I have been thinking a lot about building and creating habits, and how habits are formed, and how they affect daily life.  And I often reflect upon one of Newton’s laws of physics and how it helps me to illustrate habits and practice especially in terms of "motion" read as "exercise".  

About six months ago I was going really strong working out on a regular schedule, eating healthy, drinking plenty of water.  Then I slowly had a few days of not working out, eating out a…

I am back this week, I started a new job and I haven't had the time to blog about my training. I am finally healthy, no more sinus infection. YaHoo!  Now I get to go at it like I want to. Full steam ahead!

 I am happy to keep going. I would like to say I am very proud of my wife Gosu Jackson for getting her brown stripe. She is a great inspiration. 

It's been a long time coming. I am very excited about being able to test again after a long time off.

I have never forgotten what my goal has been in Martial Arts. Since the day I put it up there, my eye has never been off that Black Belt on the wall.

Setting goals is a very important part of getting anywhere in life. Some goals might be for later today, next week or even…

I had always been told that one of the best ways to stay healthy and maintain a healthy weight was to drink plenty of water.   So I was curious what the research said on how much water was good for you, and why it promotes a healthy weight. 

A 2010 study done by Brenda Davy, PhD where she took 48 adults all on a low calorie diet and divided them into two…

Respect and unity: Mount Si High School assembly unveils students' new attitude, acronym campaign

Feb 15 2011, 1:16 PM · 

   This week my fiancee, Rita, started going to Physical Therapy for a few minor aches and pains that have been bothering her for a while.  I've been interested in body mechanics and muscular movement for a while and have been giving serious thought about going back to school to become a physical therapist; so I went with her.  I wanted to see what she was prescribed to do, see what other people were doing, and I wanted to be able to support her. 

   I've have had fairly decent…

Expect there to be one or more experienced teachers on the floor in your child’s class. Expect the teacher to, at times, appear to have the patience of Job. Expect a bit more, Oh how shall we say it? ENERGY, every so often. Expect the teacher, whether gently guiding everyone along or cranking up the troops, to wear a smile (a happy one!).  



Expect a lot of talk…

"The Gratitude exercise is a powerful tool for increasing life satisfaction because it amplifies good memories about the past, and it forges a very strong bond with an important person from your past. The goal of this exercise is for you to experience the power of expressing your gratitude to someone who has touched your life."  as written by someone at the reflexsivehappiness.com  (web site no longer working)

At the end of the post, below,  is a video of Dr Martin Seligman,…

About a year ago, I stopped drinking diet soda.  I have become more conscious of my choices regarding not only sugar substitutes, but also the amount of sugar in everyday products.  I was surprised when reading the labels how many items have sugar, or sugar substitutes in them including things such as tomato sauce. 

Here is an article showing the most recent research on the effects of sugar substitutes.  I found it really interesting.

 …

It’s this simple:  Children defend themselves with their heads. It’s knowledge that protects children in today’s world. Knowledge about safety, about what to avoid, about what to do, where to go, and how to stay out of harm’s way. 



We are a part of a remarkable association of martial arts teachers, really forward thinking and action-oriented instructors, who come…

In the martial arts, to make true and worthwhile progress, you would do well to have a few "things." 



One of those things is patience. Patience means you look at the long-term benefits of steady, consistent training; not too hard and not to easy, but training that’s varied, interesting, and --eventually --both meditative and challenging. 



Another thing is the big picture view. Your martial arts practice should not be limited to --or even predominately on --the…

Just the other day a parent asked me if she thought my classes promoted violent behavior in young boys. She was inquiring about lessons for her son and was concerned that he and his friends might take what they’re learning and use it inappropriately.



I thought it was a fine question.



Yes, there have been a few cases (very few) of students…

 Lately I've been doing a lot of extra reading on communication. What you feel and why or how you communicate  it to others. There is a ton written on best way to go about this.... Practice with me, if you will- motivation to be truthful, patient, understanding, respectful and kind........ the list goes on and on.   

I am learning to choose my words thoughtfully and carefully.... they are words that will last forever with another person.  

Maybe it has happened to you before…. Your daughter is scheduled for her first dance lesson, martial arts class, or soccer game and you get her to the class or the field and she freezes!  She just doesn’t want to get into the class or step on to the field!  Your son’s first baseball game is Saturday and he’s been talking about it all week..”I can’t wait to hit the ball, I can’t wait to run the bases, I can’t wait.”  Then when the time comes to get his baseball uniform on he refuses! Or how…

Please, if you don't know what to say, or how to say it, let me know.  I would be happy to help.  But the story I read today, is unfortunately not uncommon.  6th graders:  read below.

I will make sure to post more blogs on talking to your kids, and how to educate them to prevent this kind of problem for them.  

9 School Kids Take Pills, Rushed To Hospital

IT's belt testing time!!!  One of the things that I look most forward to is the Belt Test.  Not sure why...i guess there are a few reasons.  Watching all of the students demonstrate what they have learned in past months is fun to see.  Thinking about them learning the steps to the poomses  and gradually learning the Chung Kals; and recounting the times we all have repeated those steps is near impossible.  However, watching everyone on testing day provides a sense of satisfaction.  All of the…