What I've learned from my teachers, and my training

Not one thing is more important than another if it's part of the whole of who you are...

...the same goes for the following. They are not in any particular order, or order of importance.

- Breathing is essential. You don't breath, you die. If you're dead, you're not growing, evolving, or becoming better because you're not living. So Breath to live, & breath to grow

- Breathing connects the mind and body to work as one, so that the body can do what the mind intends...whatever you put your mind to within your abilities, you can do, & achieve.

- "Work with what you got, not with what you wish you had!" - Sijo DeMile

- Consciously breathing allows you to relax more, thus allowing you to be more aware of what's going on with you, and the world around you, by connecting your mind's focus to you, and thus inabling you to focus around you; increasing your awareness.

- When I was a kid, whatever followed "Once upon a time..." either grabbed my attention or didn't. The way you set-up, the way you start, sets the tone for everything else that follows, and how it unfolds. Before you act, make sure you're happy with the results that will logically follow how you start.

- Focus can make everything come into alignment so that the effort you put out doesn't have to be difficult or dramatic; making it all come together almost effortlessly.

- It doesn't matter what you know, or what you can do. If you don't believe in YOU, then it is all YOU-sless.

- Lingering on things too long makes you stuck in time, unevolving, incapable of adapting; Frozen. It's easier to hit, or be hit, if the target or you is "frozen". Keep moving

- Maintaining the core of who you are, your structure, doesn't mean you can't be adaptive, or learn to go with the flow. So long as you don't sacrifice the core of who you are, or "structure", you won't lose yourself when you go with the flow.

- For every situation, there's always more than one way to respond, in fact there's always at least 2 ways. So before you settle for one way to react, don't settle because it's the first thing you came up with and therefore you're easily comfortable with it; you may find a more productive, efficient, or practical alternative that isn't something you're comfortable with, but well worth the effort to make that reaction a habit. Don't forget, to explore all options, and really give each option a shot at being experienced

- Sometimes to improve your chances of getting the results you want, you can't wait for things to come to you, you gotta throw yourself out there.

- If they give, you accept. If they take, you deliver.

- "Energy is Universal". - Ron Ogi

- Don't limit yourself, use all of you.

- Meeting strength & aggressive attitude with equal energy is foolish. Compliment that energy, or attitude by redirecting, or moving out of it's way.

- Listen to your gut, your instincts. If it has to do with your safety, you are most likely right.

- Just because it feels like it's strong because you feel yourself using all of your effort, doesn't mean you'll get the maximum results. Sometimes less is more, creating maximum results, with minimal effort.

- The more attention I've given, the more rewards I've received in return.

-Every house has a foundation. That foundation allows for a framework. A framework that can be arranged in numerous possible arrangements and will support walls, windows, doors, and a roof in just as many ways. Principles are the foundation that gives you the freedom for creativity, and individuality. Before one can be creative, ample amount of time must be spent on creating the foundation. Don't use a foundation for an outhouse to build your mansion.

- Without goals, you won't have direction to focus your efforts. The Journey is important, but so is keeping in mind your goal, where you're going; otherwise you're just enjoying walking in place and facing different directions.

- Dabbling in many things is fun, it's living life. But at least be close to a master of one, rather than the proverbial Jack.

- Discrimination is limiting, why should the weak, unathletic, and elderly be discriminated against when it comes to self-defense? Aren't they the ones who need it the most?! Self-defense should be unlimiting

- Patience is important. The body must be ready before it can be taught more. The Mind must be "mature" enough to be able to see the big picture.

- By focusing on the center, the core of it all, you will not be distracted with what's on the outside, which can be a facade. In actuality you can see the beginning and the cause for what makes up the actions that eventually lead to that facade, and deal with it appropriately.

- You can be a master of yourself. Don't let any negative suggestions, especially from yourself, tell you otherwise.

- The loud ones who speak as if they know, don't really know. And the quiet ones who only speak when necessary, or asked, do know

- We have been raised by culture and media to think life has to be difficult. If you're going to work towards something, work towards making things refined, efficient, and gradually easier, not exponentially harder.

- What good is what you do now, if it only works for now. In a moment, Now will become then.

- What matters most, is how you effect others. No one cares about what awards you've won, what accomplishments and failures you've accumulated over the years. At their death beds, people don't think about sports champions, famous people, or how much stuff you've aquired; they think about their loved ones and those that have personally made a positive effect on them.

- Legacy, is how you interact, not a hand me down of family heirlooms or certificates.

To Sijo James DeMile, Irene DeMile, Ron Ogi, Lonnie Williams, my family and all those i've interacted with classmate/student/friends...Thank you for what you've taught me; you are all my teachers.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!