Thanksgiving

In honor of Thanksgiving I recognize the gift of family that we have been given. However we define family, it is the main social aspect of our lives that give us a true sense of belonging. Feel humility that you have been blessed with truly wonderful people to love. Embrace gratitude knowing you never have to go through life’s ups and downs alone. Our family are the people we should always offer the kindest words of love and compassion. They are the greatest gift offered us. It is an honor to be a part of something so beautiful as family. I thank God for helping me realize this each and everyday. I am grateful for the entire One Martial Arts family.
Happy Thanksgiving,

Respectfully,

Professor Brannon Beliso

New Day

I got my biopsy results last Friday. By the grace of God, it is all good. I see life differently than I did three weeks ago. I have a higher sense of gratitude for the quality of life and how precious it truly is. One minute I'm shopping for engagment rings and the next I'm sitting in a doctors office being told I have to have surgury. It was then I understood, we really are just along for the ride in many ways. I want to be fully present with every breath I take. You never know how many more you will be blessed with. I say this with a deep sense of love and compassion not fear. My love of life and living it completely is my discipline. It defines courage, knowing you are afraid but choosing not to allow that fear to paralyze you. It says do not think about losing, then you will surely lose. Embrace the humility of simple victories and feel God's mercy. So I offer you this: Kiss yourself in the mirror at least once a day, act like a kid more often than not and give of yourself, unselfishly to your family, friends and community.

Observations

I wish my arms
Were longer
So I could
Hold myself...


Butterfly kisses
Softly against your cheek,
Wipe away all the fears,
That make you weak.
I would steal
The sun from the sky
Put it in my pocket
Just so the nights with you
Would never end...


One gives so much
To get so little.
Somehow that seems
Unfair and unbalanced.
Kind of like
How it takes
So many oranges
To get one
Glass of juice...


Some things
Are better
left alone,
Like a big dog
With a bone...


From the center
Every point is
Equidistant.
So if we are
Centered,
Everything
Will be equal,
Without judgment
or odds to
Set us apart...


Had a dialogue
With death today.
I learned that
I am not part of
The body or its senses,
I am and always will be
The part known
As the self.
it is not the self
That feels lust,
It is the untrained
Body going astary.
it is not the self
That yields to temptation
But the undisciplined mind
Acting on impulse for the
Sake of instant gratification.
So which road is the right one to take.
Simply do not take the wrong one...

Poem 2

These four walls
Are not square.
They melt and mold
Into a rolling field
Of green grass,
Sprinkled with
Yellow flowers.
A grand meadow
That goes forever.
I reach out trying
To take it all in
And vainly accept
My humility in
All its grandness.
Running in all directions,
I feel euphoric,
Even disoriented,
By the power of
Mother Earth.
Looking out
I am pleased and
Peaceful with
The symmetry
I share with
This moment...

Poem 1

Meditative reflections
Are the center
Of pure thought.
See this energy
And find the focus
That will lead
You to balance.
It is at this
Point of being
That we begin
To discover
The meaning
Of real truth
And not the self-willed
Perception of
What we believe
It to be...

Please Forgive Me

Three weeks ago, I found a lump in my armpit. I've had an MRI, numerous doctor appointments, a three hour surgury to remove the tumor and an overnight hospital stay. I am now at home resting and recoverying for the next week or so. Praise God for his love and mercy. It has given me the strength, hope and courage to face this with a child's smile. I humbly thank my staff, doctors, friends and family who have given me great love and support. With you, life is beautiful. Please forgive my absence from my blog during this time. I will post some of my poetry from my book, "Cardboard Houses & Paper Dreams" as an offering for you to embace. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. I will be back with you very soon.

Respectfully,

Professor Brannon Beliso

3rd Annual Picnic

I found myself humbled, at our 3rd Annual Appreciation Picnic, standing and holding hands with the biggest circle of people I had ever witnessed. It felt like nothing I had ever felt before. The energy and quality of love that radiated from this group made me think about what our purpose is here at One Martial Arts. We live in an often cynical, negative, and dangerous world. In spite of this, we as people, parents, and educators are committed to giving ourselves and our children every opportunity at the best possible quality of life. We are dedicated to higher learning so that we may find peace and balance as wars rage and fear based thinkers act out senselessly.
I found myself grateful, as I looked into the eyes of this circle of people, and understood my purpose here. I am here to love as many people as I can, through the martial arts. I am here to instruct and educate people on being their best, so they may smile through the triumphs and tribulations of life.
I found myself in awe, as I danced with this circle of people. Each and everyone of you are One Martial Arts. It is through your trust, dedication, understanding, and efforts that this circle has grown to over 500 active students and members.
I thanked God as I sang with this circle of people. It reminded me life is a privilege not a right. I will honor this by always doing my best to serve you, offering the highest level of quality instruction and learning possible.
Respectfully, Professor Brannon Beliso