harmonious balance

Garden by tjd

Sun, 13 May 2012 09:01:48 -0700

Garden

tjd

Purple & Orange by tjd

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:57:02 -0700

Purple & Orange

tjd

Purple Flowers by tjd

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:53:24 -0700

Purple Flowers

tjd

Sunday Morning - “Happy Mother’s Day” To be a...

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:44:27 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Happy Mother’s Day”

To be a Mother…

To carry a child, give birth and to be a mother,

A job with more dedication and unconditional love, there is no other.

There is no pay, no benefits and little recognition,

Simply to do her best, give all she could, was her only mission.

It seems that everyone realizes at some point in life,

It wasn’t just a job and it was much more than being a wife.

That this woman who raised you since you were a child,

Her one true gift was when you thought of her you smiled.

So, on this special day, remember all she did,

What it was like when you, were just a kid.

Thanking God for her and realizing there could never be another,

Today, tell her you love her and thank her for being your one

and only mother…

Enjoy your day, your family, your loved ones and Happy Mother’s Day :-)

peace & God bless

tjd

A STRONG WOMAN vs. A WOMAN OF STRENGTH

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:33:39 -0700

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape.

But a woman of strength looks deep inside to keep her soul in shape.

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything.

But a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her.

But a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.

A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future.

But a woman of strength realizes life’s mistakes can also be blessings and capitalizes on them.

A strong woman walks sure footedly.

But a woman of strength knows when to ask for help.

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face.

But a woman of strength wears grace.

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey.

But a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

- Luke Easter

Strong Women

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:31:00 -0700

They smile when they want to scream. They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in. They stand up against injustice.

They don’t take “no” for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without new shoes so their children can have them.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a new marriage.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when you Think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes.
They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show

How much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world spin!
Women do more than just give birth. They bring joy and hope.
They give compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have a lot to say and a lot to give.

This is from someone who respects you as a woman…

To remind you how amazing you are!

Sunday Morning - “Being Open to Learn” I hope this...

Sun, 06 May 2012 09:21:00 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Being Open to Learn”

I hope this finds you and all those in your circle of love healthy and happy on this post Cinco de Mayo Sunday ;-)

I began my Martial Arts training in 1983 and I’m still kicking today. A question I was commonly asked was “What’s the best style of Martial Arts?” My answer has been always remained the consistently the same, “It is not the style that makes one great. It is the person and their pursuit that makes a Martial Artist become great.” To me, Martial Arts, Karate is like saying religion; there are many different styles and types but they all have the same goal in mind and execute with a similar intention. I believe Bruce Lee would have been excellent at any Martial Art. Find a school, an instructor you like and then begin. You will discover if it is the right fit. But whatever your goal is, you will achieve by your effort, discipline, consistency, not because you joined the most popular school. As in life, it is not the right home, spouse, car, neighborhood or job that makes someone feel joy, happiness and peace. Those come as a direct correlation to their personal pursuit, growth and the path they have chosen.

As a Martial Artist I wanted to be open to others and what they did. Learn from anyone I cloud so I could improve as a fighter, no matter the style, school or anything. When I went to a tournament I studied the guys that were winning or who did kicks or combinations I liked. I would even observe the stretches they did to see if I could learn anything. If they were the ones winning, I wanted to do what they were doing. So, I stuck to that pursuit, practicing and training, working on the things I had learned, picked up or observed along the way. Eventually I came up with my own style of fighting and was successful at it. There was never one thing that made me into the fighter I was. It was my time, effort, pursuit and everyone I had learned from.

Along my path I try to share what I have learned. I seek knowledge along with balance just as I did when I was competing in Martial Arts. I want to listen and learn from the people I admire and respect. I want to read what others have written that helps and guides me to become better and stronger. I love messengers of any kind shape or size. I have worked diligently on trying to keep my focus on the rewards of learning lessons; not the pains, trials and unknowing of when and how the lesson will be learned. I want to learn how to live, love, laugh as much as I can, as peacefully as I can with those that love me and I love as well. I cannot judge others. Blame a messenger. Stay angry because I made so many mistakes, over and over again in the past. When I am at balance, I am at peace. I am more open and more ready to receive and embrace, whatever it is, no matter how unfamiliar it may seem.

Take the good, leave the bad and move forward. Enjoy :-)

peace & God bless

tjd

Sunday Morning - “Failure is Success” Good morning...

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 10:57:00 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Failure is Success”

Good morning & happy Sunday!

I use the phrase “Failure is Success” with all my clients. I tell them that if they do their best and keep proper form, that when they fail doing an exercise they have reached total success. If I say ten push-ups and they do seven perfect push-ups and then fail = total success. They can’t be bummed, disappointed or frustrated that they only did seven; that was their best. The two-part challenge is to first embrace that the effort put forth was their best (work diligently on owning that!) and the second is to let go of the ones they did not do, the ‘expected’ ones or the wanted/needed ones or the ones they were hoping for. This ‘embracing and letting go’ normally takes a client awhile to fully grasp and execute. We as humans, at our core, want to do well. Clients end up wanting to impress me and make their trainer proud or shoot for a number they think is a good number to attain. This is part of the de-cluttering I must do to start tweaking someone’s perspective when they start training. I repetitively tell them to focus on staying in the moment, the task at hand, the key things to remember to ensure proper form (the things they can control) then TRUST that the number they accomplished was their best. Then, work on feeling peacefully confident in that trust (or consistently put effort forth trying to do that). Once a client can do this, I truly never have to tell them how many repetitions to do because it never matters. They will go until I tell them to stop or they fail. Then we simply move on to the next exercise. This harmonious balance is what I strive for with all my clients, as well as along my own path. My client and I have a connection and an understanding as they have with their bodies; I am listening to them, they are listening to their bodies and me as I guide them forward.

It is the same in life. When I am training someone I remind them of this analogy of comparing training to their individual path in life. If one puts forth the energy needed/desired to do their best, at the end of the day, no matter what did or didn’t happen, they should be success and then let the rest go. Work on feeling peacefully confident in that or consistently, diligently, passionately, persistently pursue getting better at:

1- Believing you know what your best effort is in all situations.

2- Trusting that in any given situation you have an ability to put forth your best.

3- No matter the outcome, knowing you did your best, let go of the rest.

May you have peace, love and joy along your path and may you find faith, hope and clarity along the way :-)

peace & God bless

tjd
tomjdeters.com

Sunday Morning - “Consistency &...

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:54:25 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Consistency & Frequency”

Simple enough. Easily stated. Now… just go do it.

Let me know how it goes. But when what you did this past week (which was wonderfully empowering) is virtually impossible to duplicate next week, share your thoughts on consistency and frequency. Any measure of success is based on these two staples. But we all know how challenging it can be to do anything with consistency, frequency, balance, support, love, understanding and commitment needed. On the other side of it, when one has been able to achieve these along their path, it comes with great reward, clarity, insight and a true sense of belief in what is important. One thing I am positive of is that no one could pretend to imagine the impact a little consistency can have on one’s journey.

I started my class last Tuesday with these words “I am not easily impressed but when I am I cannot hold it in.” Then I continued to explain that in my first class of the year I challenged everyone “Only 51 more classes left this year!” A few weeks later I asked who had made it to every class, only one person raised her hand. That’s how it started. I have been teaching for going on 15 years and I have seen the growth in many. I have seen the timid and shy leave the back row to become fearless in the front row. Every great success story from my class is based on consistency and frequency. It has been 4 months and 16 classes since the first one this year. I walked over to this gal in my class and put my hand on her shoulder and told the rest of the class that she had made every class, without fail, all 16 thus far. I then joked that I wasn’t sure she even liked me when she started attending class, but here she was, demonstrating sheer commitment and dedication, diligently pursuing a weekly goal, unknowing of her reward. Part of that reward was getting embarrassed in my class, but I know more than most how this has and will affect her path. I sent her a note on fb and she was most gracious of the accolades. Then she ended with “I know there are 2 Tuesdays I will miss but I’m shooting for the other 50.” Trust me, I k now where this one is headed!

I started training a wonderful girl who we will call “E” about 4 years ago. She made an appointment to meet with me about training after a guy had broken up with her for the second time, both via email. Yes, that’s when she came to me. She had never been very active, never worked out and had not pursued any sports. With amazing consistency and frequency she made a turn in her life and never looked back. Four years later she is amazingly fit, flexible, strong and has achieved an amazing fitness level. One she could never imagined attaining. Not only has she made it to training with me twice a week for 4 years she has made it to Bikram Yoga twice a week/every week as well for the last year. If you know about Yoga you know that Bikram is a whole other level. In the beginning of April she told me for a challenge she was going to attend 3 Bikram classes a week as well as meet with me. She never had an idea, nor did I, where her commitment, her deeming herself worthy would bring her 4 years later. FYI- she also has a full-time job, a wonderful boyfriend, is crazy active creatively with writing, directing, shooting movies and playing in a band.

Pick that which you are and be that… CONSISTENTLY and FREQUENTLY and…

SEE WHAT HAPPENS! I dare ya ;-)

peace & God bless

tjd

Rock Snake

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 10:23:10 -0700

Rock Snake:

One of my videos that has been getting some hits lately

astonyen: The Grass Roofs of Norway Evidence of really tall...

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:00:14 -0700

astonyen:

The Grass Roofs of Norway

Evidence of really tall grass in Norway.

Stretches for YOU!

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:58:13 -0700

Stretches for YOU!

Photo

Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:00:24 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Finding...

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:43:00 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Finding Happiness”

“Happiness is complicated for humans. It is difficult experiencing happiness without being reminded of the things that could shatter it.” - Deepok Chopra

Good morning & happy Sunday!

I developed the habit early on that if something worked I kept doing it. If I discovered that I didn’t enjoy, prosper, grow or learn from something I discontinued it. I knew I could learn from anything and anyone at any time. But the key is to embrace and remember the good and forget the bad. Even if there are 10 things you disliked about a moment, a job, a relationship, you still probably learned something from it. Take that knowledge, power and experience and move forward. Whether it was training or teaching I would keep what worked, what resonated with me, what affected me and carried on.

While reading the book “Book of Secrets” I have done the same. One of the quotes that has affected me and I have embraced whole-heartedly is the one above. It is so very true. We work so very diligently to get this stuff or these things and then we feel accomplished successful and triumphant. Simultaneously we feel the pressure to sustain, maintain, keep up and control all of these things. The fear of losing any of them can become daunting.

So as we walk our paths, pursue our goals, just have the clarity to know that which you truly want. Be mindful everyday and be thankful for your blessings.

peace & God bless

tjd

Photo

Sat, 31 Mar 2012 06:00:05 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Being Mindful” Good morning, I...

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 08:02:57 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Being Mindful”

Good morning, I hope this finds you rested and peaceful, smiling in this moment.

Deepok Chopra defined the word mindful in “The Book of Secrets” as being aware of perfect moments. I loved how that sounded and decided to pursue being more mindful. I have been telling clients for years to be aware; aware of their bodies, when they need to stretch, take time off, get back on track – learn to listen to their bodies – be aware. But also be aware of one’s posture, environment, friends, family, your personal space and be aware of how others feel.

What it takes to be more aware is to slow down and listen. There in lies the challenge. When I teach someone boxing technique the biggest challenge for everyone is going slow enough to do it correctly. Perfect practice makes perfect, not just practice. It truly matters how you do something. Therefore either approach with repetition will have an effect on you. I can explain this. Point it out and as soon as it’s go time, they let if fly forgetting what I had just shared. I then ask them why they thought they couldn’t just decide to go slower? Most, if not all were shocked. What I wanted was for them to think and grasp that we are at such a pace that is virtually impossible to be aware of all that we should be – exactly! Slow down, breathe, be aware.

What if we were all a little more aware, more aware of everything? What if we were more aware of the perfect moments in our lives, along our paths, in the middle of our journey, that most miss everyday? And what if that… became our life’s pursuit?

I wish you peace, strength and clarity on your path and may you find love, peace and joy along the way :-)

peace & God bless

tjd

Sunday Morning - “Emptying the bucket” Good morning...

Sun, 18 Mar 2012 10:25:53 -0700

Sunday Morning - “Emptying the bucket”

Good morning and happy Sunday :-)

An analogy I have shared before is one that we all get up in the morning and place a bucket on our shoulders filled with our day ahead, our plans, our to-do list and start the day. During the day we experience difficulty in emptying the bucket and often end up adding to the weighted content with unexpected items that fell on our path that day. By the end of the day we are tired of carrying this bucket all day. Our back and neck hurt and we are tired and sore. We are disappointed that we were not successful in decreasing the weight of the bucket and we realize prior to bed, we will have the same heavy bucket to carry tomorrow.

What if we woke up aware of this bucket, our to-do list and rid ourselves of these expectations and future frustrations? What if we focused on keeping the bucket that we carried lighter simply by chose? What if we planned on an exact time each day where we would actually focus on emptying the bucket? What if we woke up aware, spent a little time breathing and stretching then started the day? What if at lunchtime we went for a 15-minute walk? What if at each stop light we rolled our necks? What if we stopped at the gym before went home? What if we stretched and did the foam roller before bed? I could go on and on with the “what if’s” but my point would be the same; we will achieve success in any area that we direct our focus and our energy.

Going through the day without the weight of the bucket or the contents, not adding to it during the day and actively spending time and energy making sure we are emptying it whenever we can, will allow us to travel lighter throughout the day and throughout our life’s path.

Breathe deeper, stretch longer, walk slower, carry less and be thankful :-)

peace & God bless

tjd

micasaessucasa: via:

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 18:00:05 -0800

micasaessucasa:

via:

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Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:00:05 -0800

Sunday Morning - “Filling up” Good morning &...

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 10:16:15 -0800

Sunday Morning - “Filling up”

Good morning & happy Sunday! I hope this finds you and all those in your circle of life healthy and happy.

A few weeks ago I heard the analogy:
Do you ever get really frustrated or disappointed when your car runs low on gas?
“I can’t believe it! Again! Low on gas – what’s with this car? My life?” No we simply go to a gas station to fill up. Why is it so easy when it isn’t us? Why is it so difficult to admit we need rest, that we are tired, that we aren’t sure what to do, that we don’t feel that strong today, that we would rather not face that today?

All that doubt, fear, restlessness, anxiousness, stress, that we may be feeling, might just be present because we are tired and we need to fill up. Challenge one is to be aware of our bodies, our minds and our path and admit/acknowledge when we are in need of damage control. Because we paid attention to the signs challenge two is to do something about what we are feeling. What it will take, how long it will take you is the third challenge. What I do know is exactly where you’re headed if you do not heed the warning signs, do not slow down, do not rest, do not stop and fill up without judgment and frustration and it ain’t pretty!

Discovering that you were just tired, discovering new ways and things that bring you peace and awareness, which brings joy to your path, these are good things. It will take effort to discover them and why I always say, “Deem yourself worthy of the effort required!” As you realize you are in control, in areas that will add to the balance in your life, this way of thinking will become habitual. To have goals of refueling, refilling, rejuvenating, getting rest and feeling better – where’s the bad? There is none son! My wife is happiest when she gets to see and spend time with our daughter: happy wife, happy life. When we went to visit our daughter this past weekend, I knew it would be filling up time for them both, which in turn fills me.

Find that which fills you, gives you rest and then get great at it! ;-)

peace & God bless
tjd