Pushing through physical and mental fatigue. It can be a real struggle at times! A culmination of work, karate training, family, life in general like heinous shootings where children and innocent adults are killed. All of these things can and often do sap my energy–I feel like I am utterly exhausted! But even under these conditions I always strive to …
Week 18 – David Brezinski
Sometimes your mind can be your worst enemy! A week ago, I had the opportunity to share part of my life story, the challenges and opportunities, with a non-profit (Boldly Me) that a work colleague of mine roped me into mentoring. It has been a great experience even though going into it I was not overly enthusiastic about participating with …
Week 17 – David Brezinski
Thank you to Mom’s, everywhere! We wouldn’t be here without you!! Had an enjoyable day with my wife and mother-in-law. We went to lunch and then walked around McKinley park and the rose garden. We too stopped into a very cool cactus and succulents garden show at the art center to review and purchase some very cool cacti for our …
Week 17 – Dirk Herfurth
Mid-April my company Sunrun had scheduled a three days offsite in Morro Bay. Not the worst location to spend a few days with colleagues that I have not seen in person since a few months. Fortunately, Covid restrictions were lowered in time to make this meeting possible. However, it was with a sad heart as well that I went there, …
Week 16 – Dirk Herfurth
Birthday week it was for me on April 4th. Now I am 44 years on this earth and I have to say – so far, so good. I went to the doctor’s recently to get a physical – the first one since Covid started. All good! The only wear and tear is on my left knee, or as I call …
Week 16 – David Brezinski
Challenges & Opportunities I honestly do not feel like writing a blog entry today. I do not feel like I have a lot to say or share. But, as to not fall behind on my black-belt requirements (well, except for sparring), here I am. This morning I ran a 5k to celebrate a friends birthday. It was very nice to …
Week 15 – Dirk Herfurth
Recap of the Sly Park camp week. One of the main educational purposes was to familiarize the kids with their backdoor nature. Besides learning about environmental threats like wild fires, drought or invasive species there was also a lot of focus on the experience of being part of this whole ecosystem. One exercise was sitting still for 15 min away …
Week 14 – Dirk Herfurth
This week one of my challenges for this year took place in form of chaperoning my 6 grade son’s week long field trip to Sly Park Education camp. To be honest, I was a little concerned of how it will be spending a full week in a cabin with 13 smelly 12 year olds. However, it turned out to be …
Week 15 – David Brezinski
Zen in the Martial Arts – By Joe Hyams Reading ‘Zen In The Martial Arts’ there are many things that wholly resonate with me and my experiences thus far as an aspiring black-belt candidate and martial artist that is very much a work in progress. Whether it be “Emptying my cup” or “Seizing the Moment” (by being present and living …
Week 14 – David Brezinski
Broken Hand…but resolute spirit! Sparring! A hook punch to Dirk-san’s right hip bone and one broken metacarpal. It happened so quickly just three weeks ago. “The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.” (The Code of Karate – Isshinryu, #6) About 1-minute into our 3rd or 4th two-minute sparring round, I saw the opening. Stepping right I hooked …