Monkish

It's happening slowly....

Jiu Jitsu is starting to take over much more time in my life.

A few weeks ago I started upping the frequency of training, and now I'm training pretty much every day (and sometimes twice or three times a day).

Things are beginning to flow more smoothly. I'm able to execute sequences of moves without over thinking it, whereas before I would often end up in a position and have to pause for a moment to think of what to do next. By the time I formulated a plan, I'd be swept, my guard would be passed, and I'd be tapping.

Sometimes things will happen in class that I'll just zone in on. It might be something small, but focusing on these small details has really opened the game up for me. I'll meditate on these concepts throughout the day, and next time I hit the mat I've solved a problem or two that makes the difference between being in control vs. being controlled.

One thing that has been revealed through the hard work is the importance of adequate diet and rest. If I eat trash and don't get enough sleep, my body shuts down the next day. If I sleep well and fuel my body properly with high protein, good carbs, fruits and vegetables, etc. I feel like my energy level and overall performance goes up significantly.

Because I've been eating so clean, my body really feels it when I try and eat something that isn't good for me. Last week there were some french fries on the table that my brother had left out and I decided to have a couple, and soon after I was feeling somewhat nauseous. I guess the main thing I've learned through careful eating is that once you begin to remove the unnecessary things from your diet, you realize that you don't really need them after all.

"Eat to live, not live to eat", right?

I guess the same principle goes for life in general. Sometime last year, I had a big life change and decided to remove everything from my life but the bare essentials. I stopped watching tv, I stopped buying luxury items (anything that wasn't food or gas, pretty much), and cut out negative social ties. With the time I freed up, I was able to begin training Jiu Jitsu, I read quite a few books, and generally gained a sort of peace of mind that I had never really felt before.

"The things you own end up owning you"- Tyler Durden, Fight Club

I guess we become slaves to things outside of ourselves without realizing it. The Jiu Jitsu training is largely a physical manifestation of the larger life philosophy that I've been developing.

Hey, I'm healthier, happier, and am dedicated to the constant pursuit of self improvement.

A good place to be, definitely.