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.

Attention to Detail

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Attention to details is a corner stone to martial arts and especially to self-protection/defensive martial skills... until attention to detail is not and hinders applicable skills in the heat of violence. 

When I first enter one's dojo I take a look around, in as much detail orientation as possible, to see the attitude that represents the attentiveness to details of said dojo. Not that a detail like wrinkled uniforms, uneven and extra long obi ends and a badly tied obi makes a difference in how you apply those skills in sports or combative professions or self-protective defenses but it does speak to the attentiveness and detail orientation and attitudes of those who practice, train and follow the way of the martial disciplines. 

Likening to the Marines whose detail orientation is pretty darn detailed as many of us Leathernecks can attest when a Drill Instructor performs corrective instruction on a recruit who fails to be attentive to the details involved in boot camp. All through my career attention to detail was stressed not because it made a difference in applying skills in successful combat but because of the concepts and mind-state it fosters, enhances and builds on that are used in combat. 

There is an Admiral who gives a commencement speech to a graduating Navy class about things that make for success in the discipline involved where the mere effort and attention to detail in making ones bunk/rack/bed every single day represents and symbolizes. Inspirational to say the least and why one must develop that attention to detail. After all, https://youtu.be/pxBQLFLei70

Tasks as the good Admiral states, and I will try to emulate for those who enter the dojo. “Upon entering the dojo we bow, upon entering the change room we remove the old street clothes and don the martial art uniform. Every dojo session we put on the karate-gi with a neat pressed look, clean white uniform, the left over the right then the obi tied expertly every single time to look exact and exacting every single time. Ties with the appropriate crossover in the back; tied with the appropriate knot; tied so that each of the ends that hang down from the knot are exacting and exactly even and of a specific length… not too long and not too short. In short, much like the Admiral’s example of making ones rack (bed) every day and to exact specifications we have accomplished our first successful act of the day, every day of every week of every month of every year. Just think of it, if we made our rack/bed just like the Admiral describes then continue to make our life’s daily details exacting and successfully then enter the dojo and apply those same skills such as dressing in the dressing room then we have achieved a great deal. That and the Admiral’s details of daily success and achievements give us meaning to everything we do. 

“The little things in life matter and if you can’t do the little things right you will never be able to do the BIG things right!”

Go back, give a listen to the Admiral’s speech and then relate it to your life, to your efforts in the dojo and to your overall life philosophy… can you do the little things, can you do the big things, CAN YOU… are you a sugar cookie? :-) 


For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

No comments: