Category Archives: martial arts

Contentment

06 Monday Jun 2016

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“A harvest of peace grows from seeds of contentment.”  -Indian proverb

Contentment can be such a tricky word especially for a society like America where values are placed on achieving more and more, and rising to the top. Contentment can seem like someone has just thrown in the towel and given up.

During one of my seminars a women made a comment that she was very content with the work she did cutting and styling hair and had no need for future goals. This caused a stirring with a few people as they could not grasp that she could be happy without wanting something more, they felt she was settling for less.

This made me realize why so many people are unhappy, once a goal is reached, many people want more, what they see as an “upgrade.” This type of life can never reach peace while continuously striving.

As a society we may not realize we even do this, it’s such habit. “Now that you graduated high school what college are you attending?” “Congrats on you first degree, are you going for you masters now?” “Oh you did that, are you going to get your PhD?” Can’t wait for your wedding, when do you think you’ll have children?” “You have a beautiful flower shop, are you going to expand soon?”

Contentment is an amazing feeling, you can relax, enjoying what you have without your mind consistently focused on the future. And the funny thing about it is, it often becomes the time when more ideas and inspiration come to you, also content energy brings you more to be content about.  Take the women from my seminar for example, she is now married and has her first child. It all unfolded naturally without goals, to do lists, affirmations, and vision boards.

So ask yourself; how much is enough, and when will I finally be content?

 

Have a wonderful week everyone and remember;
As you better yourself, you better the world.

Peaks and Valleys

04 Wednesday May 2016

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A wonderful thought to ponder by Don Baird (visit Baird at http://www.kungfukarate.com )

“So, what’s the difference between growth and our typical idea of perfection? ~

Perfectionism is all or nothing. Growth is little by little.

Perfectionism is all about goal. Growth is more about the journey.

Perfectionism is about outward appearances. Growth is about what happens on the inside.

Perfectionism is about what we do. Growth is about who we’re becoming.

” Gerth, Holley: “You’re Already Amazing,” Revel, 2012, p.46
***

My Ramble

1aa-valley-smallWhen we are in the valleys between peaks, we feel like something has gone wrong. But, the valleys are caused because something is going right — you’re involved, you’re putting yourself out there, you’re experiencing life, you have dreams, you’re following your dreams: all of these are causative of peaks and valleys — the feeling of highs and lows. It’s not that these exist,but how we choose to handle them that counts; this is self-defining.

Who we are is important; who we are becoming is more important: the reward is within and not from a trophy. When we get frustrated, we should “get going.” When we’re in a peak, we should be humble and appreciative; and, when we are in a low we should also be appreciative — our lows are most often our true teachers. They are a time when we need to be the best we can be, try the hardest we can try — for ourselves, paying no attention to others — we have our lives, they have theirs.

In the end, we keep going — remaining on the spiritual journeys that we have been given — facing challenges and joys with equal gratefulness. Everyone and everything is our teacher and we will remain eternal students (whether we like it or not). We do not and cannot control the Universe; we can only retain a blurred, delusional control of our lives. We cannot add an hour to the day; we cannot command a single grey hair to appear on our heads. We are servants to the Universe; we command nothing. When we finally let go, maybe then we can live fully.

late sun;
between holly-hocks
more Universe

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Peace and Blessings,

Don

The Monkey is here!

15 Monday Feb 2016

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My friend sent this to me so I thought I’d share, looks like we’re in for an interesting New Year!

Year of the monkey:
Let go or be dragged
http://www.earthhome.tv/blog/chinese-new-year-2016-forecast-let-go-or-be-dragged/

 

 

 

As you better yourself you better the world

Curator of life

04 Monday Jan 2016

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Happy 2016! My wish for you this year is to realize your happiness, your contentment is at your fingertips. I can’t remember where I found this quote, so apologies to the person who said this; 

“Become curator of your own contentment”

One meaning for the word curator is; a manager, a superintendent. You are the manager of your own contentment. Although it may look like “outside” things bring you happiness, it actually lies in your hands.

But what I really like about the word curator is it’s prime meaning; the person in charge of a museum, art collection, etc. Our contentment is like this art collection. We can choose everyday, every moment, what we want to feel, like this collection we can pull the ugly or beautiful pieces off the shelf to be displayed in our lives. Please realize though, you are the one pulling the pieces. It is you who chooses how to face the business meeting, it is you who can put an end to a fight with your sister, it is you who reacts to the driver that cuts you off. This is what will keep you in anger and resentment or move you in to a life of peace and contentment.

Many blessings for a new year filled with peace and contentment,
Maria

As you better yourself, you better the world.

 

 

Love or Judge?

07 Monday Dec 2015

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The following blog was posted on Facebook by my husband Don Baird, I realize a lot of you may have seen this but it’s worth repeating again and again:

People throw friendships away over religion. Others may even kill you. But, if you look at religions in comparison to one another, the following chart becomes more than relevant. I have strong beliefs; but, not at the expense of my family, friends, and students. I follow the chart below — explicitly.

I invite you to join me as well.

Is there room in your heart? Is there room in your day? Is their room for the people you are close to without mistreating them, without judging them, without hating them, without killing them simply because they believe in something different than yourself? Or do you simply throw them in the trash because of your own selfishness? For me, it is easier to love than to hate and much more rewarding. 

I invite you to join me as well.

new moon
love and compassion
in the waves

Religion Comparison

 

What message do you send you?

12 Monday Oct 2015

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A lot of people write gratitude lists and being grateful can really change your life. The more you focus on it the more you realize just how blessed and abundant you are and the less your mind focuses on all the negatives.

imagesBut when was the last time you made a gratitude list about yourself? Have you looked in the mirror lately and noticed all the amazing things that make up you? When you’re playing a sport, writing, painting, taking a martial arts class, what runs through your head? How great you are? Or how you’ll never measure up?

We’re told so often not to brag, shine out, and love ourselves because it’s egotistical but I disagree, I believe we’ve gone too far to the point that when we’re given a compliment we even brush that off. What message are we sending out?

It’s time to bring back love for who you are, the good and the so called bad, it’s all you, embrace it. Love yourself and others will feel this love. Be miserable and others will feel the misery.

Remember; As you better yourself, you better the world

Tell the person now

31 Monday Aug 2015

Posted by in martial arts, Self-Help, self-mastery

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images-9The epitome of; “as you better yourself, you better the world” rest in peace Wayne Dyer.

 

A letter I wrote a few months back and regrettably never sent to the person who was meant to see it. Don’t hold back letting someone know how they made you feel or how they influenced your life, tell them now.

Hello Wayne Dyer,

I’m sitting here at the moment reading chapter two of your book Inspiration and I can’t seem to shake off the feeling to write to you. Not meaning to sound morbid I just wanted to take the time before either of us “kicked it” to let you know how you’ve helped people through me.

I have been training and teaching martial arts for almost 30 years. Along with the physical training I have delved into the spiritual and it seems every book I picked up along the way written by you, went hand in hand with what I was learning.

I was asked by two of my closest friends to teach the things I have learned, those two ended up being 30 people and Manifesting Me was born.

I would like to say thank you; with your inspiration, teaching and books, along with my martial arts, sparked ideas within me to inspire and teach others. I have quoted you at rehab centers, churches, dojos, banks, wellness and medical centers.

So, thank you for being born. Thank you for choosing the path you chose in 1939. Thank you for sparking the flame that lit my passion to help others.

With love and pure gratitude,

Maria Baird

One of life’s greatest gifts

24 Monday Aug 2015

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Do you surround yourself with caring people who love you just as you are? Do your friends support you or only come out to play when they need something? Are they there to celebrate all of life with you or just the problems?

Micki, Kristen, Bridget, Me and Diana "Bones"

Micki, Kristen, Bridget, Me and Diana “Bones”

Then ask yourself, honestly; am I there for others? Do I whine and complain about people not calling  when I could just as easily pick up the phone?

Friendships are a beautiful thing but should be handled with much love and care. Make sure you’re doing all you can do for others and not just expecting.

Without people life would be really boring, imagine, just you on this big orb? Sure for the first week the freeways would be awesome but give it a month and you’d be wishing for just one more traffic jam.

Life is about each other, nourish one another, don’t let the little things in life take center stage, you never know when it’s a loved ones time to exit. So, while everyone is here and healthy, take time to call back, go out for dinner, share some laughter. Friendships are one of life’s greatest gifts.

 

Always keep in mind; as you better yourself, you better the world

Ponder this…

29 Monday Sep 2014

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“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”   Luke 17:21

“Look within, thou art the Buddha.”   Buddha

As fragrance abides in the flower,
As the reflection is within the mirror,
So doth thy Lord abide within thee,
Why search Him without?           Guru Nanak (Sikh)

There is one Supreme Ruler, the inmost Self of all beings,

who makes His one form manifold.

Eternal happiness belongs to the wise,

who perceive Him within themselves.    Vedas

“He who knows his own self, knows God.”   Prophet Mohammed (Islam)

“The first peace, which is most important, is that which comes within the souls of men when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its Powers”   Native American    

“One moon shows in every pool; in every pool,the one moon.”   Zen

What if what they were all saying is true? God within us? If you knew this without a doubt, would you act differently towards others? Would you handle your business differently? And would you finally believe that you are important, worthy, and in fact a miracle?

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Small Change #44

This week may seem like an easy change so I challenge you to truly do the work; Take one of the quotes from above, or all if you like, and carry it with you wherever you go. Take out the quote at least 5 times throughout the day and feel what it is saying. These quotes from different religions and spiritualities all seem to point to one very important place..WITHIN YOU.

Finding Stillness in Motion

21 Monday Jul 2014

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Definite motion while being still

We are physically and mentally going, going, going. In fact, if we sit, even for a moment doing nothing, something seems wrong, I know people who actually feel guilty over this! How did we, as a human race get so caught up in the things that swirl around us, and when did we give it so much importance?

If you are ready to live your passion, find peace, or simply relax, it’s time to learn how to have stillness in motion. Begin by listening to that voice that has always been there for guidance but couldn’t be heard over the chaos. This voice is your intuition connected to Source. It is the voice that whispers to you to sign up for that painting class, and later it is there you meet your wife. It is the voice that nudges you get a physical and a good thing you followed through, as something was detected early enough to heal. To tune in everything must slow down but not stop. It would be nice if we could sit in mediation for hours, but honestly, there are bills to pay and shopping to get done, so what can we do?

I suggest;

Small change #34  Finding your stillness within the motion. 

This week slow everything down. Here are some examples;

*Relax while you drive and head to the slow lane

*Take lunch in silence, sit somewhere and observe the the rush of people as you enjoy the stillness

*Slow your walking pace

*Chew slowly

*Listen to who is talking, give up the need to have to answer so quickly or interrupt.

*Breath consciously throughout the day, take deep breaths in and slow breaths out. Try it now…slow deep breath in, slow breath out, repeat two more times.

*Go about your work in silence, turn off phones, music and social media.

*Before any task, at work or home, take a moment before jumping in to breath and focus. You can do this before a meal, before writing a report, and before a meeting. This calms the nervous energy that so many people carry, creating more clarity.

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 The stillness in stillness is not the real stillness; only when there is stillness in movement does the universal rhythm manifest –Bruce Lee

 

Photos by Maria Baird