Have you ever remembered a happy or funny moment, during a time of sorrow? Or ever felt anger about something from the past, during a happy moment with a friend? Our focus can be directed in less than a heartbeat. And following it, comes a feeling. Be in charge of your own focus and emotions. Change your focus and change your feeling. Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, people who make you happy, people who help you focus on the good in life. If you focus on it, you will find it, whatever IT is. Learn from the bad, but focus on the good. Life is too short to be anything but happy. You don't have to be happy about everything that happens, but don't deny yourself happiness because of a moment of the past. Focus on the future and its infinite possibilities. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living. As the ancient Japanese Proverb goes, "Fall down seven times, get up eight."
What disempowering thoughts do you tend to have? What holds you back from being what you want and deserve to be? How might you change your focus in order to be more, do more, live more, love more, create more? Create something magical in your life right now. Create a life worth living. Change your focus and change your life. Be the change you wish to see in the world. What do you want out of life?
Beginner - Next time you're in class or another safe place, close your eyes and listen. Hear everything that is happening but focus on nothing in particular. After a few moments, turn your attention to one sound and focus on this one sound. Follow this sound with your thoughts, pay attention to every detail. Recognize the direction it comes from, the tone, the pitch, the volume, the rhythm, etc. Next, open your eyes and see if what you heard comes from what you imagined.
Intermediate: While working with a partner during techniques, pad work, grappling or sparring try to read their telegraphs or feel their intention. Focus on the position of their legs and arms. What is their weight distribution? Can you feel if they are going to advance or retreat? Are they about to kick, or punch? Which side are they planning to use? Take note of their every action without focusing on your reaction to it. Be sure to start slow in order to learn to read your opponent. As you begin to correctly predict their movements, speed up the drill.
Advanced: Practice the same as the intermediates, but focus on your own intellectual responses to their actions and inactions as well. Begin to recognize every detail of the situation and seize every opportunity to succeed. Take advantage of their openings. Work around their strengths and overwhelm their weaknesses. Use the environment to your advantage. Work on your focus until you know what they are about to do, before they know.
Feel free to share your thoughts and comments and help us by reposting this for your friends.
