The doctor says….

After all these years today I finally went to the doctor (a hip specialist ) to see what is going on in my hip area.  As you may know I have been dealing with some pretty major pain in the hip and groin area.  So here is what I found out.  Doctors words were:  Extreme arthritis in the hip.  Bone spurs causing the lack of motion.  Eventually, if not now hip replacement.  But could get a few more years depending on the pain with a bit of anti-inflammatory meds, heat and ice, maybe a cortisone shot.  The cartilage is gone from a major part of the hip socket.

So here is what I think of this.  I am very happy to know that the issues I have are real and not brought on by me not doing something.  It has been with me a long time and now I will just continue to work around them.  I will find something else or another way of doing things.  I am not put off by this, in fact I am a bit relieved.  I will continue to work smart and hard and doing my sparring with one leg and all push kicks.  Can you imagine?  This will be a challenge but I am ready for it.

Ultimate Black Belt Test 09 is half over

I cannot believe that I have not put anything up on this journal for this length of time.  It just shows that we really are creatures ( or at least I am) one that needs to be scheduled and sometimes prodded to do what we commit to do.

The month of June was one of my best physically and we were able to get the new improved website up for our students and all of those that are following our journey.  It may not have been the best month for the student members and I realize my responsibility to keep encouraging them along.  They have been a rock for me in many ways and I really appreciate having them there to help me out with the things you cannot do by yourself and to prod me too.

So the numbers are here at this link.  Totals for the 6 month time frame is here.

June Numbers

Total Numbers

So where do we go from here?  I have a lot that I want to accomplish in the next 7 months.  I am at 5 sets of 65 with my push ups and sit ups.  That is good.  I have not started my boxing or scheduled the self defense course.  That is bad.  I want to get some Kali in and have not started that yet.  That needs to get going very soon.  I am still struggling with getting all the miles in, though June was pretty good on its own.  Acts of Kindness are not getting recorded properly and I need to set the lead in that, especially with this school year coming up and the push I want to make in the school system.

So there is a lot of work to do.  Last Child in the Woods project, teacher instruction, new database with all of our drills in them, the I am project, Living Hero’s etc…

It takes a great deal of focus and concentration to live the life of a master.  I must take one day at a time and do my best every day.  I am still working on the focus thing.  How about you?  Would you focus with me for a month on one thing that we can all do better?  That is how I shall approach the end of this year knowing that I have next year and the Live Like a Champion coming up.  I would love to have you with me on that journey.  We can do more together than we can do alone.  Join me!

Father’s Day

today is fathers day. I can hardly remember my own father. Like most men in their 50’s my dad is no longer with me. In fact he has not been with me for over 40 years. My personal memories are not that great.

I remember his bad health, not working, smoking, calling me stupid, dying. I remember his strong hands, lean body, bald head. I remember the respect others had for him for his artistic talents. I remember him in my mothers arms as he took his last breath.

good week of training

This past week as all weeks had its ups and downs.  I am feeling better in that hip area, though it is still there and nags me, sometimes very sharply.  But a good week of training and topped off with an overnight camping trip with my wife.  (it really was not roughing it, but good to relax)

I have been thinking about where I am now in all aspects of my life. 

Daily reflection

This weekend I took off from all physical activity, less the lawn mowing and there was that one 5 mile bike ride.  But other than that not too much.  I spent the weekend working on some writing, planning, reading and time with Karen, my wife.  This made me stop to think that I have not had much to say about the books I am reading.  The one I am reading at this time is called: Awakening the Buddhist Heart.

One of the suggestions that it makes is that we reflect on four basic thoughts

Your influence on others

On our phone call today Tom Callos emphasized to us again how the process that we are going through and all of the things we are doing is not about us -  it is about the influence we have on others.  What are we doing to inspire others to act.

He told us again that it is not about the projects that we as instructors accomplish, but rather the projects that our students dream up and put into action.  It is not about how big they are, but rather about the ‘taking action’ that counts.

In the coming school year there are some changes coming as I continue to tweak the work we are doing.   The focus will be on moving others to take action and I encourage everyone who may read this not only to take action but be the catalyst of others actions.  More on this as we get through the summer months.

Acts of Kindness

One of the requirements of our journey this year is to do two acts of kindness for a team member anonymously.  I have wondered for quite a long time what I would do.  I have finally thought of something that I believe will be a contribution to the ones who receive it.  The cost per item is a little high, so it is not something I can do for the whole team, but i am choosing two individuals.

Now of course I cannot tell you what this will be – it is anonymous.  But this entry is to let you know that I will fulfill this requirement.

Learning from injury

For the last week or so I have been dealing first with just discomfort and then “I can hardly walk”, injury in the hip / groin area.  In dealing with this I have to remember the reminder we have received from Tom Callos so many times that if you have an injury or you cannot do something – improvise -  find something else you can do and keep moving forward.

Physical report @ 5 months

At 5 months here is a report on my injuries, what is hurting and what is doing really better than expected.  Also two things I need to focus on this next few months.

Who is on your team?

Today was a good of training starting with the adult morning class followed by some training with the team with me in the UBBT training. To see the results go to My Results for May. I have asked each person in the class to think about the team they have around them to help them achieve their goals, dreams or whatever they would like to do.

While our family is our most important team, as adults