Kaze Uta Budo Kai Forum Archive

Every once in a while I find a quote that, while it may or may not originally be intended to refer to budo, is often applicable. If and when anyone finds something interesting and/or enlightening, feel free to post it here.

The quote that got me thinking was this one from Oliver Wendell Holmes at the beginning of Dave Lowry's "In the Dojo":

"To see as far as one may and to feel the great forces that are behind every detail... to hammer out as complete and solid a piece of work as one can, to make it first rate, and to leave it unadvertised."

Quotes from General George S. Patton, Bob Stoops and Tony Robbins.

The following four (4) quotes are from General George S. Patton.

I like the first one in reference to everybody(my impression) at our dojo's willingness to be open to hearing ideas from other people who do not work at our dojo regularly but that instead come to visit and share, the same goes for all those people who have come to visit. They seem to have the same attitude for the most part. You have to be open to new ideas and new ways of looking at things. Not every one person or group of persons has all the answers. And just because you are willing to listen, doesn't mean you have to adopt those ideas. But you listen and then make your best educated decision in reference to the new data based on your experience and current knowledge. It goes... “If everybody's thinking alike, somebody isn't thinking.”....That can apply to your office, politics or anywhere else. Group think has a tendency to sneak in lots of places.

#2. "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity."

#3. "Be willing to make decisions. That's the most important quality in a good leader."

#4. "Pressure makes diamonds." To me, that means if you are under stress at work, in the dojo or where ever...embrace it. Use it to learn from and make you better. I think "Iron sharpens Iron"..Proverbs 27:17 is relevant here and also both quotes relate directly to what Theodore S. Roosevelt said.... "Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty... I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led diffcult lives and led them well."....true that Rosey! (did people call him Rosey? anyway...) Another way to say that is.."Nothing worth doing is easy."

In talking about being a leader and making decisions, Bob Stoops said this past Tuesday at the Get Motivated Seminar in downtown OKC... "Be willing to be criticized."...He said it is going to happen if you are a leader, all your decisions won't be the right ones, but with each decision "Have great expectations." Every time we teach / work with a lower ranked person in the dojo...we are the leader in that relationship...if only for a few minutes...and while each person has their own style of teaching / leading...we should all have the same goal...great expectations! of ourselves and the one we are working with.

Stoops also said he instills in his coaches and constantly reminds himself, when teaching / coaching, do it in a positive manner. It is okay to critical, but find something positive that person did as well and mention it!

In talking about how "No excuses" is a motto for their team Stoops said..."An excuse is a way to justify failure!"

He also realized after winning the national championship in 2000 and having an empty feeling the next day that "The chase of your goal is the best part of achieving it."

Finally, "Repetition is the mother of skill."...My dad dropped that gem on me Tuesday, I think it comes from Tony Robbins but not 100% sure. I like that one when I think about the releases, putting my foot on that damn piece of tape to get 3 feet in a line, chest crawls, shrimps, the list goes on and on....

E. Demming -- the statictical wiz of quality control -- "it is not enough to do your best-- you have to know what you are doing and THEN you have to do your best"

effort without insight will sometimes just dig ya deeper

One of the guys laid a good one on me tonight. I don't have bad days. I have bad moments during the day. Definitely a refreshing way to look at it.

my favorites from Mark Twain:
"It it better to be quiet and thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt."
and
"I am not a newspaper editor, and I will do right and be good so God never makes me one."

The intro to the greatest TV series ever (Monkey Magic) quoted Tathagata Buddha: 'With our thoughts we make the world.' I think a hefty chunk of the books out there stretch that wisdom to 2-300 pages and $19.95.
To see the Monkey Magic masterpiece:

While thinking of John Wooten, famous UCLA basketball coach, I figured I would post a couple things from him. Obviously this is related to basketball and not all are relevant here but several adapt it to fit Aikido, Judo, etc.


1. The key is Conditioning and Fundamentals.
2. We try to out perform and out last the opposition.
3. We spend over one-half of practice on basic fundamentals.
4. Conditioning is essential to success in basketball.
5. All Fundamentals drills emphasize conditioning in one way or the other.
6. Jumping and stretching drills to increase jumping ability.
7. Try to incorporate all fundamentals in early practice drill.
8. Want all players to dribble well.
9. Change of pace and direction to improve footwork and balance. Use a defense on this also.
10. Every drill is as competitive as possible.
11. Game condition shooting drills with teams in competitive groups.
12. Most games will be won by your ability to hit the medium distance shot.
13. Position shooting is also useful.
14. Be quick without hurrying.
15. No offense at all without good ball handlers.
16. First pass is key to the fast break.
17. No loss of time in practice.
18. Setting the defense (press, etc.) and transition are keys.

Conclusion

Good basketball is nothing more than the ability to properly and quickly execute the fundamentals of the game for the welfare of the team. Individual technique and maneuvers that have been practiced over and over again must now be second nature. If you are not in good condition, you can not execute the fundamentals properly nor can you execute them quickly for any extended length of time. You must not spend so much time on developing the teamwork that you forget the individual fundamentals. A team that is sound fundamentally but does not have a strong team offense or defense will still be hard to beat; but a team that has a very difficult offense or defense will be easily beaten if they are not sound fundamentally. The better conditioned team will probably win in the long run. It is a game of fundamentals. Many people have been surprised to find out that at UCLA we work more than half of every practice on our fundamental drills, even the last practice of the season...Coach John Wooden.

Another quote from a basketball, player. Still relevant I believe.

"It comes down to a very simple saying: There is a right way and a wrong way to do things. You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way.
Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise."

Michael Jordan

I have to credit Tony Robbins with this quote which empowered my life....

"It is not the events of our lives that determine our happiness ,but the meaning we give them"......

"Never leave the place where you made a decision without taking an action towards it"......

"If you believe you can, or if you believe you can't you're right"......

"Never trust anyone else when it comes to your money, your children, or your health".....

"How fast can you change your life? You can change your life in a heart beat".....

"Reasonable people get things done and live a reasonable life, Unreasonable people do incredible things and live an extraordinary life".....

"Live with an attitude of gratitude"

"Live with passion!!!!!"

I have participated and helped crew in mastery university a series of programs Tony Robbins offers to improve your life and I must say I have reaped incredible benefits on every aspect of my life.

John Belardo wrote:I have participated and helped crew in mastery university a series of programs Tony Robbins offers to improve your life and I must say I have reaped incredible benefits on every aspect of my life.

I'll second your endorsement John. My dad has been thru all his programs, starting back in the 90's when he came out with his first set of tapes and feels the same as you. I can tell a difference in him (my dad) and after I am done with school I plan to start on his programs as well.

"The young man knows the rules, but the old man knows the exceptions."

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Applies in life AND the dojo!