Name It

Many things or obstacles get in your way in life, both dojo and the world stage. Put a name on it, identify it, and then overcome it. Naming it will put a proverbial face to it and I chose to call it the "monkey." Yes, I am borrowing or stealing the term from Rory Miller, Marc MacYoung and whomever they got it from if not their own.

We put the adrenaline dump and its effects as a result of the emotionally charged and insane monkey jumping into the drivers seat and doing a demolition derby on us so I want to take this a bit further by putting the monkey as a target for those internal obstacles that we have to contend with in every day life.

Maybe by associating these obstacles with the culprit responsible, the monkey brain, we dan put that face where we can readily identify it before it takes over and conduct warfare to stop the monkey at the gate.

This monkey brain is responsible for all those negative emotions we encounter when things "seem" to be out of balance. Let me identify the individuals responsible for contributing to this particular manifestation of the monkey shit.

The HUMAINE Emotion Annotation and Representation Language (EARL) classifies the following 48 emotions.
  
•    Negative and forceful
       ◦    Anger
       ◦    Annoyance
       ◦    Contempt
       ◦    Disgust
       ◦    Irritation
   
•    Negative and not in control
    ◦    Anxiety
    ◦    Embarrassment
    ◦    Fear
    ◦    Helplessness
    ◦    Powerlessness
    ◦    Worry
   
•    Negative thoughts
    ◦    Doubt
    ◦    Envy
    ◦    Frustration
    ◦    Guilt
    ◦    Shame
   
•    Negative and passive
    ◦    Boredom
    ◦    Despair
    ◦    Disappointment
    ◦    Hurt
    ◦    Sadness
    •    Agitation
    ◦    Stress
    ◦    Shock
    ◦    Tension

Not wanting to be totally negative here we do, we humans, have a positive side to our monkey driven emotional makeup and here is that list:

   
•    Positive and lively
    ◦    Amusement
    ◦    Delight
    ◦    Elation
    ◦    Excitement
    ◦    Happiness
    ◦    Joy
    ◦    Pleasure
   
•    Caring
    ◦    Affection
    ◦    Empathy
    ◦    Friendliness
    ◦    Love
   
•    Positive thoughts
    ◦    Courage
    ◦    Hope
    ◦    Pride
    ◦    Satisfaction
    ◦    Trust
   
•    Quiet positive
    ◦    Calm
    ◦    Content
    ◦    Relaxed
    ◦    Relieved
    ◦    Serene
   
•    Reactive
    ◦    Interest
    ◦    Politeness
    ◦    Surprised

I speak of the philosophical side of this discipline which is evident in both lists that with one we have to have, by natures design, the opposite; yin and yang; with the negative being a yang feature while the positive is a yin side thing.

What I have learned through my training as a Marine and a Marine Martial Artist is the type of attitude and demeanor that will succumb only slightly before grabbing the proverbial monkey by the throat and throttle his ass thoroughly.

No where else can you learn quickly and so thoroughly how to live life properly with proper attitude, discipline, and courage but within the training halls of the Marines, as a Martial Artist. Each time you put the monkey back in his cage you get a fresh start on life.