The boy and his dog

    Our story begins in 'The Historic Triangle'. Linked by the scenic 23-mile Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown were stops on our nation’s journey from the first settlement to the final battle that secured independence for the citizens of the new nation.
More than a nation was born here, it's also the birthplace of the story of a boy and his dog.

Shiva reminds us that endings are beginnings

   The beginning of a new year is seen as a time for for new beginnings, we make resolutions for our transformation and restoration. Despite good intentions, success is hard to come by, behavior change requires a 'change in your default settings' or you'll simply repeat your old destructive behavior.

    The chances of success increases when an incentive is added.

Humans like lab rats will go through a maze in one direction to find sugar water at the end..

More than punches and kicks 'the dojo' offers a lifelong lifestyle choice for health and fitness for the the mind, body and spirit.. Most see the black belt as an end but for a few it is only a beginning. When you reach the end of what you should know, you will be at the beginning of what you should sense. The martial journey is like a story with three beginnings. One for the audience, one for the teacher, the third is the student who has decided to pay for pain.

Beginnings and endings are just random pieces of the middle that happen to stand out, the value of your story is in your willingness to sacrifice.

     Gripping the wheel his knuckles went white with desire. This was how the boy would reset his 'default settings'.The wheels of his Mustang exploding on the Colonial Parkway like a slug from a 45. His mother scolded him after he quit college pointing out that he "never completed anything". This car  was a symbol of his willingness to sacrifice. 440 Horsepower of maximum performance screaming down this historic road was more than his therapy, it was a dark shadow grey metallic, air ram inducted muscular middle finger to her..... He even named it Annabelle after her.
    He veered off the road and the gravel sapped the momentum from the tires., he then rose from the car and lit a much needed cigarette. While scanning the tree lined shore he heard a whimper and saw what looked like a wet furry ball struggling by the water. He approached the shivering little wet bundle and carefully picked it up wrapping it in his t shirt someone had beaten, abandoned and left for dead a Lab/Wolf hybrid. For several years he nurtured, taught and loved the pup and he named it 'Shinjo'. One day 'Shinjo' jumped a fence and was 'taken' by a large truck. He was gone.

Shiva reminds us that endings are beginnings, and that our world is constantly undergoing a cycle of birth, death and rebirth

Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one. Change 'your default settings' and sacrifice the unnecessary, Sacrifice comes in many shapes, time, passion and money... don't forget your worth it.Your Championship is forged in the passionate fire of your will and gauged by sacrifice and  'the willingness get up' not the number of victories, titles, pounds lost or pounds lifted.

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We give good gifts......

    'Sorrow doesn't come without seed'.         T.D. Jakes

 This seed, is a message that something needs to change, It's a gift.. If we listen to the message we receive the gift. We get strength through our sorrow. Don't suffer the pain without receiving the benefit. Change your mind.

    Nothing is as powerful as a changed mind. Like a computer we're governed by our 'default settings'. We operate from repeated behaviors that hurt us and those whose lives we touch. Changing our mind or changing our 'default settings' allows us to create lasting change in ourselves. With these changes the lifestyle you create becomes a life long journey or  a mistake.

And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.                   

   Hebrews  12:13

   Value is determined by sacrifice With fitness and nutrition it means portioning, cleansing and regular exercise. Adhering to this even while occasionally slipping or cheating will send a message to your body, your friends and will change your metabolic 'default settings' .

 Value is determined by sacrifice Every gift has a weakness. In relationships  it's the strengths that are advertised and not the weakness. Be careful not to say 'I do' to the strengths cause it's the weakness that you have live with. She wants to workout, he wants to get high. He gets mad at the amount of time he spends in class because he puts no value your training. She gets mad at the amount of time he spends getting high because she values her time as a currency for creating lasting change.

 Value is determined by sacrifice. Communication is key. As you navigate life make sure to communicate your desires and priorities to those who touch your life. If your sacrifice goes unrecognized it will be unappreciated. Communication is key.

We give good gifts

For me giving good gifts is not a seasonal thing or a holiday thing, I aspire to honor my mentors by giving consistent quality gifts like confidence, courage, loyalty and self esteem.

We give good gifts, a Christmas story.   

Once upon a time while trying to 'give good gifts' our subject driven by love and perhaps a little crazy braved 'white out' weather conditions in a near antique vehicle to ensure timely delivery of a Christmas gift and message. The vehicle died and the tow never came that snowy night. The gifts  went unappreciated and the sacrifice unrecognized.

Value is determined by sacrifice

Sometimes a gift, given without expectation, is taken for granted and goes unappreciated even when given at great personal sacrifice. We would do well to remember that gratitude, thankfulness and appreciation stem from grace and not all of us have an unlimited supply of that. Gifts and love are like seed and often require time to be recognized and their true value appreciated.Never steal a heart then break it.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son

John 3:16

Take your time, breath deeply, give without expectation, love yourself and your 'team', look to the stars and imagine yourself running with them. Be thankful for what you have and you'll have more; not what you had and lost or don't have. The hardest part on the journey is having the patience to wait  for the right moment and the courage not to be disappointed by the result we encounter.

Merry Christmas