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.

Judgements

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

This is something we all do every single day of our lives, we make judgements and what is most important is how we make or come to such judgements. Like all things in the universe there is the yin of it and the yang of it. A word today heard was the impetus for this article, "wallowing." You hear the word wallowing what is the first thing that comes to mind, is it positive or negative. I have to admit, for me, the first thought was a negative as if one who wallows is actually whining and crying about something. In truth, wallowing is yin and yang too because it has a lot of positivity to it when used properly. 

So, judgements should come from a place that results in positivity, growth and evolving into something better than the moment before. In karate, we judge a lot and in that judgement often it comes from a place used for promotions, rank and dojo-status. It is the very way we teach and it can be damaging because while we teach we are in a state of constant judging of those who would follow us. 

Let's say it, "people are used to being criticized to the point when no one steps in to criticize, people will self-criticize. We all know that a constant self-criticism is not a good thing and like all things in nature it should be dolled out in moderation. We do need both sides of the yin/yang to be balanced and complete but we humans often side with the self-criticizing side. 

In karate, nothing is wrong and nothing is absolutely right either (why some professionals use the phrase, "It depends."). If you find yourself constantly criticizing and correcting from a stand point of something is wrong you may want to readdress how you are teaching. You can be critical but in ways that result in positivity and that is most difficult to do since we and society have fallen into a criticizing posture and attitude. 

I have tried to convert my tendency to judge in the negative by telling myself when I come across things that I may not agree with and tell myself, "How can I convey my thoughts, idea's and theories on the subject in a positive way and without judgement?" One way is to look at everything as of some benefit then bring in other thoughts, etc., under the heading of, "what-if" so that we don't attack one's beliefs but provide a possible divergent way of thinking of the same thing.

All to often I hear people say and post and write, "your wrong or that isn't correct or what your doing is not karate or whatever," when to truly inspire change, the only constant to life and karate, is to present it is such a way as the recipient makes the decision to change without coercion from outside their belief system. 

If we look at everything with the lens of its positive nature then use that to discover other views, perspectives and ways to improve and change with beneficial effects, i.e., a win-win type of thing, then we inspire others to consider, analyze, test and possibly change - for the better of them and others. 

Trying to not judge is hard especially since the very fabric of modern society is to judge so it will be one of those things that require a constant awareness and effort to keep it out of the realm of judgmental behavior and in the light of possibilities. 

The next time you read a comment that trips your emotional trigger and beliefs take a moment to consider what it is about it that could be true, at least true to that person. Ask yourself, would my response be positive and non-judgmental? Then ask if your response is "necessary; true; positive; kind?" Then create a response that would simply provide a different perspective without slamming, criticizing and denigrating others as to their perceptions, not yours, and see what happens. 

I have been working on this a long time and most of those who read my efforts will tell you that I miss the mark a lot and that in that lot there are many, many times I am successful. I self-reflect when things miss the mark and I give myself just desserts when I am on the mark and then I make a concerted effort the next time I begin clacking away at my keyboard, pen/pencil and recorder. 


Note: the next time a student does something try looking for what they have correct, right and well-done then let them know that there are other ways to do the same thing and show/demonstrate/guide them to add to what it is they already know. "That's really good, try doing this the next time you practice it and let me know what you think?" Then show them; demonstrate to them; have them do it with you; repeat several times (three or five); then let them work on their own for a while. 

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

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