Thurso - Scotland

Have you ever heard of a town called Thurso ?

Well to inform you a little more, it's the most northly town on the British mainland, approx 25 miles from John O'Groats.

This coming weekend I'm due to visit there with my family to celebrate 20 year of Kuk Sool Won in Caithness.

To be exact, Thurso is around 700 miles away from my home and it will be my 31st visit to this remote location in the Highlands.

Twenty years ago I was encouraged by one of my martial art students to visit and help start the first ever Scottish Kuk Sool there.

After the first initial visit I was hooked by the warmth and friendliness of the locals, and was subsequently made an 'honourary Scotsman' and informed to 'hast ye back'. which I did. (several times)

As a matter of fact, I've worked out that this is my 31st trip to Thurso, Caithness; covering a total of 43,000 miles. That's committment (or madness) for you!!

Anyway it will be an emotional reunion for the family - Thurso has been like our second home and we still have many good friends that we're looking forward to seeing again.

I just know that it will be fantastic and memorable trip.

Friends 50th Birthday

Yesterday it was one of my old school friends 50th birthday, so I decided to surprise him and go to his place of work to wish him a 'Happy Birthday.'

We got to talking about how he actually felt to reach the grand old age of fifty and both came to the conclusion that we thankfully didn't feel (or act) our current age.

My 50th birthday is also fast approaching, in July to be precise, however I have many friends that live locally that will reach this milestone before I do. So maybe there's a chance that I can ease into maturity gently after everyone else, without creating a lot of fuss or attention.

I have to admit though, I'm really looking forward to this significant birthday and want to embrace it fully with vigour, energy and vitality.

Actually - Isn't what this whole blog is about anyway?

Rock On!!

Exercise

Spring is definitely in the air!

I can usually tell when the weather turns for the better as I start to fully exercise again.

I know that it's a poor excuse but I just can't seem to exercise when its cold.

Today I started off first by running two miles, then cycling about 2-3 miles, after that playing football with my son, (even though he's 21 we still enjoying kicking a ball about together) then some light martial art training.

Overall - I feel great!!

Easter - What Does It mean to you?

Although I was born and raised within a Christian environment I do not follow the beliefs of Christianity as such.

This does not mean to say that I don't have my own particular spiritual beliefs or disbelieve in a higher source, I just tend not to not nail my colours to any one particular mast.

Because of my connections with the martial arts I tend to be more attracted to Taoism and Buddhism as a particular way to lead my life, however I also totally respect the beliefs of others at the same time.

So my question to any person that is a follower of Christianity; what does Easter mean to you?

I know that it's an important time for many people, but does Easter have any personal significant meaning in your own life, apart from taking time-out for a long weekend break?

I'm just curious - that's all!

Kuk Sool Update!

I've now been practising the traditional Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won continuously now for over thirty years .

Last weekend I participated in a Masters' training session held in Norwich, with the Grandmasters two eldest son's.

I have to say it was one of the best sessions that I've had for many years and it gave me every reason to want to continue practising this wonderful martial art for several years to come.

Although our Association has been going through some major changes over the past couple of years, I felt re-assured that our art has not lost some of it's more traditional aspects, despite what some people might think.

As Master Alex Suh (the Grandmasters 2nd eldest son) suggested that just because we are more concerned with putting into place more of the safety aspects these days, the techniques that we do learn are still as effective, if executed to their full extent.

Admittedly the Kuk Sool style that I initially learnt at the very beginning is totally different to that which is practised today, I do however personally enjoy my training just as much as I ever did, if not even more.

As long as we still have 'true' Masters like Sung Jin Suh & Alex Suh teaching us, there's definitely no need to look elsewhere for any other martial art training - these guys' are the best of the best and certainly know their particular art inside out.



Kuk Sool!

Knee Injury

Last week I was demonstrating a specific martial art move to an Instructor when I suddenly twisted my knee joint, so much so that I heard something inside crack.

My first reaction was to fall to the ground in pain. Afterwards I then massaged and stretched the knee joint and tried to assess the damage that had been caused.

In the past I've had suffered cruciate ligament problems that have taken approximately two years to completely heal, so I actually feared the worst that the same might have happened again.

The next morning my knee was very stiff, sore and painful but I was still able to walk, which was very good sign.

Slowly over the next couple of days, the stiffness wore off and the pain subsided - Thankfully the damage was not as great as I'd first expected.

This time I had been very lucky and my injury caused only minimal disruption to my training. However my sympathies go out to anyone who is suffering with a similar knee problem at the present time.

I know that is nothing more frustrating than an athlete or sports-person that can't train because of a specific knee problem. For those people in this situation you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

So anyone reading this post suffering with a knee injury - I wish you well and a very speedy recovery.

Word Of The Moment ~ Passion

Passion - Isn't that just a fantastic word...... It's a word that I've been thinking about a lot just lately.

Below is a definition of the word taken from Wikipedia, which kind-a sums it all up really.

Passion can be expressed as a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion towards a subject, idea, person, or object. A person is said to have a passion for something when they have a strong positive affinity for it. A love for something and a passion for something are very similar feelings.

I've recently asked myself the following questions concerning my own passion;

• Do I still have a passion to want to live an inspired life
• Does passion still exist in my own personal relationships
• Am I passionate about helping other people

The answer to all three questions is of course............YES

So let me ask you .......what puts a smile on your face, what is it that you're willing to do absolutely free of charge, what can't you stop talking about, what sparks your creativity? These are all very good questions aren't they.

A recent survey suggest that maybe 75 % of people do not know what there true passion is .... do you?

So I want to know - what keeps you up late at night or gets you out of bed early in the morning? Don't be shy - reply to this post and let me know 'what floats your boat.' Sorry to be inquisitive but I'm interested in 'You'.

So as far as today is concerned - As Tony Robbins would say ~ Live With Passion

Coincidentally - look at the time of this posting, does that give you an indication about what I'm passionate about doing!