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We are ‘pattern spotters’ …

We are hardwired to seek and out and recognise patterns … in all facets of life. Some people see the virgin Mary’s face in a loaf of bread or in a slice for toast - there is nothing divine about this of course, it is just that ‘facial recognition’ is crucial to human/infant survival - and so we grow up very, very sensitive to finding ‘faces’ of all kinds, in nature, even in hot cross buns and clouds. It naturally follows that we spot patterns in things/areas/landscapes that we are interested in.   I like seeking out the patterns that exist in BJJ. Without such patterns, BJJ can seem like a huge pile of unrelated techniques - very messy, very, very confusing - particularly for the novice (but actually for many black belts as well). In fact very often, the more people learn, the greater their confusion becomes.   Once we identify certain patterns, certain concepts, a lot of the confusion goes away and things ‘fall’ into place. For example: Take knee-slice passing - there are many,
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The Torrent ...

We are living in the age of information ... our ancestors didn't have enough information, but today we may sometimes come up against the problem of being bombarded with too much information. A torrent of info is the 'new norm' for the youth of today ... but how to sort the fact from fiction, the useful from the useless? Different challenges. But hey ... I'll not say 'no' to information ... we just need to develop the skill of being able to 'make distinctions'.
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Martial Artists as Role Models? Not necessarily!

Martial artists are no more likely to be good role models than a chef, a baker or any other artisan … It’s the individual that may or may not choose to live and ethically and morally upright life - sometimes that particular kind of person is a chef, sometimes a carpenter … and every now and then, a martial artist. As martial arts coaches - as is the case of teachers of all sorts - we do have an opportunity to present ourselves as good role-models for others; but this should n ever be assumed. I have seen some extraordinarily bad behaviour from some very prominent martial artists. As a consequence, I now have zero expectations on that front. In my own Academy, I choose to avail myself of the unique opportunity that I have; the opportunity to influence others positively and in a way that, might just result in some of my students living more positive, joyful and fulfilling lives. I try never to preach one thing - and yet do another; I try to be congruent with what I say and how I live my
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Aspirations …

As a child there seemed to be an almost endless number of people who I aspired to, be like. My father, super-heroes on the TV, sporting legends, etc. As a teenager, my role-models changed - as I myself changed. As a young man, I began to read more and so again, my role models changed; historical figures entered the fray … and my choices grew. As a more mature and experienced human being, I now find myself being a role model for others … a somewhat disquieting t hought, if I am to be totally transparent. My question is a simple one: Am I really worthy of the role? I try to be. I try to think about things; I try to be clear on the rationale supporting my various beliefs; I try to be open to new ideas, thoughts and positions; I try to be kind to others; I try to continually better myself and fan the flame of curiosity that burns within; I try to be a good husband and father and friend; I try to be of value to others and the community; but is this enough? I feel that the ‘ideal’ that we st
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Agility …

As an individual, carving out my own approach to doing ‘life’ - I have the luxury of being able to re-invent my thinking, my approach, my methodology, etc - as I go - and this kind of ‘agility’ has allowed me to get where I want to go, and get the results I want to get - despite taking a faulty step every now and again.   More traditional pathways - getting a university degree and then finding a job for example … are fraught with difficulties when it comes to things like keeping up with current thinking - or implementing ideas of our own. At university, a curriculum might possibly be out-of-date before even the first year of a three or four year degree is completed.   Large organisations tend to be slow-to-adapt, change and evolve. As a single entity, I can wake up with a new way of thinking about something and try to implement that right away.   Being overly-invested in the way we do things - or the current set of skill-sets we may possess - may inhibit us from being agile and
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Create your ‘new normal’ ...

Work hard. Train hard. Until that becomes ‘normal’. The dial it up a bit until that becomes your new normal. Rinse and repeat. This is how you move away from the ordinary.   I’ve had a lot of martial arts instructors ask me how to improve their training, get better results, live better lives, etc. The answer is as easy as I have already stated. Just teach four private classes and four regular classes a week - plus do your own training. When this becomes ‘normal’ - double it. And again. By then, your ‘normal’ is well out of the ordinary. Do the same with other aspects of our lives.   Create your ‘new normal’.   Pic: with pals Craig Moorfoot and Andrew Bews.
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Injury …

Dealing with injuries isn’t just a part of Jiu Jitsu - it’s a part of life. We are creatures playing ‘rough and ready’ on a spinning ball of water and rock … we have to expect our share of injuries throughout life. We are of course, fortunate in the extreme, in that we now live in a time where we have the miracle of modern medicine on our side. Much of the stuff that would have killed or crippled us 100 years ago, we can attend-to fairly easily now. My son Felix just broke his tooth in training a few days ago … and although it set him back a bit, we know that we’ll be able to get it seen to …. it’s just a part of the job. Life, when played hard, by risk-takers, and by people who won’t let small obstacles hinder their choices and actions, will get scars. There’s an old saying - first through the door is always bloodied’ - and so we accept this as just part of the cost of living a life, more extraordinary than most. If we put our life 'on hold' just because we are injured - we ma
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