Believe it or not, I'm not trying to get the "Old McDonald Had a Farm" song stuck in your head.  I'm really talking about the slippery-slope of how and why we do the things we do....

I was cruising home tonight with my boy while jamming out to a song by the NewsBoyz, called "Born Again."  We were anxiously getting home to watch a movie and eat some dinner.  As we drove to the last turn, I noticed a homeless man sitting on the road.  He appeared to have been there for some time. 
As we made the turn, my head and heart began asking me "what are you doing..." you are singing a song about being reborn, and here you're more concerned about the movie you want to watch than a man who needs help.  I turned the car around and went to the man and asked if he needed anything - food, bed, shower, etc.,  the man said, "I'm just hungry..."

I drove back down to McD's and picked up some food for the gentleman, along with some snacks. 
I'm sharing this story, more so because I'm saddened at my initial reaction - I drove right by the man and didn't think much of it.  I am reminded of the Bible verse, where Christ says, "when you provide for one of the least of these, you did it for me...."  I was saddened by my initial reaction, that I wouldn't have the instinct to immediately stop and help. 
I have a long way to go in my training.  As soke says, I'm still licking the outside of the watermelon.   May God give each of you the insight, peace, and compassion to respond instinctively to anyone who needs help, by showing compassion and lending a helpful hand.

God's Peace,

KJN

If you've studied the arts for any length of time, you've probably come across a term known as "mushin."  At first glance, it seems to be a rather escoteric idea.  "No mind" is often the connotation people equate to the term. 

How do you "play" your martial arts training?  More importantly, how do you "play" your every day life?  If you read my blog post on "being transformed," I'm going to pull this particular  consideration into that lesson by the end.

It is a good day today (as is every day). I woke this morning with a sense of vigor and energy because we are going to test our third group of folks (total of 7) to 1st or 2nd degree black belt beginning tonight!

Tonight, I was planning on having kids do a "push/pull" game called land mine.  Basically, they grab ahold of each other, as if to do a judo entry, and attempt to unbalance their partner and make them step on one of the 5-6  "land mines."  Having a good, sturdy foundation and "rooted" stance/feet are key to being successful.

This past week, I began introducing the new kids to off balancing techniques for their upcoming throws, and it was rather interesting to watch how some of the kids are "wolves in sheep's clothing."

Throughout life, we all seek a variety of different tangible and intangible things. Two unseen, but critically important qualities we seek, are the feeling of being secure – or safe, and also significant – that you matter- your feelings, emotions, etc., and are important in this world.

Like all of you, I try to live me life as best I can – according to the Bible.  I pray, I go to church,  abide by the commandments (as best I can), I give of my time, money and effort.   This list of “doing right” could go on and on.  Yet, in my life, I still suffer.

 

When I think of God, I often dwell on the miraculous things He did in the Old Testament. It’s easy for me to think, “God is so huge, so omniscient (all knowing), so powerful, and so busy; he can’t possibly be concerned about every minute detail of my life.”