That Focus Lesson
The lesson of the week my team is giving at both locations and all classes is on Focus.
Focus is the ability to block out distractions and concentrate on what’s important.
It’s the first of the Blackbelt Superpowers that we develop at Krav Maga Martial Arts and, in the basic classes, the Sensei are teaching about Focus through listening positions and the 4 laws of concentration.
In the Blackbelt Leadership classes, they are also sharing a story that I wrote about in my book, that shares one of the most important elements of Focus; one so relevant to happiness in life.
I wanted to share it with you here.
You can also get it at Amazon or get a free copy signed by me when you come in for your Orientation Program at KMMA– for yourself, your kids, or your whole family!
1.7 Being in the Moment
Today’s message is 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:
- 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).
- Energy flows where focus goes. We know this- I teach 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 earned 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.
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.
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com StephenDelCastillo.com
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 commissioned 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. Today I continue to train, learn, sow and grow under the mentorship of World Champion Grandmaster Jeff Smith, who regularly visits the academy to help sow into my teams and students as well.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes BLVD and now our new location in 8836 US 19, Port Richey! Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Port Richey and surrounding areas.
See stephendelcastillo.com for more information and to order my book, Developing Your Superpower, Meditations on Mastery, Volume 1.
Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com