’cause nothing else matters
hello Tribe,
Sorry I haven’t written in a few days. I took my son Diego to Georgia this weekend and saw he and many other young Americans leave on a bus to depart to their various training locations, he to stay there in Georgia at Ft. Benning, The Home of the Infantry.
I’m not going to lie, I felt a little sadness as he left- not worry, because Shihan Diego grew up in my dojo (martial arts school) so I know that he is mentally and physically prepared for what he’s about to go through; and not sad in a sense of loss because I am super proud of him for following in my footsteps, for serving our country and for the excellence I know he will create.
I’m also happy for him because I know he will be successful in everything he does and this training, Infantry OSUT over the next 22 weeks, is just the start of what will be an amazing leadership career.
So I think the feeling was really just melancholy and probably only for the end of a season.
I am so grateful for that season, for the years that I raised Diego up and for the years that he helped Team KMMA and I raise up others.
Which brings me indirectly to today’s message- it’s about Focus, but in a different way.
It’s about being in the moment.
We can be so distracted by the demands and conflicting values in our lives, or by worry, doubt, fear or competition that we can miss the important moments in our life if we are not careful.
So, succinctly I want to share this message:
1. Wherever you are is where you’re at. Don’t waste energy worrying about work while you’re with your family or thinking about how you need to spend more time with your family while you’re at work. BE 100% where you are at that moment and you accomplish more in the long run. (Of course your schedule must represent your priorities for this to be true; but this is another lesson for another day).
2. Energy flows where focus goes. We know this- I teach on this truth a lot. For the purposes of today’s message, what I want to share is the importance of focusing on who is around you and making sure you take advantage of the moment.
You never know when you are making, or missing, the moment that matters………….
This morning a Facebook friend posted the following challenge:
That picture was easy for me to find.
This is Diego the day he passed his 4th Degree Blackbelt test, “Master” rank.
It was just in September 2020……
But that hug represents for me the 18 years raising him up, 15 of those in our martial art; the thousands of hours of training and the blood, sweat and tears that made the man he is today.
So even though I miss him so now, I have this picture to always remind me of that moment, all the years together that led there, and that I have done all I can do to prepare him for the life and leadership he has ahead.
I could close on that happy ending but don’t miss this part.
I almost missed it.
Diego wasn’t really the hugging type most of the time, so I tied his belt on and almost just returned to my agenda for the Graduation Blackbelt Extravaganza event that day……. but then he hugged me.
And in it I received the greatest gift of 2020 by far.
Don’t miss the hug.
Don’t miss the moment.
Don’t refrain from giving it and don’t miss receiving it.
‘Cause in that moment, nothing else matters.
Stephen J. Del Castillo
Diego’s Dad
TampaKravMaga.com
Shihan Diego, Shihan Harley, I and Sensei Winston Del Castillo
———————————————————————————————————————-
TampaKravMaga.com and Krav Maga Martial Arts have been empowering lives through the martial arts in the Tampa Bay area for 20 years!
Founded in 2000 by Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo, a 7th degree Black Belt and Sr. Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts and Karate lessons for pre-school children ages 3-6 and elementary age kids ages 7 and up are designed to develop the critical building blocks kids need – specialized for their age group – for school excellence and later success in life.
Krav Maga Martial Arts Adult Krav Maga training is a complete adult self defense, fitness, and conditioning program for adults who want to learn real world self defense, lose weight, and/or get (and stay in shape).
If you have any questions about our program, or would like to go ahead redeem your 2 weeks FREE, you can call us anytime at 813-547-6368 or visit our Krav Maga Martial Arts website.
About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commisioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., 33549. Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, and surrounding areas.
Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com