A Lifetime's worth of growth, wisdom and knowledge


It has long been suggested that by training in the martial arts one can develop increased will, increased confidence, the ability to reduce stress, greater strength, flexibility, increased energy, heightened mental awareness (both focus and memory), the ability to protect yourself and loved ones, increased coordination, and so forth. You need only do a quick internet search or look through the yellow pages of a phone book to see all the espoused benefits of the martial arts. While I find many of the promised benefits to be at least partially true; I do however find that some of the promises are not completely accurate. Unfortunately, this mystique has also brought forth a plethora of charlatans, and “businessmen” interested only in getting rich by “selling the secrete killing art of such-and-such”. Some of these offers and scams are quite obvious and read like the advertisements that at one time appeared in the back pages of comic books. Others are subtler, and much more difficult to detect. If someone is selling you the “secret ingredient” be very cautious or even quickly proceed in the opposite direction. Unless the secret sauce contains ingredients such as: hard work, dedication, discernment, and time. If it does, then you have truly found something worth pursuing. A healthy skepticism is often the best way to glean the value of what's being presented—challenge it; prove it wrong, if you can. That creates engagement, which is the key to understanding.

This blog will contain many of the lessons that I have learned or things I have witnessed during my lifetime. It also contains nearly four decades of research. That aside, if we assert that the grand total sum of all martial arts knowledge is a yardstick then my understanding is less than one inch. There is a lifetime’s worth of knowledge and wisdom to learn and admittedly, I have much more to learn. Even as I increase my knowledge, I realize that the subject continues to be bigger, wider and deeper than previously thought. My point is, the sum of my martial knowledge will certainly differ from yours and others in quantity, depth and quality. It would be arrogant and foolish to assume that I know more than you the reader. As such, my intent is to humbly share the little knowledge I have gained. Furthermore, I encourage the you to compare the material that I am presenting with your own experience, conscience, culture and knowledge. Apply a healthy bit of skepticism, challenge this material. 

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