November 2010 Journal Entries (15)

I have decided to prove to myself that I can do anything that I set my mind to. As such I will be taking the Ultimate Black Belt Challenge. This challenge will test me mentally and physically over the span of 1 year and 1 month. In that time I will need to finish the following:

50,000…

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Some of you have wondered how in the world I plan to achieve all of the goals that I laid out for myself for the coming year. 50,000 push-ups and sit ups? Run a 1,000 miles? Run every kata 1,000 times? I do it the same way we do everything. One day at a time. Here's how my day looks for tomorrow. Continue

A few weeks ago Lisa S. wrote a journal entry about establishing a baseline. It motivated me. I've been an athlete for... ever, basically. Still, never occured to me to establish a baseline, a starting point for each new goal. So I started experimenting for what my baseline around the UBBT challenge might be. My biggest concern was around time management. Partner, two kids, work, school... blah, blah, blah, right? But... I pick a race or two or three every year to train for, so, I'm used to…

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I sent this letter out today to my family and friends--everyone that I want to include in my test (the world!). This is an example of what you might use if you are on this years UBBT team as a public declaration of your goals. Post it here, e-mail it, share it on Facebook. Get the word out to as many people as you can. Hold yourself accountable.

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In 2011, I will be participating in the…

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Hello, I'm Tom Callos --and I…

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The closer December first gets, the more overwhelmed I feel. What did I commit to?! Can I really do this?! The real question is why should I do this.



What first attracted me to the challenge is the intensity. Lately I've felt unbalanced in my own body. The weight I carry is heavy on my thin bones so it is top priority to reach my ideal weight... only it is hard for me to lose weight. So the level of fitness required in the UBBT may be exactly what I need.



Mr. Oliver's… Continue

I must have spoken some words, taken some steps, to sign on for the Ultimate Black Belt Test. How did that happen? I just got here! The short answer is that I am intrigued by the physical, mental, and spiritual challenge it presents and the potential transformation.



On one level it is the least likely thing that I would do--make a commitment for over a year of intensive training requiring a significant amount of time, effort, and discipline. My mind is doing a good job of presenting me… Continue

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The Ultimate Black Belt Challenge is some strenuous requirements:



50,000 push-ups

50,000 sit-ups

1,000 miles via running/walking/biking/swimming

1,000 kata repetitions

1,000 Acts of Kindness

15 minutes of daily meditation

10 short films

10 books focused on personal development or martial arts

3 Personal Goals

1 weekly online journal

1 Community Service Project…

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Regular fitness efforts have been particularly challenging for me,

most especially as an adult and parent with a lot of responsibilities

as well as a history of sedentary ways. The recent classes and Mr.

Oliver's black-belt test journey have given me inspiration to get back in gear

once again (the week of "squats of doom" was the first signal).



Since starting at the dojo in September, I have noticed increased strength in

my modified push-ups, which is… Continue

In Isshinryu, there are certain standards that must be attained before earning a new belt. My students know that I can be particularly picky about small details. I'm sure you have overheard me making sure that a student's stance is just right or that his posture is correct. These are standards that we all must strive to achieve--they are set for everyone. But these aren't the only requirements to earning rank in at our school. Continue

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Lately, I've been meeting a lot of new people at work. Word got out that I 'do karate' so people have been asking about it. They start with 1 of 2 questions: What belt are you? Or You could probably kick my butt huh?



These 2 questions have made me appreciate our dojo so very much.



Mr. Oliver doesn't focus on belts. He emphasizes character, technique and practical application. Zen Martial Arts is not ranks, trophies, or where we stand when we line up. We're not Cobra Ki… Continue

"At seventy you are but a child, at eighty you are merely a youth, and at ninety if the ancestors invite you into heaven, ask them to wait until you are one hundred... and then you might consider it." Continue

A few weeks ago, I borrowed a book from Mr. Oliver called, “Karate-Do My Way of Life” by Gichin Funakoshi. There are several chapters or stories within the book that I enjoyed reading. However, I’d like to just write a brief summary here discussing one of my favorite chapters from the book. Specifically, I’d like to discuss rule #2 of the six rules set by Master Funakoshi for karate students to…

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