Latest Posts
Have a Good Day
The book of Ecclesiastes says ‘There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time ...
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Becoming a Master of What’s Important
Mastery is the key word for Black level 4. It is the ranking we often bestow the title Sigung “Master.” It is a high standard to reach in our Pai Lum school. In addition to having rank of Black level 4 in Kung Fu, Kenpo, Tai Chi or Kickboxing, ...
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Creating a Warrior of the Soul
Creativity is the key word for Black III. All the tools, skills, strategies of the Pai Lum marital arts are now honed internally and externally. Now it is time to experiment, to merge movements and ideas that may have not been thought of before. It is time to make the ...
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It was a dark and stormy night, where’s the captain?
We looked at the key ideals/words for the lower ranks (White-Grey 2). Now let’s look ahead a bit to the higher levels Black 1-Black 9. What happens after one reaches enlightenment of black 1? One is still a student and one still continues to learn. Remember the code "Always learn ...
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What Does It Really Mean to Be a Black Belt?
The level of Black higher level One is often associated with great knowledge and skills - an almost mystical power seems to be bestowed upon those who attain it. And indeed in our system the key word for Black 1 is "Enlightenment." But does enlightenment mean one can perceive all ...
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Wisdom Better than Riches
Wisdom is the key ideal for Gray 2 level. Wisdom is not just knowledge but how and when to use knowledge. It is not getting 100% answers on a test, but knowing when to apply that knowledge to real life. It is not being smart, but being discerning. Wisdom is ...
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7 Times Stabbed, 8 Times Loyal
“I am betrayed!” Those words mark unparalleled pain – because we are hurt not only by the injury but even more by the surprise of who hurt us. The injury came from someone we trusted, someone whom we never expected. So came about the expression “a knife in our back” ...
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I Am Yawn-Worthy; See Me Sigh
Did you wake up this morning and say to yourself: "Today I'm going to be mediocre!"? Some may not say those words, but that is there attitude: "Bah! Another day...whatever I do today I'm going to do it half-hearted. I'll pick at my food. I'll lounge around the house. I'll ...
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Grasshopper, Be Like A Tree
The sixth color code is Green: “Persistence.” Like a green plant or tree, one does not visually see them grow from day to day, but over weeks, months and years their continuous, persistent effort to reach the sky is evident. In our kung fu classes we have a similar ideal ...
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Love Me, Love Them Not
My son Callen is at a great age and place – he says on his own frequently through the day, “I love you Papa!” “I love you Mama!” Now I know he really loves us, but I’m a bit suspicious when he eyes my candy bar in my ...
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