Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated.” - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Viewpoint


You present a viewpoint. To do so means you want a comment from the person or persons you presented said viewpoint too. This is a normal means of communicating. If the person or persons present their viewpoint in response and it happens to be a different one, i.e. they disagree with your viewpoint, then what do you do?

First, you present your facts to support your viewpoint with clear, concise and non-inflammatory voice and body language. You don't place personal attacks within those facts - you simply state the facts as you know them in support of your viewpoint. The idea is to gain acceptance of your viewpoint, not to force anyone to accept your viewpoint - acceptance of the facts counter to ones beliefs are the important goal here with out antagonism or conflict, provide your facts are acceptable and valid to your viewpoint. 

If the other person or persons fail to accept your viewpoint and those facts supporting that viewpoint what do you do? You don't continue to antagonize the other person or persons because this just closed their mind to knowledge and solidify their viewpoint and belief beyond reason. It does not promote change or acceptance of your viewpoint. It is also important to remember that maybe, just maybe, your viewpoint is not as accurate as you believed. Be ready to change if they provide facts in support of their viewpoint to warrant change on your part - be open minded.

If they fail to convince you of their viewpoint and you fail to convince them of your viewpoint, do you just keep beating them about the head and shoulders, metaphorically speaking of course, trying to "force" them to accept your viewpoint? No, you did your due diligence in presentation of facts in support of your viewpoint. There is no need to continue the struggle regardless of how right you may be and how wrong they may be because if they have dug their heels in deep enough nothing you say, do or write will change their minds. Actually, unless they also fall prey to "taking it personal" they will just stop listening to you and your viewpoint and simply promote their view and viewpoint to those who will listen or read that viewpoint. Same goes to your viewpoint. 

What does it accomplish by arguing constantly with those who cannot, will not or refuse to listen to your viewpoint? Nothing but conflict. If you live and breathe to be in conflict then this is your game. This is how flame wars begin and propagate. The love of the conflict is what drives them now, not the viewpoint or the facts - those are merely the excuses used to continue the conflict, disagreement or disagreeable situation. You can't convince those who believe and will not change their viewpoints that all depend on how well one present their viewpoint and facts in support. 

Once of the principles, i.e. fundamental principles of martial systems, is economical movement. This applies to presentation of viewpoint as well. You give the viewpoint, you provide facts to support that viewpoint, you listen to the counter points with supporting facts, you either accept or reject those viewpoints and facts with an open-mind and then you move on and leave those with differing viewpoints to live their lives as they have seen fit and forget them to focus on those of like minded viewpoints - leave the conflict that cannot be resolved with those who fail to change their viewpoints for what ever reason and focus on those who will listen with an open mind. More productive and efficient that way and lives up to the ideals of martial arts way, karate-do and the fundamental principles of martial systems of which you practice, train and apply. 
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