CONTROL

CONTROL

“By constant self-discipline and self-control you can develop greatness of character.” Grenville Kleiser

con·trol

[kənˈtrōl]

NOUN: the power to influence or direct people's behavior or the course of events:

    "the whole operation is under the control of a production manager" · [more]

    synonyms: jurisdiction · sway · power · authority · command · [more]

Control, at first, sounds rather restricting doesn’t it? Something or someone that is ‘controlled’, seems to be monitored, restrained, perhaps, even against it’s will. The beauty of control lies (like many other aspects of life)

within the perspective of the one perceiving it. For instance, to one person, being on a meal plan could be too ‘controlling’ for them, dictating what to eat, how much to eat, when to eat, and so forth. To another, a meal plan with those same aspects would be deemed a Godsend. It’s all a matter of perspective.

Today, I would like to focus on control in a positive sense, in three key areas: 

1. Self
2. Eating habits
3. Training

Of course, we could literally go on to address literally every aspect of life, in regards to control, but for the sake of narrowing it down for TIGHT purpose’s, we shall begin with these.

Self-Control: 

This is a huge deal. Volumes can be written on it. Control of self means: Mastering one’s thoughts, mastering one’s emotions, and mastering one’s actions. In other words, when one is consciously aware of what they are thinking, feeling, and doing, and making choices that are in conjunction with one another, and to their overall short and long range goals, they are exercising self-control.

Any time one finds themselves feeling distraught, agitated, depressed, angry, or at the end of their rope, they have allowed their emotions to sweep over them as a wave on the beach, allowing the water to carry them any which way. Emotions of over enthusiasm, and other such ‘over the top’, feelings, can construe things all the same. How many people have done foolish things in the height of excitement, or the ‘adrenaline rush’? Think DERK awards. 

The key is to recognize what one is feeling. Acknowledge where it is coming from, and like many prior topics I’ve written on, use it to your benefit and not destruction. Daily, our choices are either building us, or destroying us. Taking us closer to our goals or farther. Bringing us peace and joy, or pain and misery.

CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK: 

Choose wisely. Examine what’s within you. Respond with intelligence. 

 Eating Habits:

These habits make or break a man. Just as our thoughts, everything we take into the body either builds or destroys, cleanses or clogs, nourishes us or robs one of vital nutrients, and in turn, vital energy.

I notice many people eating on the ‘run’, these days, while driving, in crowded, noisy, fat-food (whoops, I mean fast food), or other restaurants, while talking on the phone, watching television, and so forth. How can this be healthy when done day in and day out. What example does this set for our children and those around us? What many people do not realize is we are not what we eat, we are what we assimilate. When one is eating under such conditions, and/or in a rush, their central nervous system registers as ‘Fight or Flight’ mode. Blood then goes to the extremities for action, not to the gut for digestion, let alone assimilation.

One other area that needs to be addressed under this topic is eating when one is emotionally, or otherwise, upset. The body will not properly digest, nor assimilate. Get emotions in check first, then eat.

CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK: 

Do yourself a favor, and practice proper eating habits. Your body will thank you.

Training:

Control and training…? What? Yes, training is the breeding ground for mastery of self, emotions, and the physical domain. This is what sets TIGHT apart from other programs. Many of my athletes follow more traditional ‘programming’, and have amazing results. The Warriors follow TIGHT BODY’s more aggressive, and advanced protocols. These meld the individual into something, and someone, they formerly would have thought impossible. Many military and elite athlete’s are drawn to this training like a magnet.

You do not need to be a Warrior to utilize and tap into these skills of control. You can simply begin by training your mind to be focused in the gym. The other day, an acquaintance approached me while I was maneuvering 120 lbs. around, yep, my body weight. It didn’t take long for him to realize he didn’t exist. Not in a rude way, but do what you need to do to get the job done. Focus. Exercise control.

When your through with a tough set, teach your mind to be stronger by not dropping the weights on the floor, but rather, gently set them down. When you’re ready to quit something, do another rep, or another set for that matter.

When the burn is so bad after lifting to your personal best, you want to scream, instead, look around and find someone to smile at, and say ‘Goodmorning’.

CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK:

Train to exercise that invisible muscle called self-control.

Have a wonderful week. 

Be strong. Stay strong.

Health!

COMMITTMENT

COMMITTMENT

This is my Commitment: 

To Live up to the Spirit that is Within Me

UNTIL ONE IS COMMITTED THERE IS HESITANCY, THE CHANCE TO DRAW BACK, ALWAYS INEFFECTIVENESS. 

CONCERNING ALL ACTS OF INITIATIVE (AND CREATION), THERE IS ONE ELEMENTARY TRUTH, THE IGNORANCE OF WHICH KILLS COUNTLESS IDEAS AND SPLENDID PLANS: 

THAT THE MOMENT ONE DEFINITELY COMMITS ONESELF, THEN PROVIDENCE MOVES, TOO. ALL SORTS OF THINGS OCCUR TO HELP ONE THAT WOULD NEVER OTHERWISE HAVE OCCURRED. A WHOLE STREAM OF EVENTS ISSUES FROM THE DECISIONS;   

RAISING IN ONE'S FAVOUR ALL MANNER OF UNFORESEEN INCIDENTS AND MEETINGS AND MATERIAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH NO MAN COULD HAVE DREAMT WOULD HAVE COME HIS WAY. 

I HAVE LEARNED A DEEP RESPECT FOR ONE OF GOETHE'S COUPLETS: 

"WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, OR DREAM YOU CAN, BEGIN IT-BOLDNESS HAS GENIUS, POWER, AND MAGIC IN IT." 

Quotation from The Scottish Himalayan Expedition W.H. Murray, published 1951

HONOR

HONOR 

Key Skills to Your Success

honor

noun

1 a man of honor: integrity, honesty, uprightness, ethics, morals, morality, principles, high principles, righteousness, high-mindedness; virtue, goodness, decency, probity, character, good character, scrupulousness, worth, fairness, justness, trustworthiness, reliability, dependability. ANTONYMS unscrupulousness, dishonor.

2 a mark of honor: distinction, recognition, privilege, glory, kudos, cachet, prestige, merit, credit; importance, illustriousness, notability; respect, esteem, approbation. ANTONYMS disgrace.

3 our honor is at stake: reputation, name, good name, good credit, character, esteem, repute, image, standing, stature, status, popularity.

4 he was welcomed with honor: acclaim, acclamation, applause, accolades, adoration, tributes, compliments, salutes, bouquets; homage, praise, veneration, glory, reverence, adulation, exaltation; dated laud. ANTONYMS contempt.

5 she had the honor of meeting the First Lady: privilege, pleasure, pride, joy; compliment, favor, distinction. ANTONYMS shame.

6 military honors: accolade, award, reward, prize, decoration, distinction, medal, ribbon, star, laurel.

7 dated she died defending her honor: chastity, virginity, maidenhead, purity, innocence, modesty; archaic virtue, maidenhood.

HONOR: It is worth the effort to live an honorable life. As you can plainly see, honor has at least 90 characteristics, traits, skills, or blessings that fall directly under it. HONOR.

Some take honor seriously, others do not. Either way, their belief is quickly made manifest in, and throughout, their life. Perhaps, there are areas where one is most honorable, and other areas where it can be completely lacking. 

Strange indeed. 

When one, particularly one seeking Warrior-hood or Success, fails to appropriately address the facets of HONOR, they fall short. One could very well spend an entire lifetime learning to master these characteristics, traits, and skills. The ones who succeed inevitably find success.

Think for a moment, how different the world would be if HONOR was honored in politics alone. Amazing, right? Now, think about HONOR in large corporations, and the world of business, and finance (think Wall Street). 

How would ‘Hollywood’ and entertainment in general, be different if HONOR was honored. Crazy different, right? Think about it, the only movies, etc., we’d have to choose from would be those with healthy morales, clean language, thought provoking themes, and that which provides healthy intellectual stimulation, instead of stimulation of base properties. Imagine how this alone could change the crime rate?

Even the medical field would be drastically changed by HONOR. Think of how many more lives could be saved, and prolonged in good health with HONOR in place, funny right? Not.

What about HONOR in the educational system? This in itself would change collegiate and professional sports playing field.

I’m sorry to say that lack of honor has brought this world as a whole, to a sad place. I believe HONOR is so important, so powerful, that it literally can change the world. When I look at all the above areas, what I believe we’re witnessing is not only a lack of honor, but an utter plan to remove it from society altogether. Yes, ever so subtle, year by year, values are degraded, and before you know it….. we look back and think, “Holy Hannah, that’s a  PG or PG13 movie?” As people, we grow dull watching and listening to this sixth grade level material. Yes, studies show that most t.v. programming and movies are at a sixth grade level. I do not doubt it. Watching the news the other day,  the ‘news professionals’ were acting like they’ were in grade school. 

Imagine if America had a court system that was solely for the purpose of ruling on HONOR. That in and of itself, would take care of a great deal of the unemployment problem.  

Why do I bring this up? Because if you desire to live a satisfying life, full of accomplishment in the true sense of the word, then you must embrace HONOR. 

There is no visible court where your HONOR is on trial, evaluated, and so forth, but internally, there is, and it is up to each one of us to honor it. I always say, “Pay now, or pay later, as you will surely pay one way or the other.” Meaning, pay now by exercising and staying fit, or pay later with poor health, and medical bills. Pay now by putting the effort into your goals, or pay later with regret. 

Pay now by living a life of HONOR, or pay later, sadly, in more ways than you could ever imagine. 

What we can do is live with HONOR in our own lives, families, workplaces, and well, basically, wherever we go, there shall be HONOR. Who is the most honorable person you know? We all love an honorable person, and their example rubs off on all around them.

We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. This is a great blessing!!!!!! Cease it! No, you will not Master these characteristics, traits, and skills overnight, but you can make progress with any one of them, on any given day. 

90 areas. Make one of them your goal for a week, you’ll be busy for a year and a half. It is said, to Master something, we must put in 10,000 hours of devoted, focused attention to it. That’s 1,250 eight hour days, which is roughly 3.5 years working at it 7 days a week. To master all 90 would take an individual 315 years, or basically, 3 lifetimes for an ultra healthy person to accomplish. This is why we take things one day at a time. One thought at a time, one decision at a time, one response at a time. Good thing is, this is how humans operate naturally, one at a time. You cannot give two answers at the same time now, can you?

So, let’s be reasonable. You will live, theoretically, to the ripe old age of 105. This means you can choose 30 of these qualities to master within your lifetime, beginning before you’re able to speak, hahaha! 

Okay seriously, choose from 10-20 of these qualities you desire to possess, that will pay you back 100 fold. 10 if you’re 55 years or older. 20 if you’re 30 years old. Anywhere in between if you are aged anywhere in between. This is if you want to Master them. 

Choosing one a week doesn’t sound so bad now, does it? 

Now, looking at it this way. You can basically pick apart ANY goal you have, and break it down into manageable pieces. 

You can also spot the importance of TIME, and of USING IT WISELY. Plan, fill, and execute every single one of your days, WISELY.  Eliminate the trash. Eliminate the  drainers. Eliminate the petty things. You have no time for such things.

Eliminate negative thinking. Judgement. Harshness. Envy. Jealousy, and any other emotions that are a waste of your time and energy. This includes sporting events, television, internet, and social media. I’m not saying these things are bad, I’m just saying use them to YOUR benefit, and not the other way around. 

You need to free up as much energy as possible to live your life with MEANING.

Think positively. Stay focused. Help others in any way you can along your path, but not to the point where others depend on you as a crutch, or it steers you away from your own life, and desires.

Above all LIVE A LIFE OF HONOR.

Begin today. Choose something from the abundant list above and implement it into your life starting today. Do this each day of your life. You can’t afford not to.

Remember: 

• Honor is doing the hard thing, (because it is the right thing), even though the easy thing is right in front of your face, and no one would know the path you chose.

                                       HEALTH!

Prepping: Made Easy

READY, SET, GO!!!

20th Century Prepping

I’m sure you’ve all heard it by now: D O O M S D A Y 

I couldn't pass by the Chuck Norris humor, after all, he was my mentor (and still is), since the age of 13. He’s one of the most genuine, sincere, humble men I’ve ever met. Down to earth, doesn’t candy coat anything, doesn’t expect anything from anyone he’s not willing to do himself, not looking for accolades, doesn’t like to draw unnecessary attention, yet he knows how to get his point across in a gentlemanly way, and keeps what’s best for the benefit of everyone on the forefront, not just for himself. That says a lot considering the success he’s had throughout the years, in both the martial arts world, and in Hollywood. Many have lost their lives, and common sense along the path, but not him. If ever there was a man of focus and intent, it would be Chuck.

He openly speaks about many agenda’s in our 20th century world, and the impact those agendas have on society both now, and in the future. 

I’m sure you all have someone who’s mentioned something or another of the crazy yet magnificent time we live in. With all being said, the following quote comes to mind:

“Better to prepare for the worst, and hope for the best, than to never have taken any action at all.”

With this, I’m outlining a few items to assist you in the hopes it will motivate you to take action. There are indeed storms, a shaky economy, things are like, well…… “We’re not in Kansas anymore Toto”

When I think of these things, I think of family history, no offense, but at first I must admit, I found family history research to be rather mundane as I had very little to go by. As time went on, all the effort I put into phone calls, finding living distant relatives (never knew they existed), and left many petitions for information throughout the U.S. and started venturing overseas. 

Eventually, it came to a standstill. Then, a funny thing happened, as people were nearing their death, they called to get my address to send me a copy, or in some cases, even the originals of what they had. It changed everything.

Long story short: You can only add value to your family’s life, and your own, by putting forth the effort to know your family’s past. Now, we can’t tell the future (or can we?), but I believe it’s just as important to invest in what lies ahead for your family, as well.

THE BASICS

• Shelter
• Water
• Food storage
• Heating source(s)
• Light: As in a way to make and sustain it, be it a lamp, flashlight, etc.
• Cash or a means of exchange in which to purchase or exchange.
• Transportation: If you need to relocate
• Map(s) 
• Communication source(s)
• A means by which to defend yourself and family
• First Aid kit(s), beyond that of the basics, ideally
• Food for pets
• Tools
• Have a well practiced evacuation plan 
• Home security
• Sanitation supplies
• Alternative power source

I’m sure there is more we could add to the list, but this is enough to get started with. I know we certainly have plenty to work on in my neck of the woods. Preparing anything can be overwhelming, the key is:

• Doing what you can.
• With the resources you have available.
• One step at a time.

I know you all probably know and have a good deal of these things done already, perhaps not. In either case, let’s not be one of those people who hear “Johnny, take out the trash”, so many times, that Johnny instantly turns off his hearing as soon as he hears the word, “Johnny”. 

I must say, when my husband and I had a couple kids (at the time), unforeseen things took place and we were without employment for over three months. We ate canned food, whatever was left in the cabinets in boxes, whether it was rice for breakfast, etc. When my husband got a call for a job we were cleaned out, everything. I was so grateful that we at least stored what we could, it made a world of difference.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK:

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.”   ~ Patanjali

This week, BE INSPIRED!!!!! What inspires you? Who inspires you? Why?

Have a wonderful week! Stay strong. Stay focused. Take action on your goals.

Health!

PURPOSE AND DISCERNMENT

DEFINITENESS OF PURPOSE and 

DISCERNMENT

A life best lived is a life by design. Not by accident, and not by just walking through the day careening from wall to wall and managing to survive. That's okay. But if you can start giving your life dimensions and design and color and objectives and purpose, the results can be staggering. 

- Jim Rohn

PURPOSE

Many times people will tell me they don’t know their purpose, yet, others know beyond a shadow of a doubt what their purpose is. 

WHY IS PURPOSE IMPORTANT?

For one thing, it gives one direction. Without direction, one wanders about from task to task, person to person, job to job, with little to look back on in terms of realizing their dreams or feeling any real sensation of fulfillment. Having a direction in life, gives us direction in our daily ventures. We can plan accordingly when we know what exactly it is that we are after. Which leads us to the next benefit….  

It saves one time. When one knows what direction they are heading, they save a tremendous amount of time and can quickly make decisions based on their purpose. After all, if you’re not seeking to fill your time fulfilling your purpose, chances are great you’ll be using that same time to help someone fulfill theirs. It’s not a bad thing to help others in their purpose, in fact, it’s very rewarding, you just don’t want to lose sight of your own along the way. Time is a precious commodity.

You become more efficient/proficient with your skills pertaining to your purpose, simply because you become more aware of what it is that drives you. 

Knowing your purpose puts a bounce in our step, a smile on your face, and gives you confidence that what you are doing with yourself, and your life is important. 

Purpose gives one a zest for life that otherwise tends to stagnate from time to time.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR PURPOSE?

First, you need to know what your purpose is. 

“If you can’t figure out your purpose, figure out your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose.” Bishop T.D. Jakes

What are you passionate about? Take a good look over your life, and note what you’ve been drawn to over, and over, and over, again. What is a common interest that’s run continuously through your life? Helping others? Creating art, music, books? Are you addicted to crunching numbers? Building, engineering? Taking high risks? Note what those things are. 

You definitely know when you have a passion/purpose, when you are engaged in that particular thing, and you lose all sense of time, can go without eating or drinking for long periods of time, and are completely entranced by the project at hand. 

This week, I encourage you to think about purpose. Think about it in any way that suits you. For instance, if you know your purpose, make a Mantra for yourself in regards to your purpose. Make it a goal to do something each day specifically to that end. 

Or, you could even break down purpose into bite sized pieces. “I’m going to the gym today, what’s my purpose?” Get in there and get it done. Work, ditto. Family, ditto. Project, ditto. When you have a distinct purpose for doing something, the results are superior in comparison with just going along. 

This week: I challenge you to define your purpose. 

DISCERNMENT

The ability to discern is truly a gift. Used regularly and thoughtfully, it saves one much time, frustration, and even money. 

According to Wiki: 

Discernment is the ability to obtain sharp perceptions or to judge well (or the activity of so doing). 

Judge well, all things:

• Your training
• Sleep habits
• Eating habits
• Work ethic
• Spending
• Books
• Movies
• Relationships
• and so forth

A Warrior has both a keen definition of Purpose and Discernment.

One must always be discerning of their environment, potential threats, dangers, opportunities, paths of travel, and so on. Things in our day are really not that much different than in yesteryear, although the things of judging have become more subtle in their ways, approaches, and delivery.

I encourage you to use discernment this week. Listen. What do you feel? Our body and subconscious mind are always ahead of the game, and give us signals immediately as to what is beneficial for us and what is not, if we but pay attention. 

Slow down a bit this week. Pay attention to your surroundings, the people in it, the smells, the activity, the amount of energy, etc. Without discernment, one is open to deception. Be mindful of your decisions, use discernment.

Have a great week!!!!!