A Resourceful State

Being in a resourceful state is the best frame of mind from which to draw from. It may be most important in times of need, frustration and great demand and adversity.

I believe that being able to consciously remain in a resourceful state makes the difference in people's ability to cope with difficult times. We all of some level of tenacity, but clearly some people have a lot more than others. Their ability to remain calm, not all emotions to take over (at least not negative ones) allow these people to perform under great pressure when other might fold, give up, quit.

I dont expect to be remembered for what I was given or what came easy for me, Id rather be known for the great obstacles I was able to overcome and what I was able to accomplish inspite of adversity. Isn't that what makes legends?

Is my Scale Broken...?

I’ve made it part of my weekly routine to go to the school gym every Tuesday and Thursday. I think it’s been three weeks now and its going pretty good. I go after all my classes at noon on Tuesday and during a two hour spare on Thursday. It feels good to be doing my kilometres again; I’ve been trying to run for at least 40 minutes every time I go. I don’t really mind the gym either since its free and full of students, I usually HATE gyms, especially the big business conglomerate ones that look at you like a dollar sign. I once dropped into a world health club to ask some questions and made the mistake of giving them my phone number. I couldn’t believe it when I started getting weekly phone calls hassling me.

I weighed myself for the first time in maybe three months and was surprised to find I’ve gained 20 pounds. Three months ago I was at about 170 which has been my weight for as long as I can remember. All my life I’ve never fluctuated by more than a couple pounds, so I was really surprised to see so much change in such a short amount of time. I have no idea where it’s gone though, I don’t really notice a change in size, maybe I’m getting denser. Anyways, I’m pretty stoked about being a solid 190 pounds now, so long as my waist line isn’t increasing.

The other day I was super setting sit-ups (on an incline bench with some weights) with some push-ups when I got some attention. I do all my push-ups on my fingertips because it’s easier on my wrists and because it strengthens the fingers, anyway, I was banging out my set of push-ups when I heard someone nearby whisper,

“Dude watch this guy do like 100 push-ups on his fingers.”

This comment gave me the motivation do an extra 10 push-ups on top of the usual, I burnt out at 85 though, it would have been awesome to have actually made 100. That comment made my day and I walked around smiling for the remainder of my classes.

  Jesse Wetter - Stony Plain AB, Canada

Body-For-Life Part II

Now I figure is a good time. I have enough reasons to do it- the holidays are coming up, I have to fit in a wedding dress next summer, because I want to. I'll be starting one of these Sundays, probably on the 15th. That seems like a nice date to start on. 

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My 7th living hero...

My 7^th living hero is Henry A. Kissinger…

     Mr. Kissinger was born on May 27^th 1923 in Furth Germany and he and his family immigrated to the United States in 1938. He served in the US army during World War 2 and in the post war government of Germany. He went on to receive a BA from Harvard University in 1952 and a PHD in 1954. .In 1954 he joined the Harvard faculty as an instructor and became a professor of government in 1962. He also was the director of the Defenses Studies Program from 1959 to 1962. He was also a consultant to various U.S. agencies on security matters from 1955 to 1969 spanning the administrations of Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. He was considered an authority on U.S. strategic policy.

     In 1968 Nixon appointed Kissinger as assistant for national security affairs and eventually served as head of the National Security Council from 1969 -75 and served as Secretary of State from September 1973 to January 20^th of 1977. In the Nixon administration his diplomatic achievements included China, the Soviet Union, Vietnam and the Middle East. His work with the Soviet Union initiated SALT 2 which was signed in 1972. His work with China opened the first US contact with China since the communist came to power. In Vietnam he was credited with the US withdraw and placement of South Vietnamese troops and in 1973 initiated a cease fire which earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. As for the Middle East, after the Arab Israeli war he used shuttle diplomacy to promote a truce between the combatants. He left the Secretary of State position in 1977 but still served under the Reagan administration in 1983 to head a National Commission on Central America.

Tournament update...

The JK Lee Midwest Tournament was held on October 24^th 2009 and was yet another opportunity for me to do a public performance. We as a family participated in the Family Form competition which was a new addition to the tournament. My son Robert is 8 and a red belt so he was the determination to what the division we participated in. We placed first in that competition. I also competed in my form which is Choong Mo or high red, I placed first in that competition. Lastly I competed in the board breaking. I accomplished a jumping back swing kick and accomplished the reverse roundhouse yet was not successful in breaking the board on my 360 jumping back kick. I did not place in the board breaking but competing was a thrill.

When Are You Ever Going To Use BJJ???

A mentor recently said “when are you ever going to use BJJ in real life.”  He went on to say that when most people grapple they tend to fight just their opponent and think about nothing more than winning or loosing, failing to see something greater at work. 

“Your opponent is putting tremendous pressure on you and forcing you into positions that are uncomfortable.  A natural instinct, at times, is to panic but if one remains focused often they can slowly start to work themselves into a better position.

And at times it is okay to tap.  Often, making mistakes is when we learn the most.  Tap and move on.  If you can apply this to life, remaining calm under pressure and learning from your mistakes, one just can‘t buy that”

So in a week where pride and ego were bleeding from the walls I have been taking a greater look internally.  For me, the practice of martial arts has always been about the internal struggle, no question, but it is taking on even more meaning as I believe I am taking a step in a better direction.

Journal Entry # 24 (11/3/09)

We are heading into the homestretch with Thanksgiving a couple of weeks away and then, before you know it the Christmas holiday season will be upon us.  Talk about an early start, I have seen retail stores advertise their Christmas & Thanksgiving specials during the week before Halloween.  Shopping to accommodate your holiday preference! 

Anyway, what has been on my  mind lately was a strategy I initiated into a very high profile portfolio the other day and because of the volatility I experienced during the execution of it placed some apprehension on the merits of the trade.  There is an adage in my business that there is no such thing as a bad security (unless you have credit concerns then you shouldn’t be involved in it to begin with) just a bad price (or entry point).   The security I purchased experienced a 6 handle move (6 different price points similar to saying it traded from $10 - $15) in one day and recouped 4 of those handles the next day. Talk about volatility.  Fortunately, I didn’t execute at the richest point but neither in the cheapest point but at a level I thought was fair and a good entry to execute the strategy needless to say it was closer to the cheapest point.  After the day, I went back to drawing board, studied my notes, gathered together various resources and pondered the soundness of the trade and reassessed the strategy from its fundamentals and surmised  that I executed the trade in front of technical tsunami (overbought market).  Only time will tell if I get rewarded.  Now that it is on, I can’t be cute on the trade and eek out the last point. I should exercise discipline that if and when I achieve my price objective take the results and move on to  fight another day. I think the technical correction I experienced during my execution is mild for what I think will come down the pike. Stay tuned….

Digging deep

I am always amazed to find new direction just by working with a different partner.

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So our performance on Monday went alright. I thought there would be a big live audience but it was mostly just filmed for TV. It was funny because as we were doing our tai chi form I could hear the announcer talking about all the foreigners and which countries we were all from in Chinese. My mandarin is getting a lot better. I still have a ton of room for improvement but I'm starting to understand more and more. The pronunciation is the hardest part. Well after that we did get our western lunch, I had french fries and a chocolate sundae, no big deal in Canada but here it was the most exciting part of the day. I was really happy to get back to Wudangshan though after spending time in a big city again.

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In conclusion:
I respect vegetarians; however, I personally disagree with their philosophy. If you can find flaw in my views, then please bring them up, I'd hate to be evil while trying to be good.
I recommend that everyone go vegetarian (with no meat, not even shrimp) for at least 3 months and try to live like usual, going out a lot and such if that's how you roll.

Most importantly, follow your inclinations. If being vegetarian does it for you, then I wish you all the best, but it isn't for me.

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Tick Tock

So a few people have blogged about how there are only eight weeks left to UBBT 6. Crazy. It actually went by really fast. It doesn't really feel like it's ending since I'll be going right into 7. I don't know if I am going to succeed in all of my goals.

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My 6th living hero...

     I have chosen John Walsh as my 6^th living here. We all know John Walsh from the horrible murder of his son Adam Walsh in 1981 and being the front man on Americas Most Wanted stemming from that murder. He is married and has three remaining children. He also has authored three books: Tears of Rage, No Mercy and Public Enemy. He is also serving on the board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

     In December 2008 the 30 year old murder of Adam Walsh was solved and Otis Toole was the perpetrator, unfortunately Toole had died in prison in 1996 serving a life sentence for 5 previous murders. I selected John Walsh as my 6^th living hero for his efforts along with Americas Most Wanted in bringing thousands of criminals to justice and closure to the families that these criminals affected.

I am patient...

I am patient….

This one is said easier than done. We all have our patients tested every day. Anyone with a child knows about being patient. A good marriage requires patience. Interacting with society absolutely requires patience. This type of patience is what keeps us out of the criminal justice system for not acting on our thoughts while interacting with society…LOL. I find I am most patient when I am working with my 8 year old son with his homework, which he really doesn’t like but does his best. I find I am most patient with my 11 year old daughter when it comes to sitting and listening to the 11 year old drama she comes home with. I find I am most patient with my wife when two adults have different ideas on how to raise children. Mind you at times patience doesn’t work all the time and stern takes over but I can say …by trying to be patient I am patient…

Log in Log out

Life can be so mundane.  Work, sleep, repeat.  Sometimes, the schedules we keep ourselves to makes your soul scream for something else.  They say a change is as good as a rest.  I guess that is true, but getting back to basics is even better.

I attended our annual year end at the DZ.  I saw the people that make my life unique, as each one of them is special.  (sometimes in a olympic sense)  But just to sit by the fire and talk, laugh, and just be.  No where to go, no expectations.  Just them and the moment.  It felt really good.

Then back to work today, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.... well you get the idea.  (and the shakespeare reference) ;P

But I digress, what we do and think define us.  We make ourselves ordinary, just as we make ourselves extraordinary.  My friends help keep me pushing beyond.  As 3WA puts it... Who does this @#$%?  

WE DO.

Lisa Freitag

Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain Alberta, Canada

The End Draws Near

I should have known, but it was still a bit of a shock when Sifu Brinker announced that there are only 8 weeks left of the UBBT 6.  Eight weeks!?  Wow!  Where did the last year go?  I rushed home and got all my numbers together to see where I stood in my own personal requirements.  Some are good, some great, and some...well, not so great, and some...absolutely terrible. 

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I have been a warrior...

Wow it has been a long time since I have last journaled so i will break down what i have done. I helped my 11 year old prepare for her black belt test. Than we all prepared for for the JK Lee Midwest Championship Tournament. My 11 year old is now in swimming again so that has been doing alot on that end. As for me I am pressing on with the UBBT 6 curriculumn much of which i have exceeded the totals and i am preparing for my black belt test on December 13th. With all that said therefore i am a Warrior  

Forgiveness

I will forgive you if------

I will forgive you as soon as-------

I will forgive you when ever------

If you are finishing these sentences when or if you forgive someone is that true forgiveness no that is putting conditions on your forgiveness. It in no way will set you free.

First there is an offence, if there is not forgiveness after the offence there is resentment. If there is not forgiveness after resentment this leads to hatred. Then hatred leads to grudge. Then grudge settles in revenge. Once a person has reached this thought pattern there seems to be no turning back revenge has to be done and people cannot forgive. Holding a grudge will suck the life energy out of you fill you with negativity and make you weak. What you have to do is find the strength to rise above negative energies like anger, fear, resentment, hatred, vengeance, finger pointing, suspicion, bitterness, and condemnation. It is said that for the sake of your future you must let go of the past, become wiser, and move forward.  Forgiveness is necessary if you ever plan to live fully and happily again. Remember that the best cure for guilt is forgiveness. Holding on to guilt or resentment or worse yet a grudge weakens the immune system the same way chronic stress does. The forgiver is the one that is freed in forgiving.

 When you are feeling down and at the bottom of that pit and then it feels like someone kicks you again, if you have the ability to forgive and not be offended you will know the happiness of having a clear conscious. People have got to develop a thicker layer of skin, and not to take things so serious. Some people are going to make petty remarks about anything you do. People bashing or gossip falls into that category. Soft heart and thick skin that’s what you need. In more blatant terms embrace and give the love, ward off the crap.

Sifu Hayes www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain Alberta Canada

Re-awaken the Dragon

It's been a busy summer and fall this year and I am more than ready for a little boredom in my life.  Having a little down time to contemplate life and all it's intricacies would be a sweet morsel to say the least.

Life becomes very two dimensional for me when all I have time to do is act and react to external stimuli. Rushing from one race to the next, never getting the chance to scrutinize my technique or what I could have done better.  Seeing but barely having the time to acknowledge, let alone enjoy the the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis.  Doing the things that need to be done for friends and loved ones, but not stopping to connect with them and make it personal.  I feel like only my output cord is plugged in and my input is laying with the dust bunnies beneath the cabinet.

So without any guilt attached, I am going to slow down, breathe deeply (a little re-Awakening the Dragon may help) and reattach that input cord.

Darnell McKiney,     Silent River Kung Fu      Canada

8 weeks! Really!

Sifu Brinker gave us a reminder last night, we are running out of time. I have to admit the year has flown by and its hard to believe 2010 is only 8 weeks away.I will have to add up my numbers in my UBBT log and see where I am at.

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I am Project… #9 (10/30/09)

I am proud….  In late October, my family and I participated in our TKD School’s annual tournament and needless to say I am proud to claim the distinction of being Alexandra’s and Elizabeth’s father.  Ever since my wife gave birth to my 2 darlings, no other personal accomplishments can surpass that moment of holding them while being yelled at by the medical staff for getting in their way.  I have always carried that distinction with great pride with Father’s Day replacing Christmas (for the presents less as you get older), Memorial, and Labor Day (for the needed days off) as being my favorite day after my daughters arrival.   At this tourney, my eldest showed us that we had raised a level-headed, competitive, and confident young girl (thank you Mrs. Castroverde) as she bounced back from a disappointing outcome in the forms competition (though I thought she deserved better - biased dad) to regroup and focus on excelling in the breaks competition.  The natural reaction by most, including adults, was to sulk and pout and dwell on the negatives but my little one put that distraction aside and gave it best and was rewarded for it.   She now understands that in a tournament or in life, as you move through the ranks the competition becomes very competitive and that you need to answer the bell my practicing more and giving your best and taking nothing for granted.  That day, my daughter learned a very valuable life lesson to take each setback as opportunity that you can build upon and improve.  It is moments like this, as a parent are difficult to stage and can only be conveyed through a lecture but when it does happen and your child reacts in a favorable manner -  makes the hard work of parenting pay off – it is the moment when an epiphany hits you. 

I had a very proud dad moment recently with my youngest one, as well.  My daughter was presented an opportunity to dress down (t-shirt and jeans rather than her school uniform) for school to commemorate a local football rivalry’s upcoming game.   Rather than acquiesce, she opted to wear her school uniform declaring that her dad was a supporter of the other rival of the local area’s team.    Not only, did the decision generate glee from me but the most important thing is she made a decision, accepted her fate and choice a path that would be least favorable in that environment.  In essence, my 6 year old was not a 6 year old anymore but a confident, thinking young lady. 

I am proud to be Alexandra’s and Elizabeth’s father.