Reading and writing your story
I read and write every morning.
Both are part of my morning rituals that also include prayer and meditation, visualization and exercise.
Reading is powerful because it gives us the opportunity to learn from the experience of others, to be inspired by their stories, and to use this education, edification and motivation to empower us to take action in our own lives.
Writing is powerful because it allows us to do the same for others, and also as a creative process in which we can clarify our own thoughts, plan our future, inspire ourselves and even speak into existence that which will be.
Some great examples of some educational and inspirational writing are the Blackbelt Leadership Essays that I have been sharing with my students recently.
In them, great KMMA Blackbelts tell their stories- where they came from, what they went through and who they became on their journey thus far, as well as who they will become in their next training evolution!
I am so edified and inspired by them all and have been sharing one with my students weekly. We shared Sensei Kyle Bierly’s (KMMA Chief Instructor) in week one of Blackbelt Goal Setting Season. He is a 3rd Degree Blackbelt who told about his journey since he started at age 4, how KMMA Blackbelt Leadership Training helped him in college, baseball and the Marines and how he continues to train and grow, as well as how he came back to help empower other lives through our Blackbelt Leadership Program and how proud and blessed he is to be able to sow into students today the way I was able to sow into him. I am proud and grateful that we continue this journey together, developing Sensei Bierly’s skills and leadership to 4th Degree Master level and all of our students together to their next steps in the law of the process.
We shared Sensei Sarah Church’s (our Welcome Program Director) essay last week and we are sharing Shihan Borton’s this week.
They are all amazing stories! If you haven’t read them yet, email me and I’ll get you a copy.
But I have a more important question for you too.
What story are you writing? What chapter are you in?
Rather you are a senior Blackbelt working towards Mastery, a beginner, or haven’t even started yet, Team KMMA and I would be honored to help you write your success story.
Every success story has a beginning and a middle, and none should have an end.
We all have that part of the story that tells where we came from and what we went through. The difference between success stories and others is that the others stay there.
The successful consider their hardship, their current reality and whatever circumstances they find themselves in as a chapter- and know that they are the author of how that book ends.
Blackbelt Leaders also know that we are all a work in progress and there is always a next level to be achieved. Until there isn’t. But as long as there’s life in our lungs, there is. The story isn’t over.
My goal during this Blackbelt Leadership season is to talk to every student and help them outline the next chapter of their story. If you are a student reading this, make sure you speak with one of your Sensei to get on my schedule.
And if you’re not a student yet, Sensei Church and Sensei Bierly want to help get you started! They are Sensei that have walked the walk and they want to help you start writing your success story today!
Call 813-948-4844 or email Sensei Sarah and say that you are ready to write your next chapter today.
Grand Master Stephen Del Castillo, 7th Degree Blackbelt, MBA
Author, Success Coach & Founder & Chief Master of Krav Maga Martial Arts
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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