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.

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-

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

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 !