Blog
Water Under the Bridge
Decisions are best done with a bit of thought and discussion if the situation permits. When emotional, a person might be feeling distressed and 
thinking a little irrational at the time, which may result in negative fallout. Making a decision or saying something, if not urgent, are best done sitting back and relaxing until you gather your thoughts together giving you a chance to think of any consequences down the track. Thinking things over will allow you more options. Making the wrong decision, as a consequence of haste, may be pretty hard for anyone to double back and pick up from where last left off, especially, where frienships and relationships are involved. Remember the cliche, don't burn your bridges. If you stuff up, better to owe up, rather than weave a web of lies. It’s much more embarrassing getting caught rather than fronting up.
Martial artists need to be aware of this because they interact with many people. Never judge people of what others say but just keep in mind what you have heard. ‘Trust but verify’. Always consider the 'pros and cons', 'advantages and disadvantages', and 'two sides to a story' etc.
Every day is a good day if your head is above ground, and the rest seems so unimportant. There is always a humourous side to things if they become nasty; nothing seems as bad as they appear to be, especially, if you allow a bit of time for the dust to settle.
Best advice: Enjoy your life and time on earth and forget about the things that waste our time.
GA
Border Patrol
Listening is about allowing the information to get into your head in which you can then process the information. In the martial arts we are trained to absorb information because we want to learn as much as possible but, sometimes, we just don’t want to step out of our comfort zones 
to do that. Over the years martial artists have tried to resist the temptation or consideration in cross training (Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Reality Based Self Defence) probably because most people are just happy doing what they’re doing or not interested in doing a little bit extra.
If martial artists are interested in the reality aspect of martial arts then there should be no borders in training which means stepping out of the circle but they may not like or appreciate components of other martial arts at first. They’re like an acquired taste and you have to give it time before making long term decisions in other aspects of training.
Most systems/organisations have their ‘core business’, ie karate, hapkido, tae kwon do and are absolutely fantastic with what they offer and teach. I like to think of our school like Europe where you no longer need a visa to cross borders. I remember the days (over 35 years ago as a white belt) when I used to get into a back stance with a knife hand block and challenge anyone. I didn’t really know what I was going to do but I was so confident that nobody would dare have a go at me. The mystical days are long gone and today I like to make sure I cover all bases in my martial arts training.
I take my hat off to people who specialize in one style because it takes hard work and a very long time to become good at the one thing. I became very good at the one thing but it was not until 20 years ago I decided to cross train. I have been crossing the border, since.
GA
Then it Dawned on Me
Jiu Jitsu, particularly BJJ./MMA, is quite in depth because of the numeorus steps required to complete techniques. If any of these steps are missing, it's no different to leaving a part out of a motor – it will probably not work at all. We’ve all experienced it.
I am a student in a sense and I am no different to anybody else learning. I have to be shown things, over and over, and practice to get them right. Quite often, getting it right the 
first time doesn’t always work out for me so don't despair if the same goes if you're a student. Usually, it takes several persons to show me, in their own little way, before I get a good grasp and complete understanding of the techniques. As an Instructor I don't settle for anything less than 100%. That's the difference between an experienced martial artist like myself and a brand new student in BJJ.
It's much more exciting to conquer the ones I'm having difficulty with rather the ones I get right the first time. Recently, I was shown a particular technique (advanced armbar) which was taught to me by a visiting BJJ master from Brazil. I really enjoyed the private seminar and got a lot of out of it but something did not feel right just yet. A workout with Shihan Richard Norton, in Sydney recently, almost hit a home run. I said to him, "Something you just said now, I now realise what I have to do." Then the other evening, I attended a junior BJJ class before the senior session; with everybody wondering what I was doing there. A purple belt, taking the class, was explaining that technique in his particular way and then it dawned on me. It was something he said which solved the final piece of the puzzle. Technique now 99% good (no such thing as 100%).
Usually, I like to talk quietly, through the moves, with my training partner. By uttering words I'm more conscious about what I'm doing. This is the same thing I do as an Instructor when I explain techniques to the students; this really helps me understand better. It's an absolutely amazing process! It's not a bad thing if students talk to each other in that sense but Instructors need to ensure the conversation does not divert from the subject.
People have different ways of capturing information and it may before it dawns on them which is why it's good to have a different Instructor in front of the class every so often.
On another subject, I really like Mr John Will's last blog, GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE. What a 'blog job'! Basically, it's based on years of friendship earning credit so that when a problem arises, there's enough credit to let the problem slide. I take things a step further, I give some people opportunities to apply for personal loans.
GA