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The full collection of explorations.

Spirit > Talent

Published on June 1, 2025

There was a black belt pre test at the martial arts school I teach at this past Friday.

There are no superfluous performances at this test—no weapons, no board breaking, no elaborately choreographed self-defense or fight scenes—just pure traditional martial arts requirements and spirit testing.

The goal is to have a guest panel of Master Instructors—who haven’t been involved in the candidate preparation process—oversee the test and objectively determine if the students reach the standards of our Association.

And for about an hour and a half to two hours… they get tested.

Towards the end of the test… once they’re physically and mentally fatigued and have already been asked to give 100% of what they have on each of the required areas… they’re asked to do it all again during a final spirit test. And it’s in these final minutes that the entire test can be made or broken.

Because what we’re trying to test isn’t body coordination… and it isn’t even athleticism… although both of those areas matter… it’s spirit.

Because with indomitable spirit… athleticism can be built… the body can be further coordinated… the manner in which they’re going to hold themselves—even when they’re not wearing their uniform or rank—will be honored.

But, athleticism or talented coordination without spirit? …It’s putting the cart before the horse.

Which isn’t to say there’s anything wrong with having a talented and maybe lazy student… it’s simply a reminder to not put their talent ahead of their lazy. Because lazy is the horse… and talent is the cart.

Let Them Help You

Published on May 31, 2025

When you have someone in your life who really wants to take care of you…

You not letting them because you think it’s taking care of them…

Is actually uncaring towards both of you.

“I Never Get Sick”

Published on May 30, 2025

I like to think of myself as a healthy person with a strong immune system.

So much so that I’ve been known to say at times: “I never get sick.”

30+ hours in bed over the last two days has me humbly updating that motto.

It’s one thing to use confidence to create a sort of placebo effect on my immune system—as a sort of reverse Munchausen syndrome mentality.

And it’s another thing to allow confidence to replace best practices for supporting my immune system.

In retrospect, there are certainly a few things I could’ve done better to both a) prevent this sickness from even getting access to my body and b) better support my immune system so it was stronger and more prepared if/when it did.

This is my humble reminder to you to yes, be confident in yourself to create that sort of reverse Munchausen syndrome mentality, but two, to simultaneously be supportive and unwavering in your efforts to keep it *actually* ready.

Hard Is Where The Magic Happens

Published on May 28, 2025

It takes me less time to complete these daily 1-minute insights these days.

When I first started, it would take me close to 2 hours on average—mostly because I had no word count constraint which made them way longer than 1-minute.

When I added my 280 word count constraint, It started taking closer to 1 hour on average.

And as I’ve been writing these pieces for the past several years, I’ve noticed it is taking me less and less time to get my thoughts into their final, shareable form. Some days, it’ll only take me 5-15 minutes.

Which isn’t to say this process of coming up with unique insights on the daily is becoming more and more easy—because it’s still as challenging as ever to write concise and clear pieces that I’m proud to share.

It’s simply an observation that I’m getting better as a thinker and writer.

Just like sprinting never gets easier for the track athlete—they just get faster… so, too, is it the case for anybody who is learning and improving upon a performance or expressive based skill.

Don’t wish it was easier… stay steady focused on improving your skill and becoming better.

Easy is a trap—because nothing worthwhile comes easily…

Hard is where the magic happens—because just on the other side is better.

P.s. If you find value in these daily insights, you can support my continued work by grabbing me a cup of joe here.

Make “Ahead” Happen

Published on May 27, 2025

One of my students told me he wasn’t going to do his next level black belt test because he has prom the same day… another one of my students was well remembered and celebrated for going to prom right after he got his next level black belt.

This month, the martial arts school I teach at is allowing moms to train in our adult program for free. Some of the moms have said they love the classes, but it’s too late or isn’t in their budget to continue. Another mom I spoke to today said it’s kind of late and will be tough on her budget, but with the support of her family and some mindful spending cuts—she’s going to find a way to make it happen… because she loves the classes so much.

One of my favorite writers shared that he, too, is struggling to stay off social media apps. He said, “It’s not uncommon for me to open that goddamn app a dozen times a day and spend two to three hours mindlessly scrolling through it.” Some people acknowledge this and do nothing about it. What did he do? He said, “Every time I open up Instagram, I drop down and do 25 pushups and 50 crunches.” …And that over the course of a week lead his screentime to drop 70%.

The difference between those who get ahead and those who don’t… is that those who get ahead find ways to make “ahead” happen—even when (especially when) it isn’t convenient or comfortable. Those who don’t… don’t.

Pure Entertainment Junk Food

Published on May 27, 2025

I am by no means perfect when it comes to practicing the things I write about.

In fact, the #1 person I’m writing to when I mention inner work ideas or practices—is myself.

Just this morning, for example, I found myself 40 minutes deep into a social media binge.

And this was the third or fourth day in a row where I was starting my day this way.

In the shower, I was thinking about how I felt from it… I was trying to notice my state of mind… I was trying to see if there was any value…

And I came up short… noticed anxiety and regret… and felt behind on my day.

Am I saying that all social media binges are like that? No.

But, from my experience… they almost always are.

I sometimes get a nugget or two from conscious creators… but, 99% of the time, it feels like pure entertainment junk food that leaves me exactly as it did today.

So, I once again logged out of the apps and am going to try starting my morning a little differently tomorrow.

Maybe it’s time for you take a closer look at the value you’re getting from your social media binges / morning routine…

Don’t Let Infatuation Ruin Your Relationship

Published on May 26, 2025

Never become so infatuated with another that you forget to invest in yourself.

Intense passions coupled with self-ignorance is what makes for an infatuation and not a long-lasting relation.

Don’t you see it?

We are each one leg in any relationship.

You grow, you take a step.

I grow, I take a step.

This is how we move the relationship forward.

When one person does all the growing, the same leg steps over and over, pivoting on the other, turning the relationship in circles. Leading to circular conversations, circular days, circular experiences…

But, when both people do their own individual part… and they keep contributing back to the relationship regularly… the couple gets into a rhythm… and that rhythm is what leads to progress… which leads to a renewed motivation… which leads to longevity.

As contradictory as it might feel when you’re infatuated and completely obsessed with somebody in your life… learn how to give them distance… learn how to invest some of that excessive passionate energy back into yourself… learn how to come back to your person each time, ready to take the next step.

P.s. ICYMI you can read the best of what I posted to MoveMe Quotes last week here.