The lessons of the American Civil War and lessons for the modern martial artist and the art. The American Civil War was a transition from methods centuries old, of human warfare, to new methods of waging war. The similarities of what the Martial Artist face and the challenges of the civil war are lessons from history that should be heeded. The civil war was absolute carnage concerning the loss of life and destruction. The martial arts don’t face such a level of loss, however, listen to the similarities of the transition points. And the warning from William Tecumseh Sherman.

Habit & Acquisition. The Million Dollar Lottery. It’s owed to me, or possibly I forgot?  How the idea of common sense is, as often said, “Not that common.”  $200 bucks is the difference between being legal and illegal in your actions. Habituated behavior and the idea of acquisition. The behaviors we build born of habit and acquisition – both good and bad.

Before we hit the main topic of Mentorship, a little intro to do some house cleaning in respect to listener mail, a big appreciation on my end.  The Teacher. “Bow to your Sensei!”  The difference in the path. Mentor over the teacher?  And do these people deserve our respect? A word and a title have power and separation.  Ranks…how that sits in our body, mind, and spirit.  The 2 ubiquitous reasons for beginning martial arts.  We’re All In This Together – The origami cranes and a person getting exactly what they asked for and their inability to see the gift.

Win or learn are two positions that are mutually exclusive. OK, an exaggeration you can win, and you can learn at the same time, but in most instances, the need to win obfuscates the learning. In a room full of martial artists – fledgling ones the idea was put to the test until a Retired United States Marine intervened and made the evening’s events sooth out like warm butter on hot corn.  In the, We’re All In This Together section. The clarity that comes from having your priority’s in order – The love and the blood.

The 5 Items I wish I had known. A classic rock band lays down the foundation for the podcast.   The humanity of people rises thought the achievements and demigods.  The style is not the most important of the expression a martial art, it is often not the material, but the teacher. One of my greatest weaknesses – oh I hope it is not your weakness, because it caused a lot of pain in my world. Movement is essential, but something else is at least just as important.

The Faces – Ooh La La (1973) –https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_xwnb3cymc

A moment at a Pizza Parlor changes a perspective highlighting a healthy discipline. Dealing with loss and tragedy.  And how a discipline, a healthy discipline can be part of the saving formula. It is not the total formula but it is ours, and it is rare among the folks out there. And if you choose to access the formula, we are often better – it may take time – but better, yes.

The Kardashians.  I don’t get the inside jokes, but sadly I know who they are, and they can buy and sell me more times over than I can comprehend. Some lessons from history as well and a perspective on Status Without Responsibility. A few ideas you may want to consider in respect to your leadership role and aiding others is garnering the strongest status as possible.  Plus, some explicit actions you may want to consider in building people so as to have a responsibility, status and a full and complete understanding of where they stand.  In the final section called, We’re All In This Together, The topic is KISS and the “The cops are stupid,” equals a full on win in Dad land.

Here is a link to a fan shot video of the opening song of the show that night: KISS Tacoma Dome 2019

That’s not the way to do kata. Am I learning because I want it correct? You should get used to Polio again. Information is conveyed in absolute high fidelity, no exceptions across time – I even laugh when I wrote that statement, impossible.  What is the role of correctness, preservation or utility?  Well it all depends on your goal doesn’t it, the determination of what is accurate.  “The Sound of Silence.”  the greatest song from Simon and Garfunkel and how quality can cross platforms. This is the way one may choose to view kata and practice. And another visit from the One Inch Sensei. The, We’re All In This Together, Section of the podcast. How a judge and boxing referee saved a kid from a life of hurt and failure.

The lateral move. A circuit breaker simplified. How I tried to explain, demonstrate and teach the lateral move for tweeners in hopes they would be able to understand the lateral move, learn how to use it and how to prepare for the use in a simple, not too threatening situation, you know a playground situation of pushing, shoving, and the occasional choke.  A couple of examples in a top-line review what the dance is that leads to the need for a lateral move. And then my horrifically failed, deeply flawed attempt to share this skill played out. Enjoy the provided laughs as I recount my frustrating, albeit comical effort. In the We’re All in This Together section – The Legends of the Masters.

Have a cool head, and

a fiery heart and how a hockey player dropping the gloves is a simple chore if

seen and experienced. The three phases of the anger dance and simple identification of the most important

element of the three parts.  Then the

correct action is, of course, your

choice.  The idea of owning and not being

owned is also addressed. Then a real-world example of insanity brought on by uncontrollable

anger, or rage maybe?  You judge after listening

to the story.  Here’s a video if you care

to follow-up http://mynorthwest.com/1270747/seattle-driver-arrested-in-snowball-road-rage-incident/