Round and Round and Round in the Circle Game

The concept of a "circle" applied to our personal life implies something frivolous and, most often, wasteful.

A merry-go-round with painted ponies going up and down conjure up a vision of children squealing with excitement or perhaps a Joni Mitchell song.

Chasing ones tail like an energetic puppy makes you feel unproductive and silly.

Getting the run around is frustrating and upsetting.

Spinning ones wheels gets you nowhere fast and only kicks up mud.

Getting around to it, means "it" will never get done.

Spinning the bottle can get you slapped, but that was a long time ago!

Going around someone is a way of getting what you want ....... evasion at it's finest.

Round the clock is just plain tiring.

I think you get the point ......... in a round about way! Sorry.

But there are times when going round in circles is a good thing and even a masterful way toward personal and professional development.

There is a concept in Martial Arts called the "Path of Interlocking Circles" that may shed some light. I was fortunate to come across it in a book by Mark Moeller. This concept put my years of martial arts training quickly in perspective. I used to ask why am I throwing the same punch or using the same block over and over again .... hundreds of times. Why do katas always go in sequence from the most elementary to the most complex? Why are black belts doing the same kata and drills as the white belts? Sure, sure ..... practice makes perfect, but really now!

Well .... you only had to watch a black belt perform Heian shodan, the white belt kata, or a series of simple punching and blocking combinations. Their moves "snap" and the power is felt with every move. The sleeves of their gi would crack like a whip. It is easy to see, hear and feel the way even the most basic move was supposed to be performed.

Well ... The answer is the path of interlocking circles.

Everyone starts at the bottom and learns basic skills. Visualizing a circle, we would continue that learning, rounding the circle. As it comes completely around, you are at the bottom again, but this time with slightly refined skills. It might not be noticeable at first, but you have improved incrementally. At which point you pick up additional techniques and refinements on those you have learned before. You continue to progress along a slightly higher circle indicating a little bit higher skill level then your previous circle. So round and round you go, on and on ..... refining your previous skills and adding upon your foundation of abilities. Over months and years of training, there you are .... cracking your own whip and intimating the lower belts with the shear mastery and beauty of your technique.

But there is more, much more. It is a complex equation. The answer does not lie in simple repetition but in the intensity of the practice (i.e., passion) plus its purpose (i.e., why am I doing this). Repetition without purpose and intensity is simply motion. It might feel good and you might look good but are you truly learning and are you really growing?

Here's another variable to include. This one is from the ground level. In the style I trained, we were bare-footed. We were trained to grasp the floor with our toes. Seems odd but it worked. Gripping with your toes create the base. We were grounded and had the needed stability and traction for the next move. That was the foundation upon which we built our skills. Techniques became easier and the wobbling stopped.

How does all this apply to our every day? How many times do we just go through the motions just to get by or get through the day? Are we spinning our wheels, chasing our tails, getting around to "it" and going around the obvious? Hhmmm .....By returning to the "base", we may rekindle the passion and regain the sense of purpose we once had. Possibly?

Now ... from the ground. What about our basic beliefs, core values and principles? Have our toes lost their grasp on the floor? How many times do we wander from who we are or who we want to be ....... loosing our footing and wobble? If that is true, how can we take the risk to venture out on that skinny little limb with confidence to be who we ought to be?

Maybe it's not so frivolous to go round and round after all ..... "The path of interlocking circles, young grasshopper." A reminder for me ..... for sure.

Source: Karate-do Foundations by Mark R. Moeller, 1995

"Should we experience a loss of cabin pressure......."

How often have you heard, and immediately tuned out, the pre-flight safety announcement recited by flight attendants on every domestic and international airline.

The presentations vary. Some are dry and monotone, others are rhythmic and poetic, and, if you are lucky, some are repeated in multiple languages. The wisdom of these messages are often lost in conversation with perfect strangers, fallen on the deaf ears of a drifting mind or distracted by flipping through those catalogues of curious gifts that no one buys. Anything to distract us from listening.

Besides the obvious value of potentially life saving instruction, the pre-flight safety scripts, in my less-than-learned opinion, has provided the most meaningful personal development guidance since the timeless wisdom found in fortune cookies.

I am not talking about stowing away your luggage under the seat in front of you or putting your tray in an upright position or even turning off all electronic devices. Although, knowing where to can find a floatation device in case of a water landing could prove important someday.

However, there is one more instruction that often escapes us but is extremely powerful and meaningful.

"Should we experience a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will drop from the ceiling above you. Secure your own mask first before assisting others ......"

Wow.... how profound is that. Think about it....."Secure your own mask first before assisting others". It makes perfect sense. In such an event, you could loose consciousness trying to save your traveling companion first. Then what good are you? The normal reflex is to help, especially to save a child. But that reflex could jeopardize you both. It goes against all those things we are taught to care for others and our natural tendencies for self-sacrifice.

The same holds true when we are not flying..... in our work and personal lives. We often try to help when we are not capable, but feebly try out of reflex to "help".

How many times have we reached out to "help" someone in need only to find we had little to offer other then a hollow "don't worry, things will work out". Now that is really helping.... Isn't it?

Don't get me wrong. There is a place for a soft shoulder and a wiling ear. There is a value to that for sure. Providing a safe place for someone is often all that is wanted. But I propose there is so much more to offer.

Whether it is a friend, co-worker or family member, the value we can provide is from our own inner strength, emotional stability, knowledge and abilities. We have to be able to contribute something tangible and worthwhile ...... Our mask has to be on first.

One more reason to round the "State of Being" cycle and "be" someone or something. If you are a parent..."be" the one who advises, nurtures and loves your child! If you are a friend, "be" there in times of trouble and celebration. If you are a leader, "be" the one who motivates, engages and promotes.

We need to have our act together, be grounded and have a solid foundation before we can help others. Not that we need to be enlighten by years of meditation in Nepal. I simply mean that we should be secure, comfortable and honest with ourselves because you never know when there will be a loss of cabin pressure.

"Be" the one who grabs the oxygen mask first by being who you are!

Memorial Day ... Don't forget to remember.

Today is Memorial Day and it is a time for us to remember those who gave their lives during military service as well as those older warriors who are passing every day.

We just lost the last US veteran of WWI, Frank Buckles, on February 28th and WWII vets are leaving us by the thousand every day and not to mention the troops that are currently dieing in Iraq and Afghanistan.

We are loosing our national treasure at an alarming rate.

I have also had contact with a few guys who served in my dad's Army unit during WWII... 63rd Infantry Division ("Blood and Fire"), 255th Infantry Regiment, Company L. To make a long story short, one of them invited me to their reunion in Indiana. Bob, 87 years old, wasn't sure how many more reunions there will be since "there aren't many more of us left". How very sad for us all.

Yesterday, on "Sunday Morning", there was a segment on Tom Day who founded "Bugles Across America" in 2000. He and 7,500 volunteers make sure there is an actual bugler at ever veteran's funeral playing taps. What a wonderful way to show respect and appreciation!

Again another sad statistic ... they estimate a half a million veterans will die every year for the next seven years. Imagine that!

I know I can't bugle nor would I even try, but there's something I will do today. I will make a donation to Bugles Across America as well as the 63rd Infantry Division's reunion fund. I will also take out one of my dad's war time pictures and say a short prayer to him, his war time buddies and the fathers of my friends who served. I will simply thank them for their service and for enabling me to be who I am.

God bless them all!!

Check out the link to Bugles Across America: www.buglesacrossamerica.org and the 63rd Infantry Division: 63rdinfdiv.com

This Week in the Life of Joseph Anthony

On this day, March 14th, 66 years ago, the morning report of Company L, 255th Infantry Regiment of the 63rd Infantry Division read, “Departed Sarrenguemines Fr WQ 522 2015. Arrived forward assembly area Muhlen Wald Germany WQ 5261 2215”.

The day before, the morning report stated, “Co. received special training in attacking fortified positions and night attacks”.

The boys knew they were in for something serious.

My dad, Joseph Anthony Pulichene, was one of those boys. He and his buddies in Company L were getting ready for an advance against a German position. He would have celebrated his 19th birthday just days before on February 28th. What was going through his head THAT day as he waited for THAT moment? “Will I see my 20th birthday?” … might have been one thought.

Unfortunately he passed away many years ago when I was 21. I didn’t have the chance to ask him what it was like during those days in March, 1945. Although he may not have even told me as many WWII vets often kept their experiences to themselves. They knew and it didn’t need to be said.

My daughter and I have been walking his footsteps by way of Company L’s morning reports, trying to understand where he was and what he was going through. Maybe it was receiving an information packed CD from a granddaughter of a fellow Company L soldier, or recently viewing Ken Burns emotional documentary, “The War”, or maybe it was watching “Band of Brothers” on the monitor attached to an elliptical machine at my gym yesterday, but reading these morning reports last night moved me in a way I can’t explain.

Joseph Anthony Pulichene was a simple foot soldier being asked, as his entire generation was asked, to do the unspeakable. I hold no fanciful image of him charging a machine gun nest with a grenade in each hand. No … I think of him just as my dad. The guy who worked every day to raise his family, watched the Ed Sullivan and Dean Martin variety shows, drank with his friends at the Knights of Columbus, coached my little league team and was the loudest parent in the bleachers cheering me on the HS football field. He lived a blue collar life so I could go to an expensive college prep HS and see me at least through the middle of my senior year in college. He never knew what college really was all about, but he knew it was good and he wanted it for me.

That’s the terrified, skinny kid I pictured, staring out on that lonely, vast field in Germany he was about to cross 66 years ago. Maybe smoking what could have been his last cigarette, maybe saying a Hail Mary while clutching the Blessed Mother medal around his neck that his mom gave him the day he shipped out or maybe he was horsing around with his pals to mask his fear. That’s the guy who was ready to do the impossible.

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Morning Report: March 17

Location: 1 ½ Mi N Neumuhlerhof Ger

Note: Nelson, Donald E (Pvt), Pulichene, Joseph A (Pvt), Flikerson, Karl T (Pvt) Above 3 EM dy to clr 363 Med Bn LWA Germany Trfd DOP 7th A 16 March 45

Translation: Joe and two buddies were transferred to a medical unit to treat wounds suffered the day before. He received a Purple Heart for a shrapnel wound on his left bicep.

Finally a "Be"!!

After several years of study and several belt tests, I was slowly and deliberately moving to become a “be” .. the third stage of the cycle. I worked up the rainbow ladder of belts … White through Brown. The next rung in the dojo pecking order was the mystical, illusive Black belt. It’s siren called to me. It became louder as I progressed calling me, tempting me, challenging me. Through the array of sprains, bruised ribs and broken toes, I felt I was earning my chance through literal blood, sweat and tears…manly tears of course.

The second Black belt test was the charm. Each test preceded with six months of hard training, 6 days a week, 2 to 3 hours a day. Soon after, I received notice that I achieved my Shodan, first degree black belt . I was so thankful and proud. Sensai announced it at class and all the students applauded. At least in my own mind I heard the crowd roar. It felt good and I knew in my heart that it was not given to me. I earned the right to wear that crisp new black belt. My family was proud and I was proud. It felt good, beyond good, to actually achieve a dream … at long last. Even a friend down the block gave me a card affirming that the neighborhood was much safer now. Indeed it was.

The swagger immediately followed. Bowing into the dojo and walking though the ranks of the lower belts meant something. Being bowed to was not just a thrill and boost to the ego. It was recognition of a long awaited and hard fought achievement. Every student knew it because they were going through the same journey and had the same “wanna be” dream.

It was so very gratifying to achieve this goal. For once in my life, I was a “be”!! It took me a long time, a lot of effort and much sacrifice. It was all worth it. I joined an elite corp. I was a “be”. I was a somebody, Charlie!