Yesterday morning I took a Jiu Jitsu class. My good friend & training partner, Tony, teaches at my school once a week. He asked the class if they remembered the move he had taught the week before. Even though many of them were there and Tony tried to explain it, they barely remembered it at all. I, being the seasoned veteran I am, boldly declared that I remembered the move, which was a guard pass.
Tony picked me to be his dummy and began to review the details of the move with the class. He was barely two steps into the demonstration when I realized I had forgotten numerous details. I knew the idea of the move, but as far as the details, I was lost. Thank God I did not have to show it! Read more...(995 words, 3 images, estimated 3:59 mins reading time)
When I was in grade school, I remember some of the crazy perceptions I had. One of these was that only people born with innate special talents in something were successful in it. For instance, if I played basketball and did not have some immediate success, I figured I was not meant for the game. Based on what I was taught, mistakes were not a good thing. They meant you were not good at something. They were a sign of failure. Read more...(550 words, 1 image, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)
Tony Robbins is one of my favorite Orators. He really emphasizes many of the points I strongly believe in, especially the idea of pursuing what you love. Nothing is more important to our well being than doing something we love each day.
Things are getting rough. This past week has been a nightmare financially. Back in June, when I did my first commercial pro-bono with the hope of getting more work from it, I knew it would effect the upcoming month. However, when you take a month a ‘free’ project, it can have a negative outcome on your finances.
So was it all worth it?
Isn’t that what I’ve been writing about these past months? How following your dreams is worth it. How no matter what anyone else says, just follow your heart. I have been riding the happy bus for 3 months now, giving every reason imaginable for readers to be inspired to follow their own dreams. Now things look cloudier than ever. Read more...(490 words, 1 image, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)
Each of us face our own unique adversities on a daily basis. They can range from simple, minor difficulties with small consequences, to giant misfortunes with catastrophic ramifications. Many people try their best to avoid adversity, but it is inevitable we will all have to face the music sometime or other.
When I was younger, I got into a couple of fights that taught me some great lessons in handling adversity. One day at a high school party, a younger kid named Frank and I were hitting on the same girl, joking back and forth, trying to see who she liked more. Well, one of Frank’s friends, Jay, decided it should not be a joke. One word lead to another and before I knew it, I had this little dude talking all kinds of smack to me. Read more...(1165 words, 1 image, estimated 4:40 mins reading time)
In Jiu Jitsu, life is all made pretty clear right on the mat. You can always tell if a new guy is going to last by the way they handle competition. Those who thrive on winning, and throw temper tantrums when they lose, never last too long. Instead of learning the most consistent ways to be effective, they spend the entire time trying to find cheap, lucky ways to win.
The people who last in Jiu Jitsu typically react to winning and losing exactly the same. If you looked at their face right after a match, you wouldn’t be able to tell the outcome. They lose, they move on. They win, they move on. Either way, they are just happy to be competing. Read more...(536 words, 1 image, estimated 2:09 mins reading time)
One of the benefits of living in the information age is the availability of inspiringstories right on your computer. These inspiringpeople all seem to have one trait in common: They never take the ‘reality’ of a situation into consideration. They simply follow their innate desires, ignoring the entire world’s doubts, fears, and reservations. To them, those thoughts are worthless.
All that matters is their own belief in themselves.
Nothing encompasses this message better than the following story. It makes you wonder: what else may be possible? My guess is anything at all. Happy Fourth Of July to everyone. Enjoy the extended weekend.
I read an article on Yahoo the other day about how another 100 brand new species were discovered recently. I was intrigued that so many new species could be discovered in today’s technologically advanced world. Doing some further research, I learned a shocking piece of news:
In real life, nearly 15,000 to 20,000new species are discovered each year. According to a recent report from IISE and its partners, 2006 saw 16,969 species named-the first time in scientific literature. (from here)
Think about it. In 2008, even after the invention of all this modern technology that is rapidly shrinking the world, over 15,000 new species are discovered each year. That’s right, over 15,000 and I’m not just talking about some remote, hidden species. This includes frogs, bats, plants, insects, fish, dinosaurs and more. Last year, a brand new species of mushrooms were discovered on Imperial College’s campus in London, right under everyone’s nose! Read more...(386 words, 2 images, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)
Today, after training this morning, I was driving home by myself. My Jiu Jitsu school is located about a good 25 minutes away from my house. The ride is quiet, through the backroads and farmland of North Brunswick, Jamesburg, Monroe Township, and Englishtown NJ. There is not much to see except some old houses and lots of empty land.
I had the radio off and my mind was just wondering. I was trying to drive and type in some notes on my phone to remember some of the thoughts I had. This is not recommended. However, it got me thinking. Most of my blog ideas, my creative inspirations, and all sorts of ideas, come to me during my alone time. Read more...(568 words, 1 image, estimated 2:16 mins reading time)
Tiger Woods is one of the greatest athletes of our time. The man has pushed the boundaries of his sport all while maintaining full integrity with the whole world. He is an inspiration to us all
I came across this Nike Commercial on the net and was floored. As only a father can, Earl Woods explains how Tiger grew to be the man he is. The theme is every dedicated, living dad can make a difference, one child at a time.
