After ½ million push ups then What?

I have been mostly quiet since that test week end in September. After the hard push to complete many of the physical goals for the UBBT, I felt the need to look back and take stock. And a need to change my work out regimen!

I have decided to qualify for the Kona Ironman --- 2009. And the Western States 100 mile run --- also 2009. I will be running 2 50 mile foot races in the spring of ’08.

First up is the Grappler’s Quest BJJ tournament in Las Vegas on Dec. 1^st. I will run the Las Vegas marathon the next day on the 2^nd.

As part of my UBBT test I participated in something called New Warrior Training. This training is designed to bring men back to the community of men in a healthy way and have each of us look at our shadows, to integrate our missing initiations into the mysteries of the world and its inhabitants.

I am actively looking for my path in the world. I am feeling called into the shamanic transformational world. I am feeling called to go back to school for some yet unknown destination.

Francesca and I are pursuing the idea of a Spiritual Warriors Conference --- bring the spirit world back into integration with the mind and the body and the heart--- July 2008 in Northern California.

My first daughter is getting married this weekend in Snohomish Washington. I am not really the “father of the bride” since I did not raise this child. But I am invited and I will be there.

I am feeling a lot like the caterpillar in the cocoon --- all gray and mushy and not myself --- not caterpillar and not butterfly. So I continue to put one foot in front of the other and trusting in the process.

More to come!

Namaste

John

Words

While everyone was doing their test performance last week and telling their story, I tried to distill what you were saying, what you had felt or done, who you had been and who you were being. I tried to keep it down to 2 or 3 words that summed up the experience. If I did not capture it correctly I apologize. If I missed anyone (entirely possible as mesmerizing as most of the stories were), I apologize. This is my effort.

Namaste

John

Kelly Abella --- powerful humility

Dani Carroll --- graceful perseverance

Terence Evins --- trusting movement

John Kyle --- inspirational power

Gary Engels --- graceful leadership

Skip Ewing --- moving joy

Craig Johnson --- honest work

Larry Kooyman --- transformational action

Dan Rominski --- spiritual forge

Denice Slater --- heart opening

Dave McNeill --- mindful presence

Leah McNeill --- focused balance

Ray Neill --- service above self

Joel Snyder --- youthful wisdom

Tim Rosanelli --- passionate learning

Dan Sikkens --- full out

Nancy Walzog --- new eyes

Mike Valentine --- successful integration

Joe Sherwood --- magnificent poise