"If I seek to live my life by any words, it is these: Grace Under Pressure." - River Emrys, Bay Jiu-Jitsu

Guy Behind the GI: River Emrys advises us all to laugh more.

Read:  Jiu Jitsu University, by Saulo Ribeiro
Watch: Roy Dean
Train: Bay Jui-Jitsu, Oakland, CA; Sangha Training Center, Elizabeth City, NC; Crossroads BJJ, Waterford, CT

Day 8 - 2346

Revelations tonight...

The Scorpion and theFrog

A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back.

The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too."

The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream, the scorpion stings the frog.  

The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"

Replies the scorpion, "It’s my nature..."

Nature of Things

Two monks were washing their bowls in the river when they noticed a scorpion that was drowning.

One monk immediately scooped it up and set it upon the bank. In the process he was stung. He went back to washing his bowl and again the scorpion fell in. The monk saved the scorpion and was again stung. 

The other monk asked him, "Friend, why do you continue to save the scorpion when you know its nature is to sting?"  

"Because," the monk replied, "to save it is my nature."

Day 7 - 2359

How quickly old routines and immediate desires halts progress.  Of all new commitments made this week, I've only achieved 100% on writing these entries daily.  Something to hold on to.  Still a chance tomorrow to make 4 of 7 on all the rest, succeeding more than not. 

Sleep, the top commitment, remains the hardest to achieve.  Intense evening exercise classes don't help.  Trying to quickly squeeze everything in the evening hours not a good bed routine either.  Will have to figure out a new routine for next week.  One that's more calming in the evening.

Perhaps this order next week: class, spinach smoothie, guitar, shower, relaxation pose, bed.  Still seems too much.  Perhaps certain activities on different weekdays instead of attempting 7x/week.

Six minutes over.  More later. 

Day 6 - 0002

Just BJJ and tending to kids tonight.  No studies or music.  Not even close to hitting 10:30 pm turn in time.  Will review, reflect, and adjust over the weekend.  Movie trivia: "Progress, not perfect."

Day 5 - 2220

Getting later.  Falling behind.  Took night off from normal routine to kick back with kids and watch Young Justice League, Season 2.  Right choice for middle of the week.  Got up early this morning for scriptures and work.  Skipped Parkour to share dinner out with MK.  Right choice.  Fit in guitar practice and reading as well.

TUNING IN TO YOU, Scott Belsky: www.scottbelsky.com

"Take time to experience the flip side of connected, intentional activity- to disengage from the stream and truly be present in the now - is crucial to the well-being and performance of creative minds."  No music, no electronics, no company.  Try it.  Learn from Jeff Bezos' example of carving out unstructured time to explore, learn, and think.  Casually explore.  Follow your whim.  Think big.  Preserve pockets of time to unplug - perhaps a couple of hours in the morning a few days a week.

Cultivate serendipitous moments.  "The greatest value of any experience is often found in its seams."  Recognize when you're turning to your device for the wrong reasons. Become more aware of the insecurity that pulls you away from the present.  Leave your phone in your pocket.  Be in the moment.  Be uncomfortable.  Unplug from your portable distractions.  Plug in to the present.  Discover, recognize, and train yourself to see potentially life changing encounters. 

Seven minutes over blog time.  Thirteen minutes (and counting) past bed time.  Signing off.