Mentor , Master, Friend....

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,

while loving someone deeply gives you courage.

-Lao Tzu -



 I first met Joe Lewis at a seminar in 1984.

 Joe asked my instructor why I had been a brown belt for 6 years.

 (I was tested for Shodan a month later.)

While teaching at Karate College, John Maynard, Ian Marshal, Mike Allen and I

discussed the concept of forming an association of Joe Lewis Black belts.

   

 Joe Lewis said,

 'The purpose of creating Joe Lewis Fighting Systems Black belt Association

was too dignify the student’s efforts and pursue a common vision based on courageous leadership. Happiness as a martial artist is not attained with self-gratification

 or the greedy pursuit of ego centered values, but through fidelity of a worthy purpose.'

We simply wanted to share a weekend with our mentor, coach and friend sharing his philosophy, wisdom, tactics and strategies without the encumbrances of style,traditional secrecy and the political agendas prevalent in other Martial Arts associations establishing

a 'Fellowship of Valor' for future generations wishing to share Joes' vision.

'The Monkey Dance'

  Following the 1991 death of Kanei Uechi,

 son of Uechi-ryu founder Kanbun Uechi there was an organizational split.

 The directors of the Okinawa Karate-Do association officially created the name Shohei-Ryu,

 their organization's version of the style.

Upon the death of Bruce Lee on 20 July 1973

 there was a split between Lee's direct students.

Some used the JKD and Bruce Lee names for marketing and commercial purposes.

The two main divisions are Original/Jun Fan JKD and JKD Concepts.
 Proponents of both branches include Lee's direct students.

 Have we learned nothing from these lessons of history..?

 Associations fragment upon the death of their founders...!

and so it begins.....

( I received this email the other day.....)

Mr. Buckland:
I understand you are trying to promote your business and know fellow Joe Lewis Black Belts will continue to support your endeavors.
  However, it would seem appropriate to avoid promoting on the Joe Lewis Fighting Systems Facebook page or using Mr. Lewis' name to assist in these promotions.

I thank you for your time and consideration as I am speaking for my self and not on behalf of the JLFS Association.

Of course you don't speak for the association.

 We are a 'Fellowship of Valor".

 We promote the philosophy,
tactics and strategies of our friend, mentor and teacher

Joe Lewis

and

WE DO IT IN HIS NAME !!!

Tomorrow I fly to see my Friend and mentor Joe Lewis for what is probably the last time.
 His courage, integrity, wisdom and friendship will live within me forever.

 I will take him with me to every class I teach or attend.

I will continue to honor his memory all the days of my life. 

I am who I am today because of his inspiration.
 Through me he will continue to inspire the hearts and minds of all who's lives I touch.

He asked us to
 'Innovate not Immitate'.....
That's what I will do !!

My mentor and friend Grand Master Joe Lewis,
 passed away peacefully at 10:45am on Friday, August 31st,
 with his family at his side as I sat on the runway in Portland, Oregon to go see him.

Mr. Lewis fought a valiant 13 1/2 month battle with brain cancer. 

His vision will live on in the hearts and minds of all whose lives he touched.

Good Bye and God Speed Joe Lewis
we love you Rest in Peace. 

.



Heffalumps and Woozles

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure..........

 

As a leader,

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us…......

Your 'playing small' does not serve the world.

There is nothing enlightened about 'shrinking' so others won’t feel insecure around you.

We are all meant to shine, as children do…

  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

- Marianne Williamson -

 I received a text when I first moved to Florida.

 A former client had suffered significant weight gain since quiting training with me. 

  

It’s not difficult to offer compassion, 
to someone who treats you with respect and kindness.

 I have actually trained several 'clients' for a reduced rate or even for free.......

When these same people loose their 'attitude of gratitude' it's time for me to move on.

 I've moved on, so when
 I hear about the negative things they have said to mutual acquaintances,
 I don't take it personally.
                       

I hope that they find a way to make they're life as positive and as amazing as possible.

 Don’t we wish that for all our friends?

It is my fervent desire that I've left them with the knowledge that willpower is the key to success.

 Successful people strive no matter what they feel by applying their will to overcome apathy, doubt and fear,
 not by making excuses for not training.

Don't just sit back and watch B.B & T
 (your Butt, Belly and Thighs) grow in the mirror !!

Negative body image isn’t something that's treated with a pill.

 Some days you feel great about your body.
But other days you want to curl up and never leave the house.

Having a negative body image makes you feel
 inferior, unworthy, and depressed.

When we’re under stress, the fight or flight response is triggered in our bodies,

 leading to the release of various hormones.

 

 The primary component in letting go of stress is willingness.

 That's right, willingness.

  Be willing to let go of your expectations.
Be willing to let go of the guilt that guides your behaviors.

  

 Your biggest stresses actually come from within yourself !

Try The Rule of Three !!!

Surround yourself with people that make you feel good about you and your abilities.

 When your around people and things that support you 
and make you feel good,

 You'll be less likely to base your self-esteem
 on the way your body looks
.

Treat your body with respect and kindness.

 Feed it, keep it active, and listen to its needs.

Remember your body is the vehicle that will

 carry you to your dreams. 

Here Comes the Judge

Here come the Judge...

Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with what judgment you judge,  you will be judged; and with the measure you use,  it will be measured back to you. - Matthew 7:1 - When I was first starting to compete.  I never went to a tournament just to win I went to leave an impression.  I wanted everyone to remember I was there  and hope I wouldn't  return.

- Joe Lewis -

The real reason one fights is to preserve and to dignify those values representing that for which he stands.
 We fight to demonstrate the standard of excellence all black belts should subscribe to:
  physical conditioning
  an indomitable will
  impenetrable defense
 undetectable pain tolerance

  the two “essential components” of high self-esteem...... a high level of SELF-RESPECT and SELF-EFFICACY.

 In life as is in the ring the good guy doesn't always win...............

Fear Of Judgement

In the world of relationships,
 martial arts and fitness there is alot of ego and insecurity
It’s taken me years to realize,
 but now I choose not to assume that people are judging me

or thinking they’re better than me.

 I can assume people see the best in me,
 as I’m able to see in them when I stop obsessing about myself.

'Someone I used to know'  would say,
 "It's not always about you !"

I realize now that when people do feel superior or judge

 they’ll be standing behind their own heap of insecurities,

 wanting to feel more assured but knowing no other way to do it.

 Courage is not the absence of fear, it's the judgment that something else is more important than fear

 - Ambrose Redmoon -