Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Higher Faculties of our minds.

The word “Education” comes from the Latin word “Educo” which means to educe, develop or to draw from within. The famous author Napoleon Hill stated “An educated person is a person who has so developed the faculties of their mind that they can acquire anything they want or its equivalent without violating the rights of others”


As intelligent beings we can use these five higher faculties of our minds to help others and as you know when you help others to get what they want in life you are always helping yourself to what you want to attract to your self and to what you deserve.
The first is Perception – This gives us our point of view. It has been conditioned by the way you have been brought up in life and that in which you believed to be the truth.

The incredible thing about perception is that we can alter it by choice and our whole world changes.

The second is Reason – its what we think with, and most importantly we use our conscious mind to choose what we believe. “We become what we think about”

Third is Will – this is the ability to hold onto one idea without becoming distracted by a negative thought or distraction.

“When you hold onto a thought with belief you intensify the energy of vibration that you are projecting to the world around you”

Forth is Memory – Have you ever herd or said to yourself I have a bad memory? I think most of us have said or herd that once in our lives. The truth is that there are no bad memories just untrained ones. You can develop this faculty of your mind by exercising it like any other muscle. “ Say to yourself I choose to remember” you will be amazed how fast your memory will improve by holding onto this thought in your mind with belief.

Fifth is Imagination
As little children we used this all the time until one day some well meaning adult or significant teacher in our lives told us to stop day dreaming! When you put creative thought to work in your mind and become an imaginer you can then create your dream life in your mind, hold onto that thought and manifest it to your material life.

Master Dan says…”Dream what you want and then want what you dream and you shall have it!!!”
                    
                                                          Respectfully,
                                                                   
                                                                     Master Dan

Thursday, November 25, 2010

A Real Christmas Present

A Real Christmas Present


Thank-You is such a simple word, but it is so powerful. You see the power of thanks comes from the vibration of the thought. When we are in a continuous vibration of the “attitude of gratitude we simple attract circumstances and people of like minded energy. That is why or academy is the way it is. To all our students that have been here from the beginning, or if you just started today I just want to say THANK-YOU!!!

With out the eager student there is no teacher or academy.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

When we realize and give thanks for all our life lessons which sometimes may have not seemed fair at the time and reflect back we notice that they had to occur to make us the person we are today. We have always had the choice of how we reacted or responded to all life’s lessons.

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

Make sure you are telling and showing the ones you love how much they mean to you. Once we are staying in that conditioned state of having an attitude of gratitude we are more relaxed in our thinking, which calms our nervous system and creates better health. This gives us more peace in our lives.

As with all thoughts they attract higher energy thoughts like courage and faith. These two thoughts combined are so powerful. One of the greatest definitions that I have learned on faith was;

“Faith is the ability to see the invisible, Believe in the incredible, and therefore letting you have what the people on the “mass” consciousness level of thought call the impossible”

So as we go into the Christmas season keep your thoughts under your own self control, be thankful for all the blessings that we have living in this great country, our health, our family, but most of all the gift of our freedom to choose our own thoughts and to lift them as high as we can.



Respectfully,

Master Dan, Mr. Rowe, Mrs. Koch, Connie Vetter-Johnson,

Mr. Pratt, Ms. Lindsey Tetlock, Mr. Kevin Gourlay

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

THE MATTER OF ENERGY

     Now we understand with modern science (think microscopes, atoms and sub-partials) that we live in a world of moving energy. Everything has a field of energy, and if we focus our attention we can sense it and direct it.


Where our attention goes, our energy flows.

     When we do this attention focus we increase the pace of so called coincidences in our lives to attract and grow physically, mentally and spiritually.


     The great Albert Einstein changed our belief system when he discovered* in the early 20th century that matter isn’t really solid, but made up of compressed and shaped dynamic energy. (*time is not constant, but relative to the mass or speed of a particular object.) So what we learned is:



  • We live in a universe of dynamic (moving) energy.
  • We are made of this energy.
  • We can reach out and transcend our physical bodies and influence other energy systems.

     We can connect to this unlimited power by making a conscious choice to do so, and to understand that we do not need to make ourselves stronger by taking scarce human energy from one another rather we focus our attention within to connect to the divine energy. (Please do not take any label I personally use as what to call divine energy. It is also know as infinite intelligence, our higher self connection, our connection to God just use what you feel comfortable with.)
   
     When you force people to listen and behave the way you want them to against their will you drain them of their human energy. For example someone that complains to you all the time we call an energy vampire ;-). Insecurity ends when we connect to divine inner energy. (God, universal power, divine intelligence.)

  
     One way we can tap into this divine source of spiritual energy by conscience listening and speaking when we are with others. To do this your intention must be for the higher good of all involved while you first listen with your full attention, then respond accordingly. There are definite signs to tell if you are connected:
  1.  You actually feel light on your feet.
  2.  You feel a sense of joy and peace.
  3.  You know that the peace and joy that you feel is independent of any life situation.
  4.  There is a sensation of LOVE that is attributed to the inner connection with the divine energy and the connection is unmistakable.
  5.  The last sign is that we begin to gain strength from our inner energy instead of taking it from other people.
 This puts us on our true spiritual paths…

                                              Respectfully,
                                                        Master Dan Zaleski

Monday, September 27, 2010

AWAKEN YOUR MASTER WITHIN.

      Your master within is your Real self, your original Self. It expresses itself through your thinking, your true ideas and thoughts in your mind. It is the internal self that exists apart from your brain (which is a sensory processor only) and the personality traits imposed on you from your environment. (From Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim) one of the first women Grandmasters

      As I have said many times your real self is connected to the infinite intelligence.

     Start with an empty cup. In martial arts it means to empty your mind by letting go of your ego, as well as our everyday repeated noise in our minds and making room for new information that aligns with our future goals and a better life. We achieve this by making time to meditate daily on who we truly are and what we want in our lives.

     Your thoughts create your reality. Have you ever had an inspirational excellent idea and thought to yourself that is awesome, but did nothing about it. Then a short time later you see your manifested idea in your local department store. You see true idea’s come to all of us and “what you think about you bring about” so by using your “will power” meaning to concentrate on what you want and to not think of what you don’t want will allow to have what most people would call a dream life.

     Find role models. In martial arts it is quite easy because we have instructors and partners at our academies that can and are willing to show us how to achieve our martial arts goals and higher levels. So let’s take this powered will to all areas of our lives and improve slowly but surely towards an incredible life! What ever you need to learn you can do it by just emptying your cup (mind) and filling it up with what you want and need from someone who has already achieved what you desire.

     The time is now. When would you like to have the dream life? Live where you want, do what you love, use your creativity daily. The saying “Do it now, do it right and do it all” tells us to just start the journey of a thousand steps one step at a time. Trust your inner master to give you the direction when you need it. There are no mistakes…just lessons.



Respectfully,

Master Dan

Monday, September 13, 2010

Two Little Words


This article appeared in the eVent magazine that comes with the
Captial News written by Pastor Tim Schroeder.  What a great article...I had to share it with everyone.  Before you read it answer this...What do you think are the two most powerful words?  I thought Love and Forgivness...which are powerful words.  However read what Pastor Schroeder says...

Monday, September 13, 2010


I want to add two words to my vocabulary. I don‘t need to check a thesaurus to ascertain their meaning nor do I need to check a dictionary for spelling.

They are not new words to me. I suspect I have used them thousands of times. I am committed, however, to no longer let their impact slide off my tongue. I will intentionally keep their significance on the front burner of my thinking, because they are two of the most powerful words in the English language.

The words to which I‘m referring: “I choose!”

Most often they are replaced by the words, “I can‘t.” Frequently, I dodge the responsibility they imply by placing the blame for my choices on circumstances, bad luck or others. Phrases like, “I don‘t have time,” or, “I can‘t afford it,” or “my spouse won‘t let me,” are all thinly veiled attempts to place responsibility for my own decisions on someone or something else. So, I want to learn to say, “I choose,” far more frequently.

Here are examples of instances where it is highly appropriate for these powerful words to exit our mouths.

• I choose to take a positive attitude through the next door I enter. Too often I fail to recognize that I am a primary contributor to the climate around me. Too often I complain about how things are, but do nothing to change them. So, I choose to raise the atmosphere in the next room I enter.

• I choose not to be offended or to sulk the next time I‘m criticized. Criticism is a fact of life. How I respond is my choice.

• I choose to withhold judgment. I often engage in debates, form opinions and experience stress about issues that have nothing to do with me. This year, I want to choose to withhold judgment more often.

• I choose to make the appointment. Often we avoid taking action on items we suspect may have negative or problematic outcomes. Unfortunately, putting off dealing with the situation usually worsens it. I am choosing to act. I would be ecstatic if this column was to result in necessary appointments being made with doctors, dentists, accountants, addiction or marriage counsellors all around town. You can choose to do it.

• I choose to stop destructive behaviour. Like someone who continues to pay hefty monthly fees for cable tv channels they don‘t watch, many of us accumulate all kinds of damaging emotional or physical bills. We let the damage go on and on, simply because we don‘t choose to stop. With regularity we ask ourselves the question, “What should I do?” I‘m suggesting we ask, “What should I stop?”

The most important part of my list (I know you expect this from me because I‘m a pastor) concerns my spiritual well-being. I choose to discover more about God. Often I hear people who are 50 or 60 years old blame religion they experienced 40 years ago for their view of God today. Really? In what other area of life do we allow that kind of thinking to continue? How about accepting responsibility to discover the truth about God for yourself.

I choose. Say it slowly and carefully. It‘s not that difficult a phrase, but it is life changing.

- Tim Schroeder is a pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna and chaplain to the Kelowna Rockets and Kelowna fire department. His column appears each Sunday in eVent.

Top of Page

Thursday, August 19, 2010

READY, SET...GO!!

Our students hear it all the time when ever there is something they know they should do but keep putting it off  “Do it now! Do it right and do it all!


September, with its great weather but still staying cool, is the time to get back into regular routine including a new training cycle and to set a new 30 day goal. By setting and achieving your goal(eg:drop the 10 pounds I found in summer) or whatever it may be for you, it will get you back on track and in fine form.


This famous quote of the great coach Yogi Berra “It ain’t over till it’s over” Reminds all of us that no matter what level you’re at, beginner or Blackbelt that has had some time off, or kids getting back into the swing of school, Just get back and do it!  Do something within first 5 minutes towards this goal… Like call that client you have been thinking about, reading something positive and helpful, call to set an appointment for your first martial arts lesson!!!


Here are four easy steps to get to it and do it.

Step one – Set a new 30 day of what you really want or what you have wanted but haven’t got YET. This is the time if you really, really want it. What is your purpose to achieve this goal? You should be able to easily write five reasons down on a piece of paper.



Step two - is where you will gradually each day in every way get 1% better and closer to your goal(s) by doing one or two small things towards your goal every day. This is self discipline. All you need is 21 small steps towards this end and it will be a habit. The 21 steps could almost be done in one day if you REALLY wanted to get them done.



Step three – Remind yourself that it’s not what happened to you that matters, but what you do with what happened that matters. (e.g.: “I stopped training for a while it will be too hard to try again…get your ego out of the way and let’s go!!!



Step four – Realization is what happens when you are no longer forcing anything and you are now knowing you’re on your right path to an incredible balanced life. The philosophy of If it is to be, it is up to me gets rid of all blame, excuses and denial that having or maintaining a great life full of happiness, joy and fulfillment rests squarely on our own higher self.

Have a safe end to the summer, and if I can help you achieve your goals please do not hesitate to give me a call.

Respectfully,

Master Dan

Monday, July 26, 2010

Get the EDGE for Life

The great coach Vince Lombardi once said “Fatigue make’s cowards of us all”. I think that is a great place to start when considering getting the EDGE in life. When I think about the EDGE I immediately imagine having to increase my ENERGY to get what I need done. We can easily increase our energy through common sense of good food and good rest, meaning proper sleep. The one thing that some of us miss is using self control of our e-motions (energy motions) to increase our internal power, just one outburst of anger can chatter your nervous system for up to a week, which drains our energy.

One way our energy increases is when we rid our self of any thoughts of DOUBT. You are a king (or Queen) to the degree that you choose to discipline your e-motions. Meaning the one primary thought that you think is your choice to be a positive or negative one but the choice is always our own. When we doubt ourselves we impede the natural unlimited energy that flows through and around us. “I must believe to achieve”. The other great saying that comes to my mind is “Whether I believe I can or I can’t I’s right”. Our bodies and nervous systems respond to our dominate thought(s).

GENIUS is sometimes considered some un-achievable gift from above. What it really is, and how it can be part of your EDGE in life is to remember; “Constant effort and frequent lesson’s (sometimes called mistakes) are the stepping stones of a genius. Goal setting, along with continuous efforts towards your expected outcome will eventually have everyone call you a genius in your chosen goal.

This final piece of treasure for your mind to get the EDGE is EXAMPLE. Ask our self this questions -”If everyone was just like me what type of school would this be?” There is an old Spanish proverb that says “Live with the wolves and soon you will learn to howl.” I take this to mean that it is very important to regularly train and be with positive goal setting lovers of life to keep your EDGE.


                 Respectfully,
                         Master Dan

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

HOW TO DEVELOP PERSISTENCE

Developing persistence in martial arts is an absolute must to achieve the Black belt and beyond. The following is from the book Think and grow rich by the late Napoleon Hill. Remember what persistence can do for your life as summer approaches and calls us in all directions…stay focused.

There are four simple steps which lead to the habit of PERSISTENCE. They call for no great amount of intelligence, no particular amount of education, and but little time or effort. The necessary steps are: —

1. A DEFINITE PURPOSE BACKED BY BURNING DESIRE FOR ITS FULFILLMENT.
      (What is the next goal, belt or degree you will achieve?)

2. A DEFINITE PLAN, EXPRESSED IN CONTINUOUS ACTION.
    (What action(s) must you take, how many classes do you need, what date will it happen?)

3. A MIND CLOSED TIGHTLY AGAINST ALL NEGATIVE AND DISCOURAGING INFLUENCES.
     (Including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.)

4. A FRIENDLY ALLIANCE WITH ONE OR MORE PERSONS WHO WILL ENCOURAGE ONE TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH BOTH PLAN AND PURPOSE.
    (Make a commitment to your self and your training partners to train regularly)

These four steps are essential for success in all walks of life. The entire purpose of the principles of this philosophy is to enable one to take these four steps as a matter of habit.

   These are the steps by which one may control one's economic destiny.
   They are the steps that lead to freedom and independence of thought.
   They are the steps that lead to riches, in small or great quantities.
   They lead the way to power, fame, and worldly recognition.
   They are the four steps which guarantee favorable "breaks."
   They are the steps that convert dreams into physical realities.
   They lead, also, to the mastery of FEAR, DISCOURAGEMENT, and INDIFFERENCE.
   There is a magnificent reward for all who learn to take these four steps. It is the privilege of writing one's     own ticket, and of making Life yield whatever price is asked

                                                                    Respectfully,

                                                                              Master Dan

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Four Agreements

      Over five years ago I read a book by an author named Don Miguel Ruiz that helped me shape an even more positive outlook on life and to understand others from a new perspective. These agreements have been adopted by Quest Academy and Tae Kwon Do International as the first four rules of our company culture and have served us well. The book is called “The Four Agreements”.


Keep these for yourself to set your mind and spirit free.

       1. Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity and only what you mean.

       2. Don’t take anything personally….nothing that others do is because of you.

       3. Don’t make assumptions…find the courage to ask questions and express what you want.

      4. Always do your best…your best is going to change from time to time. It will be different when you are sick as opposed to healthy. Under any circumstances simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

Knowledge in your mind to add to each week’s lesson, meditate on these;

      1. On the path of least resistance…it makes all rivers and some men crooked.

       2. Everyday is my own choice to choose…love over hate…peace over war…politeness over anger and happy over sad.

       3. There are only two mistakes in Tae Kwon Do mastery. Not going all the way and not starting the journey.

      4. Do the best that you can, with what you have, where you are NOW!



Respectfully,

Master Dan

Thursday, April 29, 2010

What a great message - Real meaning of Words

SOME HEART RENDERING PHOTOS THAT TRULY DO DESCRIBE THE WORDS AND THEIR REAL MEANINGS.


Love...
















Sorrow...




















Innocence...




















Departure...


















Pain...
















Respect...




















Compassion...

















Friendship...























Patience...














Rescued...
















Divine...


















This year we have truly learned...

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass....

it's about learning how to dance in the rain."



Be kinder than necessary,

Because everyone you meet

Is fighting some kind of battle.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Success habits – to excel in Tae Kwon-Do

You can and are in complete control of your progression and destination in Tae Kwon-Do as well as your life to the degree that you set your habits.

The great news is that all habits are learnt and we can activate new ones and eliminate old negative habits by our desire and willpower.

“The fact is good habits are hard to form but easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to form but hard to live with”

The key to success in habits is to get into the habit of asking as much as possible about the thing you want to achieve then take immediate action on the advice you get.

The bible says “Ask and you shall receive” You must be in the habit of asking questions constantly for knowledge towards your goal(s).

The iron law of the universe is… the law of cause and effect – which simply states that for every cause there is an effect.

“If you do what other successful martial artists do you will get the same results they do. If you don’t you won’t.”

When you do things that other successful people do in the area of what you want to learn and earn, over and over again, you will eventually get the same results that they do. It is not a matter of luck, or chance, or accident. It is a matter of universal law.

The habit of self control. – We feel happy to the degree that we feel in control. There are two types of control; one is internal (controlling our thoughts, actions, and e-motions) and the other external (trying to control outside factors). We know which one we are in the habit of using by these signs. When we use our habit of creative force we are internal and we experience more happiness. When we make excuses and blame our habit is external.

Respectfully,

Master Dan

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Being a complete Martial Artists.

Martial artists have a disciplined life by choice. That means “they do what needs to be done whether they feel like doing it or not.” Although often times when we hear the term "Martial Artists" our mind pictures Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan or maybe Kane (a.k.a. David Carradine) from the old Kung-Fu T.V. Series. The reality is that no matter what your situation in life everyone has the choice to be disciplined, but not everyone is disciplined to make that choice. Good for you for making that choice already, that is why you are reading this blog. Please continue to be disciplined so that you can reach any worthwhile goal you want as long as you do not break mans laws, or Gods law (You can call it Universal Law do not focus on the name).

There are five areas that must have regular and conscious effort to achieve not only physical greatness but mental and spiritual as well. The five areas that create a healthy mind and body are:

- Starting with a Positive metal attitude (one of life’s greatest riches).

- Having a Proper diet, eating properly and the right things. Understand what food can do for us as well as to us.

- Learning correct relaxation and meditation techniques.

- Exercising properly, lubricates our joints, tendons and muscles as well as creating greater flexibility, strength and proper function of our internal organs.

- Correct breathing, allows you to do a number of things from clearing your system of excess mucus to learning how to connect to your higher self by connecting to your own unlimited energy source in your solar plexus, known as (ki) in martial arts.

These techniques can only be taught properly by a certified instructor who not only talks the talk, but walks the talk by example. That is what Leaders do, we lead by example and promote good community, be the leader in all arenas of your life home, school, work, relationships and general public. 

Be the vision you see for the world.

Respectfully,

Master Dan Zaleski & Mr. Chris Rowe

Monday, February 22, 2010

Soft Leadership Vs Hard Leadership

Please don't tell me that being kind, learning to listen, taking action on your
goal(s) and things like working on your character are soft. No way! They are hard. And that's why so few of us do them.

Anyone can act tough. What takes genuine power is to be open. To care about others. To learn from those around us. To be good human beings.

It’s the same for things like listening and vision and character-building. Getting good at those things takes time and courage. Why? Because we need to develop humility and be willing to admit we are far from perfect. And that we need to change. That change is scary. Because it causes us to leave the comfort zone we have always known, and sail out into the blue oceans of life.
The new model of leadership really is all about mastering the skills people in the past judged as soft. Those leaders that cling to the old ways of being will get left behind, by the leaders willing to do what's hard.

So the soft stuff is really the hard stuff.

* Great leaders all have these things in common that we can model:
Everyone already has the privilege to be a leader, which means treating people well, developing a great culture to work in and always doing your best.

*They always have a goal, but always a bigger one than just themselves. Leaders are always readers, they read constantly.

*Leaders develop people. They are kind when they teach what they know and they constantly remind themselves and others that there are no mistakes, only lessons to be learned from every outcome.

· Discipline… of course they eat properly and get up early, but what they really know is the price of discipline is always less than the price of regret.

Perseverance…you know never, never give up not just on your goals but your integrity and moral character say to yourself, I walk my talk, I live my truth.

Never do anything that you would not want to see on the front page of your local newspaper.

It can take thirty years to build your reputation and only thirty seconds to ruin it.


Respectfully,

Master Dan

Thursday, January 21, 2010

"It is not what you know; it is what you do with what you know!"

Take Action!
"The critical ingredient is getting off your bottom and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true martial artist is a doer, not a dreamer."
Knowledge is NOT power Knowledge in action is power! Having the best information, incredibly well-organized and at your fingertips means nothing if it's not put to use. Only by taking action on information-time and time again-will you ever produce the momentum to propel you to greater accomplishments. There’s no magic to this.
MAGIC stands for - Making …A…Greater…Individual...Commitment. Only by doing and improving can you master anything. Start somewhere, and then keep it going one step at a time until you get what you want. When you master doing, having comes automatically. It is the natural order of things.
It’s not what I know; it’s what I do with what I know.

Use the following chart as a guide to remember that there are numerous ways to just do it.

ONE -I take immediate action on whatever's next without procrastinating.
TWO - I use clever and imaginative ways to get started on difficult tasks or projects.
THREE - I break down complex tasks into immediately "do-able" steps.
FOUR - I use fear as a call to action, and act without delay to reduce the threat.
FIVE - I complete unpleasant but necessary tasks as soon as possible.
SIX - I apply new ideas as soon as possible, and repeat them until mastered.
SEVEN - I take some action to test or implement new plans as soon as they're proposed.
EIGHT- I continue until I reach some stage of completion before leaving any task or project.
NINE - I keep the momentum going until I finish each project I start.
TEN - I consistently seize the day to make my life an action adventure.


Respectfully,
Master Dan