Street Sounds

The Journey

To my Friends

Still Walking and Learning

God, grant me the serenityto accept the things I cannot change;the courage to change the things I can;and the wisdom to know the difference.

I have reached a point in my life where I know change is necessary - spiritual change. Ive had a roller-coaster of a life and recent chain of events have taken me to another level and delivered at my door new insights.

It is time to face personal demons!

That is not easy, but it is necessary.

So much is shifting and changing with me this Year. Life has the tendancy to throw its usual challenges into everyones walkway.

perception of ones life either standing still or moving about at its sometimes hectic rate is sometimes very hard to understand. I know Im responsible for my own life regardless of circumstances and this in its purest of definitions applies to the creation of ones moment of existence.
What really kicked off my memory of hearing those words above was the connection to a lesson I received once from an old teacher of mine. He stated that each and every one of us is responsible for what we put out there and especially when it impacts the life or the person of another in whatever way physically or otherwise. Actions, even with the most positive of intents, don’t always have their desired results. How this applies to an emerging sense of the self, I got to thinking really is definitive to the degree of the positive energy that seems to be about right now. As I view my own moments of creation in these days and the new days to come, well, there really isn’t any excuse any longer to revisit the days of the past and what came with them. Those days are gone and with them the energy that walked with them. All that exists in the perception of this moment is this moment, and where I walk along the path of this individual existence is by my choice life is really about moving on.
I remind myself of this as I infuse myself with my own new and yes a re-newed sense of positivity about my own path ahead, even if it’s sometimes mired in a virtual momentary spiritual fogbank as is so often the case day in and day out. After all, things aren’t always all bright and cheery! if they were, it would get awfully monotonous around wouldn’t it?

Along with the challenges I face, come the opportunities and amongst the greatest of these are the act of letting go of the dysfunctions of the past that really did add to the definitions of the moment of life. The responsibility is now a simple decision to re-create that sense of the self that was always yearning to be, but was bogged down by all of that armor denting material that was allowed within my circle.

I want to thank my good friends and my loyal students for understanding that Karate is for everyone; however, everyone is not for Karate.

People may be divided in two groups: those who understand themselves as a metaphor and those who understand themselves as a formula. Those who understand themselves as both are too few to form a group.
— H. von Kleist

Life from a different perspective.

You're a newly born ant. As you grow, you help the colony build its home and ensure the future of the next generation. You understand this is what you were born to do. The world is how you know it, and because of this, you desire nothing more or less of it. You and your colony have explored every inch of this incredible land, and resources are abundant. You eat what you can find, you build what you can with the materials you have, and you thrive on the sun that warms you. Life is sweet.It's evident that the Invisible Shield makes sure the colony doesn't fall off of the world; without it, life would surely cease to exist. You thank it for its existence every day and hope it stays strong. Sometimes you worry because periodic vibrations rattle your home planet. Perhaps the Invisible Shield is weakening. This thought can spark panic and fear sometimes, but the vibrations are part of life, and you cope with it. The vibrations happened again today. Perhaps the Gods are angry. Unbeknownst to you, the sun is actually a lamp. The Invisible Shield is nothing but a plastic container, and the vibrations are simply the results of a human child rapping his finger on the walls. You're an ant in an ant farm, and your entire planet was bought for five dollars at a pet store. The humans give you food and building supplies and created the world you live in. The humans feel powerful, knowing that the made your home for you to live in. They watch you grow and build your colony every day, grinning in self-satisfaction. They may be smiling, but in a different galaxy, a different time, a happy little creature just purchased an Earth kit.

Afterthoughts: This perspective of life has been bugging me for a while, and I desperately needed to get it out of my head. Thoughts?

PS. I'm not saying ants can contemplate philosophy or belieive in gods. I also know many people view God as the creator of life, and nothing in the above scenario implies that humans created ants. It's just some stuff to think about, so please, take it easy on the technicalities because I know you're picking 'em out just as I am. Hope you enjoyed it.

Still Walking

Walking man

Before arriving in Sao Paulo I was warned again and again about how dangerous it was, so naturally I was pretty on edge and prepared for the worst, However not bad at all....imagine this..

With an estimated population of 11,037,593 residents within an area of 1,523 square 588 sq mi, São Paulo is the most populous city in the Southern hemisphere.The city also lies at the center of the heavily urbanized São Paulo metropolitan area, with an estimated 19,889,559 people in it is the largest metropolitan area in the nation. Depending on which definition is used, the São Paulo metropolitan area is ranked as either the first or second most populous in the Americas.

Quality not Numbers

On behalf of the International Brotherhood & Sisterhood of World Sansei, It is with both honor and humility that I present our new organizational path to you. As we introduce you to the history, traditions, principles and ideals of World Sansei and our work, I urge you to investigate our collective mission of social engagement and leadership development. I also offer you the following ....
The organizational experience is notorious for its pitfalls and sometimes it can be an uncomfortable environment. During our early years we encountered situations, people, communities and events that have challenge our fundamental beliefs and foster passionate debate about our place in the world of Karate do. We have grown - physically, intellectually and emotionally - as we determine our path and where it will lead us. During this journey we have been forever transformed. As we traverse that battlefield, however, we are aware of the multiple perils that lie in wait. From my own experience, I am painfully aware that the world of Karate can be stressful at times. Navigating through these experiences is not an easy task. Our Organization was founded, in part, to help in that exact endeavor. what do we do as an organization is to seek to further our development as you pursue your future - to serve as the catalyst for the reaction with which you will impact the world. Thirty one years since our founding, it is apparent that our mission - to this point - needs some changes, As we continue to work toward the promotion of our three pillars - Society, Brotherhood and Remembrance - in the development of a more equitable society within our organizational structure, we seek to train Men & Women who will not only join our efforts but will lead them, bettering our world - and themselves - in the process. As you consider whether you can fulfill the promise of World Sansei as a member of this close-knit Brotherhood & Sisterhood, I ask you to consider the following: What are your dreams? Who do you admire, either as role models or mentors? Where do you want to be in the future, be it four years or forty? What can you do to leave this world better than you found it? As you read this , consider the questions posed above. Whatever the answers may be, I am convinced that World Sansei can only aid you in those pursuits. I thank you once again for taking the time out to learn more about our new direction. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email at :manny_saavedra@yahoo.com

“You never achieve real success unless you like what you are doing.”
Dale Carnegie

Consider a hammer. It's designed to hit nails. That's what it was created to do. Now imagine that the hammer never gets used. It just sits in the toolbox. The hammer doesn't care.
But now imagine that same hammer with a soul, a self-consciousness. Days and days go by with him remaining in the toolbox. He feels funny inside, but he's not sure exactly why. Something is missing, but he doesn't know what it is.
Then one day someone pulls him out of the toolbox and uses him to break some branches for the fireplace. The hammer is exhilarated. Being held, being wielded, hitting the branches -- the hammer loves it. At the end of the day, though, he is still unfulfilled. Hitting the branches was fun, but it wasn't enough. Something is still missing.
In the days that follow, he's used often. He reshapes a hubcap, blasts through some sheet rock, knocks a table leg back into place. Still, he's left unfulfilled. So he longs for more action. He wants to be used as much as possible to knock things around, to break things, to blast things, to dent things. He figures that he just hasn't had enough of these events to satisfy him. More of the same, he believes, is the solution to his lack of fulfillment.
Then one day someone uses him on a nail. Suddenly, the lights come on in his hammer soul. He now understands what he was truly designed for. He was meant to hit nails. All the other things he hit pale in comparison. Now he knows what his hammer soul was searching for all along.

Finding my purpose has been an inside job. It has requiered a deliberate act of my will, to cast aside whatever role anyone might be trying to put in me. I had to put aside images that I have seen in the media about what “should” be right for me. I do not want to be living life in someone else’s truth because that will only lead to further dissatisfaction.

The fires of passion burning at the center of my true purpose will protect me from being burned out. Burnout only comes from a sloppy lifestyle. Burnout is the result of living an outside-in life. You don’t ever get burned out by the inside-out living towards which your purpose and passions direct you. This Journey has me in deep thought about my next move in life.

Burned out people are never living self-directed lives. They are living by other people’s agendas, trying to live up to other people’s expectations. The realization of a genuine purpose always creates energy; it is like adding fuel to the fire. It creates joyfulness and a sense of always being right on the edge of wonderful things that are about to take place. You cannot wait to get out of bed in the morning! You cannot wait to get to your lifes work!

The destination is not the ultimate aim. The joy comes from the journey. Purpose is bound up in the process.

More to come

walking through life

Walking through Life

“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

I keep on Learning..

The Trip Goes On

The Pacific

Hello All

The calling of the seagulls, the crashing of the waves, the sand beneath your feet all parts of summer days.
Little children building castles,or finding rocks and shells; couples walking hand-in-hand, enjoying the ocean's smells.
Horns sounding in the distancesignal a boat is near; dogs barking happily all sounds I love to hear.
All the sights, sounds, and smells entrance me in different ways, because they all mean my favorite place an ocean on summer days.

Cold Summer here

Thoughts

"It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to people than to dominate them, more manhood to abide by thought-outprinciples rather than blind reflex. Toughness is inthe soul and spirit, not in muscles and an immature mind."

- Alex Karras

Sunday, October 4 , 2009

The feeling of Sunday is the same everywhere

Sometimes, when I’m having such a fun, nice, relaxing day, I can’t break out of the rhythm to blog. I definitely missed it, but it was also nice to just be in the moment and enjoy it. Since there is so much ground to cover, I will keep everything short and sweet. Friday - i decided to do some regular tourist stuff! Saturday - woke up pretty early and went for some coffee with some students, then to the seminar.

Wow, I still have a lot to catch up on and recap, so look out for another post!

Have you ever thought of things that make us the same versus the things that make us different?

Many times in our lifetime we might have heard a conversation that goes something like this : “He comes from another generation, that’s why he’s like that…”When you’ve met quite a number of people from different nationalities, more and more you will get to observe the things that make you alike than the things that make you different. No matter where you were born, there are some innate human qualities that make us the same people. And the more you realize this, the easier it will get to understand and accept the other person.Think about it. Your co-worker does not always go to work all sugar and spice, and everything nice .. We all have our bad days. We sometimes go to work with two giant eyeballs from sleeping late the night before. And we also have our “up” days, when it seems like we are the like the Energizer bunny hopping along as we walk the aisles. In short, we all are the same beings.When you work with people from other countries, as in our company, think of how Filipino they are versus how American, Mexican, Ecuadorian, or what have you. I’m quite sure that from their point of view, they are thinking of something similar, trying to understand why we are too shy to admit that we cannot do something, and why we simply say yes because we do not want to lose face….these are some of my thoughts while on this journey..