick-

Each day you have a choice to create references as you reinforce,

 inspire or create positive change in others.

How would you like to inspire others to.........

• Take greater initiative at home and school?
• Take more responsibility for their actions?
• Value togetherness as a family?
• Consistently treat peers, adults and themselves with respect?
• Be honest even when the truth is difficult to share?
• Courageously face fears and persist through challenges?
• Be less influenced by negative peer pressure 
• Be more able to stand up for what they believe in?

In relationships 'he said she said' is not uncommon .

It's even more common when one side feels scorned !

Expect conflicting reports from two or more parties on most issues
between men and women when there are no other witnesses. 

Celebrate Those Who Inspire

Echo of greatness

I made an oath to Joe Lewis that his profound influence on my life,
training and personal development would echo in eternity.

Mr. Lewis,
 beyond being the greatest fighter of all time was a self developed intellectual.
He understood that the cognitive / meta physical produced the physical.
He shared that attributes must be aligned with thoughtful expressive purpose.
Above all else in life through his personal development journey,
 he focused on producing intellectual fighters.

Joe Lewis   &   Dennis Nackard

He expressed through action, writing, and conversation his distaste for individuals 

whom were unable to express themselves from the trapping

s of regimented activities and groups.

This theme carried through his coaching, political discourse and friendships.

Joe Lewis was an independent individual,

 this made his greatness by example that much more powerful.

There is no need to connect his legacy through comparison.

He was his own shining beacon as much as any other legendary

 Martial Artist / Scientist.

Mr. Lewis studied, 

lived and expressed his spirit at a level only reached by a few contemporaries,

Bruce Lee, Mike Stone, Chuck Norris and Bill Wallace.

Joe Lewis was a proud Marine,

 He often paid tribute to his training in the Marine Corps and 

traditional Okinawan Arts.

From this foundation he built an independent process

 by which he and others he mentored from could launch themselves

 into an expression of self through their own independent intrinsic spirit.

-Ian Marshall-

3 rd Times a Charm.......

gal·lant·ry

ˈgaləntrē/

noun

1. courageous behavior, esp. in battle.

   "a medal awarded for outstanding gallantry during the raid"

   synonyms:

   bravery, courage, courageousness

What he said.......

I respectfully nominate Robb Buckland for this year's JLFS Gallantry Award.  Over the past several years, Robb has endured and recovered from several delicate abdominal surgeries, emerging from each one stronger than before.  As soon as he is back on his feet - sooner than most men could ever hope for - he is right back to teaching the JLFS to his dedicated following.

Despite Robb's medical challenges, he has been a staunch supporter of Joe Lewis, the JLFS, and his brother and sister black belts in the Association.  He has traveled from Maine to my dojo - some eight hours - to train with Joe and me on several occasions as well as to Dennis Nackord's and Jeff Troshane's, as well as others, for simple day camps.  That's a tremendous investment in travel in order to support us, his JLFS family.

Faced with his medical issues, similar to Joe, Robb has never asked, "Why me?", but rather, "What more can I do to get past this and represent what the JLFS is all about?"  Robb Buckland's tenacity in and out of the ring, coupled with his gentleness of spirit, embody everything we as Joe Lewis Black Belts aspire to be.  In my professional opinion, Robb Buckland is a role model both to those working toward their Joe Lewis Black Belt and those of us who work toward maintaining the oath we took the day we achieved our coveted Joe Lewis ranks. 

The Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines gallantry as "spirited and conspicuous bravery".  Robb Buckland has demonstrated such bravery repeatedly and is more than worthy of the 2013 JLFS Gallantry Award.  Thank you for your consideration!

Respectfully yours,Dennis J. Campo

"Sometimes a teacher; always a student!"
President & Chief Instructor
Wisdom Way Martial Arts Inc.

What I said....

The best years of your life 
are the ones in which you decide your problems are your own.

You do not blame them on your mother,
your health, your spouse, your job 
or your financial situation.

 I've driven hundreds of miles and slept in my car 
to attend a day camp or seminar.

I taught a KickBox Fitness class benefiting the food

 pantry the week they put in my callastamy bag.

The last time I shared the mat with Joe Lewis was

at a hotel in western Massachusets with Phil Maltinado

5 days after having my illiostomy bag removed..

Ego is not your enemy.
 It is a necessary tool.
Without ego, we couldn't be aware of oneness.

Our seperate perspective allows us to understand the big picture.
In other words ego is contrast and necessary for growth. 

As we prepare for combat our rival pushes us to be the best we can be.

So is our rival our enemy or our best friend ??

My friend Angie told me,

Ego says you must be number one.

Spirit says you always have been.

Joe Lewis ..."Legends are Forever"

(Thank you Angie, Ian, Dennis,Mike and the Board) 

The Vision

When we come close to those things that break us down,
we touch those things that also break us open.
In that breaking open, we uncover our true nature.

-Wayne Muller-

I'm American. I'm eclectic. I'm going to follow my passions.
 If people don't like it, and it hurts my legacy, I'm not going to worry about that.
We can never die as long as someone still speaks our name.

 We have given up on the family dojo.
We train fighters/instructors.
It is individually paced.
I only tone it down for groups that include other kinds of students.

 

We are about undoing learned helplessness.

A student must overcome their fear in order to truly become what they desire.
I think this covers all categories that they enter into training for.
Inclusive of their preconceived notions.......
 as a foundation to work with and develop from.

 Robb Buckland / Ian Marshall

  There are still many levels of wolves (or Gorillas).
Some will be ferocious and able to protect the pack (troop),
others will be strong/clever/skilled enough to be part of the team.

We will provide opportunity for all but exceptions for none.

  

A wreath in Loving Memory of our friend & mentor Joe Lewis

In a recent conversation with Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace, Danny Dring,
Terry Dow and Anthony Albanese;
 we dicussed necessary adjustments that would enhance
students skill sets...............

 The lay of the land is fluid, moving, changing.
 Stop trying to dam the river,
  you could use its tremendous power to deliver you downstream.

Efficiency isn’t about wrestling the world to its knees by domination and control;
 it is about being exactly, precisely who you are.
 The straightest paths will then arise.
 You won’t have to choose them for they will choose you.

Life and nature have their own paths
From our viewpoint they might be taking the long way,
but we don’t see everything.

It’s a serious error to think that our perspective is “the truth.”