Dragon's Breath

"A black belt 
is nothing more 
than a belt 
that goes 
around your waist.

Being 
a black belt 
is 
a state of mind 
and 
attitude." 

- Rick English

When your intentions are clear
and you speak them to the universe
(some call it prayer,
some call it creative visualization,
some call it the Law of Attraction...)
the universe responds.
CLEAR intentions
yield clear results.

Lately I've been speaking
"I want to be a warrior"
every chance I get in various
venues
including my mind.

So, what shows up?
Opportunity.

A former student of mine
is a 3rd degree Black Belt in Karate
and is about to go for his Master test.
Not impressed yet?
He's 21 years old
and owns his own martial arts studio.
How did he fulfill this dream of his at such a young age?
Determination,
imagination,
hard work
faith,
and daring.
He also claims I inspired him.

I better start owning up to that and stop
deflecting when people honor me.

I was high on life in 2008 when he had me as a professor.
After losing 140 pounds and riding high on the self esteem
of going to the gym faithfully and being more socially
acceptable, I was on top of the world.

I bet my classes were really great when I was radiating
that light.
Do I still radiate?
I don't know.
My students seem happy (click here).
I'd like to think I'm still radiating a bit.

Pulling up in front of my student's dojo
today was thrilling. I was so proud of him.
Damned impressed, too.

Too bad all I could think of was,
"This has nothing to do with me.
It was all him.
All I did was plant a few
seeds.
He was the fertile soil!"

Meh, that's such a cop out on my part.
If I continue to think deadening thoughts about myself
how will I ever excel?
and help others to excel??

I have to work on NOT feeling guilty
any time I feel good or accomplished.
Maybe it's ok to think I had a little something to do with
throwing those seeds onto fertile ground.
And if I did it once I can do it again.

We had a lovely lunch then went for coffee.
He filled me with inspiration as he told me how
he had triumphed over so many obstacles
over the past three years.
Co-inspirators!

Lots of ups, downs, and now success.
Time for the next phase of accomplishment!

The past three years have been full of  ups
and downs for me too.
I guess he and I have been fighting similar battles,
though on different
battlefields.

As he spoke I almost forgot where lies his expertise.
He's so sweetly enthusiastic one forgets that he's a trained fighter.

I asked him,
"I know the object is to avoid conflict,
but if you had to,
you could fight, right?"

"Mm, hmm." he answered serenely.

"Like you could really kick someone's ass
if you had to?"

"Mm, hmm" he said with a serious face
and a smile in his eyes.

"I want to learn how to do that," I said.

I felt a little ridiculous.
My great venture into working-out involves
being able to stand for one whole minute at a time
or to walk a few yards without my crutches.
Somehow, I knew he wouldn't judge.
He said he'd help me.

Before we said goodbye I asked
him to give me homework.
Was it punching, kicking, or lunging?
Nope.
It was breathing.

I'm calling it the Dragon's Breath.
Breathe in through the nose and picture
a little flame inside getting smaller and dimmer
with the inhale (I know it sounds counter intuitive.
Trust me...read on.)
Then exhale and imagine light coming out of your mouth
surrounding you
and your insides lighting up with flame.
Imagine a pulsing aura of light with the exhale
and a dimming with the inhale.
Fill the room with fire light as you breathe out!
Like a dragon.

Breath work.
It all starts with the breath, doesn't it.
The journey from couch rider to warrior
begins with one great inhale through the nose
and a huge exhale through the mouth.

I won't tackle the part of our goodbye
where he told me I was a gift to the world.
I was too busy deflecting and feeling unsure of myself.
Yuck. I can't stand my own insecurity any longer.
I need to channel me some Khal Drogo or something!
Maybe it's time for the student to teach the teacher.

Lady Gaga's "Hair" was on the radio
as he tried to lift me up with his sincere praise.
Now whenever I hear the song I'll always
remember.
Gift
gift
gift.

click here or click below