Fiddler on the Roof Reunion of 1978!

The year was 1978. Every year at Saddle Brook High School, the senior class would have a spring musical play that was originally started with a man named Chuck Broadhurst, the choral director of 30 years at the school. To this day Saddle Brook High School still does the Spring musicals, and it has expanded not only for the seniors but any high school student who wants to participate.

I think if you walk down the halls, they have the playbills they made for each year from the 70s to present day. You'll see Carousel, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, Annie Get Your Gun, and so many others. My senior class did Into the Woods and several of these plays were done a few times over the years, with several years in between of course. But only ONE time did Saddle Brook High ever do Fiddler on the Roof. When I attended the high school, I had asked the director at the time if he ever considered it and I'll never forget his reaction. He said "ABSOLUTELY NOT!" He told me ALL he ever heard about from teachers and alumni and former directors was how wonderful and great the 1978 play of Fiddler was and he said he and every director before him all agreed they could NEVER top that year's play!

The 1978 production was known to be the most professionally done, most talented, most unbelievable musical production that high school has ever done. It is almost 40 years since then, and people STILL talk about what an unbelievable production it was. Not bad for a bunch of 1978 KIDS in high school! But Mr. Broadhurst's musicals were known to be very professional and Broadway-like. But no one ever dared to even touch Fiddler after that.

The lead role of Tevye was played by Dino DiFranco, who was NOT in the choir at that time. He blew everyone away with his performance and his singing. Playing the role of his wifeGolde was Ann Conway O'Shaunessy. Two of the daughters of them were my mother Karen Lazzaro Trento and Maria Gross Vassallo, playing Tzeitel and Hodel, and the rich butcher, Lazar, played by Bill Thimmel. These are just a few names that many people who saw the play would know.

SBHS 1978 Fiddler on the Roof, pictured the five daughters. Maria Gross Vassallo with her hands on her hips on one of far right is my mother Karen Lazzaro Trento.

Ann Conway O'Shaunessy on far left singing in 1978 Fiddler on the Roof. 

I believe Debbie Przyblinski on the left, Maria Gross Vassallo in middle, and my mother Karen Lazzaro Trento on the right.

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of being with my mother and the many of the lead roles from the 1978 cast to go to see Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway. All of these years hearing about this play and I was with the all the leads! It was like being in the presence of celebrities! You may laugh at me saying that, but that is exactly how this was. 

We all sat together and we watched the play. The 1978 play they did is on VHS, I think someone is trying to put it on DVD (Yes Jack Impomeni, we will make you a copy!), and I have seen it before. I enjoyed the play, but it wasn't the 1978 play. At intermission they 1978 cast would assess what they saw. They loved seeing the bar scene and the balancing of the bottles on the head at the wedding scene, which they all did in their play! I enjoyed seeing them reminisce their memories of their play. 

But they all agreed for sure on one thing unanimously: Dino DiFranco blew the Tevye in this play out of the park! They all said he was better than the Broadway star singing! 

Leads Dino DiFranco and Ann Conway O'Shaunessy in 1978 Fiddler on the Roof SBHS

Rich Vassallo doing his hand stand during the bar scene on the left and Dino DiFranco on the right. (1978)

Maria Gross Vassallo on the left and Karen Lazzaro Trento on the right. (1978)

Afterwards we went out to eat and everyone shared their memories from their play, caught up, and laughed together. To my knowledge, these guys have kept their friendships since their high school days. You can tell they're a tight bunch and it's not ONLY reminiscing on the old high school days, but every one genuinely cares and loves each other. As everyone was talking and chit chatting, one thing did keep popping into my mind: Chuck Broadhurst would have been with us that day if he were still alive.

Mr. Broadhurst was there in spirit for sure. He would have loved seeing them all together that day. They were putting up pictures from the day on Facebook and alumni and former teacher who saw that 1978 play all kept commenting and saying the same things about how they remembered it well, how professional it was, one of Mr. B's best, etc. Music, like any craft is something that is passed down and bonds people together when you share it. My teacher, Cindy Verost (alumnus 1975), did the same thing. It is something that stays with you all your life and brings people together in a special way.

It was really nice to have spent the day with this historical Saddle Brook cast. It was a pleasant day, lots of laughs and fun, and it was very special to share it with my mom. No one loved Mr. Broadhurst more than her, and Fiddler on the Roof was one of those very special things in her life that I know reminded her of him. Thank you to the 1978 cast for having me share the day with you all! (BOWS)

The 1978 SBHS cast of Fiddler on the Roof in 2016 seeing the play on Broadway together!

Newspaper clip of Mr. Broadhurst rehearsing the music for Fiddler on the Rood with the cast in 1978.

Yours in service,

MASTER A TRENTO

P.S THANK YOU to MARIA VASSALLO for the 1978 pictures.

P.S.S This blog is dedicated in memory of Mr. Charles Broadhurst

The Wiz in NJ!!!

Master Katherine Wieczerza teaching her first class at TMAFC in New Jersey!

When I began traveling down south to visit my friends in Georgia, I kept being told by people that I sounded a lot like this Master Kathy character. All I kept hearing was "You sound like Master Kathy!" or "Master Kathy says that!" Or "You need to meet Master Kathy!" Well OKAY! Let me meet this Master Kathy person! So it was about a year ago when I went to the Georgia AAU Qualifier, I met for the first time Master Katherine Wieczerza. Kathy "the Wiz" was as warm and welcoming when I first met her as if I have known her all my life.

A month later I got to work with her on the mats a little at Master Stone's school and she gave me a cane as a gift that we use to train in Goju Shorei weapons. That September I went down for the first time to Tennessee and I got to see her teach a seminar as well as sit on an panel for Black Belt testing in Tennessee. I was also honored to be present at her wedding.

Master Wiz is one of the most inspiring individuals I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She is not only knowledgeable but also powerful in the sense not ONLY is she a badass warrior that when she walks by you WILL keep your hands up, but also powerful in the sense that you FEEL empowered on the inside as well. She hits the chords of your emotions that brings out the best in you. That is a rare gift few have. A few weeks ago I stayed with Master Wiz when I went to Tennessee (later blog) and I kept telling her I wanted to get her to come to New Jersey! Finally that chance came this past weekend. 

Master Kathy presenting Sifu with a gift she had made for him before coming to New Jersey.

Master Kathy being presented with the Hung Ga banner by Sifu Yee.

She flew in Friday morning after four delays. We went straight to Sifu's school. First stop HAD to be a visit to my master. She said she was nervous but I knew she would love getting to meet Sifu. His warm and bubbly hug was of course the welcome he would give to her! She presented him with a gift she had made for him from her Christmas tree this year which was very hard for her and she explained the symbolism of turning something difficult into something beautiful with three tea lights (three being the most powerful number in the world) and being the strong firm straight line in my own life. Knowing how important Sifu is to me, she wanted to give him this gift as a thank you for all he does. I was thrilled to have these two get to meet.

Then we went to my school where I gave her a quick tour and we ate lunch before doing an intro to Master Kathy class. It was absolutely spectacular. A great turnout, different range of belts and ages, and everything I knew Master Kathy would be. She was knowledgeable, she was skillful, she was inspiring, she was funny, she was motivating, she was ON.

It was great to see her interact with my students on such a level that was professional and personal at the same time. She got to know people's names first shot, which is very important when dealing with people. She would play a few games that had a martial lesson in it, but it also contained deeper life lessons that were just mind blowing for my students. It was really cool to see them nod their heads and get wide eyed as she would explain a concept or a lesson that was MORE than just martial arts. And it wasn't just the students, but the parents sitting in and watching as well!

Master Kathy's intro class at TMAFC

Miss Volk demonstrating how a reaction is slower than an action with Master Kathy.

                                         

   "Sometimes you don't have to overpower to get ahead, you just got to give a little."                           

Next was our two hour competition team class. Master Kathy is known to be excellent with point sparring and gave some really great yet simple concepts that my team could use for sparring. Some of them are doing point sparring for the first time at the New Jersey AAU Qualifier this month which she encouraged everyone to do. Master Kathy, who has had experience in every aspect of competition had brought so much to the table during that class. She has been a competitor, a coach, an official, a director, worked staging, been Chief referee, you name it and she has done it.

She really brought some great insight using her experience and my students loved everything she threw at them. And Guillermo Colon got to experience Master Kathy first hand as her "helper". If you ask him what lesson he learned being with Master Kathy, I could almost guarantee he'll say "Keep your hands up"! LOL! After Point sparring the team got to perform their forms for her and it was really cool to see how she was able to bring out the best in them. Even Guillermo was moving stronger by the end of the class. Every little thing from being effective, how to start from the ready position, the emotionalism that you bring out in forms, she hit the nail on the head each time. It was also exciting to see how excited the students got with the progress in such a short time!

                               

                               

                              

Afterwards a few of us went to get dinner and spent some time as my parent's house to just be and recap from the classes, and the others got to know Master Kathy a little better. My mother and father really took to her well and enjoyed her company and laughed along with each other's jokes and stories which was nice to see. It's that time that we get to spend with each other sometimes that are most meaningful.

Next morning I still had to get up early to teach HaganaH which Master Kathy participated in, and later was even able to bring some of the concepts into the lessons she was teaching, which a true master is able to do anywhere. In the first teen and adult Taekwondo class she had gone over basic techniques and critiqued and demonstrated different ways and styles and attributed to doing Taekwondo basics which I found very valuable and really opened the student's minds. The next class was Olympic style sparring and it was so awesome to see the shift from her concepts of Point Sparring the night before to Olympic style. Her attention to the technique and strategy and fighting mentality was so great to experience.

But as always, the concept of our upcoming theme of the year was involved! MOVEMENT. Movement is life, and she got us to move! Apparently many of her students and grand students will know this drill where we had us stand and she swung a bo staff downwards while we wore our helmets, and we were to move to the side and not let the bo staff touch our heads. I got caught a few times too! We were ALL moving by the end of that class! It was awesome! And the second class she did partner drills which really made the students who worked with her feel important enough to help but at the same time she got to see what it was they were passing down to the people they were helping that they felt was important to the form. It accomplished the need of certainty, uncertainty, to be needed, growth, support, and contribution all at the same time.

One of my favorite pictures. The expression on Sasha's face in the mirror and Miss Samantha Niblock is priceless.

                                      Mr. William Stiehl working with Master Kathy in teen class.                                         

In the afternoon Master Kathy did a seminar called "Every Day Items for Self-Defense" which she is known for doing down in the south and at her student's schools. The concept is absolutely fantastic because if you just look around, there are so many things you can use that can help you defend yourself when you are in danger. Weapons don't have to be complex and huge, only effective. She gave some phenomenal advice when it comes to self-defense and your safety, and then progressed to items such as flashlights, carabiner, and magazine. She had a nice turnout for the seminar, my mom even took the class with a friend, and toward the end my mentor Master Kevin Balon arrived on the scene to join in the seminars!

Master Balon has a great deal of respect for Master Kathy and they have not seen each other since he tested for 7th Degree in Austin, Texas in 2011. For ME it was the first time to be in both their presence at the same time! When she noticed him walking in she made sure to stop and have everyone turn to face him and bow out of her respect for him as well.

Master Kathy teaching Every Day Items for Self Defense seminar!

The group getting close to see exactly how a flashlight could be used to defend yourself. 

Some of the concepts of these every day weapons came from what she has developed within the Goju Shorei Weapons system. She is the world-wide director of the Goju Shorei Weapons system under head of the system Soke David McNeil. Her second seminar was a Goju Shorei Weapon seminar using the cane. This was her biggest turnout as it is so different and she is so well known for it, it made for an amazing seminar.

Master Kathy began just introducing us to some basic concepts to break the ice for those who never used it before. It really is amazing what you can be with something that so many people carry and could have every day, any where they go! I know me personally I have had my cane with me on a bus, an airplane, a bus stop, a grocery store, you can take it anywhere with you and it has so many uses, not just for self-defense!

Then we got into some deeper concepts form the system, and she used Guillermo as her assistant primarily if it wasn't me. She beat the hell out of us which honestly, there's no greater honor LOL. But everyone was fascinated by the concepts, great questions were asked, and she had everyone's attention from beginning to end. It was also really great to see my mother and her friend participate, to have Master Balon and his wife participate, some of the students' parents participate including my other mentor Dr. Mary Ellen Stiehl, and most of my active Black Belts who have been enjoying the company of Master Kathy all weekend long.

Master Kathy at the Goju Shorei Weapons seminar

                       

Master Kathy demonstrating how to use the cane for defend yourself from an attack.

                                       

Some of the crew who attended Master Kathy's seminar.

My mother and my teacher Master Balon partners during the seminar #SoCool!

                           

The Goju Shorei Weapons Cane Seminar at TMAFC with Master Kathy Wieczerza!

One of my favorite moments was at the very end of the seminar when we thought we were ending, she said "OH just one more thing" and called Guillermo over and we sighed as if he knew what was coming next and came up and put his hands up. She then placed a cane on his arm and said "That is my gift to you for helping me today." It was a sweet moment, but also showed the giving heart that Master Kathy has, which is so apparent to all who meet her.

Afterwards everyone was talking about the things the learned, asked more questions to Master Kathy, took pictures, etc, but it was really cool to spend time with both Master Kathy and Master Balon together. At one point the three of us worked together to do a drill with the cane together and Nicole took a picture of it. It was a historical picture of the three of us working together for the first time! You gotta catch the moments!

Afterwards we had gone to eat, spent some time with Ara and Juneta, and the following day we relaxed a bit and had some company over to spend time with Master Kathy before she had to return to Tennessee. We were all very sad to see her leave. We got to FaceTime with Soke McNeil at one point, we ate some food, recapped the weekend, and then at one point I felt a strong burst of energy and I kept looking over my shoulder. Not five minutes later my door opened and I got up to see who it was. It was Sifu and Simo! They had come to big Master Kathy well and to have a safe flight home! It was a beautiful gesture and so great to have these two beautiful people in my home at the same time.

Master Kathy Wieczerza is an amazing martial artist with great skill and experience. She is a phenomenal instructor, a master educator who thrives at getting the best out of you. She is a fantastic leader, adored by all who meet her, but particularly her own students whom she loves so very much in return. Not only in skill, leadership, and teaching, but in character she embodies what a true martial artist is about. She takes care of her own and then some. She cares for the people she surrounds herself with, and she wants the very best for everyone. The Wiz's gift is being able to walk away making you feel like you're a better person, feeling so good and wonderful. That magic was so apparent during her time here in New Jersey. I hope she had as much fun and excitement as we all did here with her during her stay.

We welcome her to our New Jersey family and want her to know she is welcome back anytime, and we ALL hope she does return soon. In the words of my mentor, "New Jersey has your back." (BOWS)

Master Kevin Balon, Master Andrew Trento, and Master Katherine Wieczerza.

                                       

Master Kathy with Master Trento and both his parents, Marc and Karen.

                                       

Master Balon, Master Wiz, and Master Trento working with the cane on the mats.

                         

Sifu and Simo coming to wish Master Kathy well on her journey back home!

Yours in service,

MASTER A TRENTO

We Get What We Focus On

This is a huge part of my teachings. Different levels of focus in positive perspective. Anyone who has ever trained under me in the last 20 years can recite this word for word.

The most powerful animal in the world is the human being because of their unbelievable power to think. A theologian will tell you that God has given human beings the gift of free will. If you put these two concepts together, we have the blessing of having free will to thinking.

The ability to make choices is so important. You can choose good, you can choose bad. You can choose positive, you can choose negative. We control our EAR (Effort, Attitude, and Responses). We are 100% responsible for these three things and it has to do with choice. We feel certain things, but we choose what to do next and how to continue feeling about it.

If I asked myself, "Why am I so stupid?" the mind gives you an answer. If I ask "Why am I so smart?" I STILL get an answer? Which is the better question to ask? (I hope you said why am I so smart).

If my radio is not working and I ask "Why is this not working?" my focus is on "not working" vs if I ask "How can I fix this?" I guarantee I will find a way that fixes it. This is how we shift our focus from one thing to another.

I remember walking at Montclair University with a bunch of books and it was snowing. I kept saying "Don't fall, don't fall, don't fall..." What's the last thing I said? FALL. What did I do? I FELL! I laughed of course, knowing what I did wrong. Got all my stuff and then continued, saying "Steady, steady, steady..."

I love questions. Questions is the act of thinking. Ask the same question more and more and over and over and the deeper your thoughts are. The deeper your thoughts, the more questions are answered. The more questions answered, the clearer your mind becomes. This is why I ask questions all the time, sometimes just to hear, to gain perspective, validation, to answers I already know, maybe it's why I love interviewing too. The answer is not important unless asked the right question.

We usually use board breaking as an example of this in, martial arts. Remember thoughts have a frequency, no matter how large it is. If I face a board and say "I'm going to break this! I'm going to break this!" but in the far back of my head that little thought of "But will it hurt?" pops up, my focus is cut 50/50. If I had 50 thoughts in my head out of 100% of focus they each get 2%. This is why many of us run around like a chicken without a head. When we focus and take one thought at a time, life moves forward.

We get what we focus on PERIOD. I understood the law of attraction years before the Secret, because of martial arts. I've seen people cure illnesses and beat impossible odds in life because of this focus. I've done it myself. Where attention goes, energy flows, and results show. This is how we unintentionally affect other people too. Worry and fear for the worst is collective energy that does not serve. I'm not saying being in denial, but maintaining a positive state for ourselves and others is important for positive results.

Focus on needing, you will continue to need. Focus on wanting and you'll always want. Focus on trying and you'll always try not do (I have an issue with this word). Focus on wishing, and you'll only be wishing ever.

Focus on what you want. Not what you don't want. Focus on what you have, not what you need. Focus on doing, not lack of doing. It is not our abilities that define who we are, it is our choices. What do you choose to focus on? (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

Our Stories

I have been counseling people for I think now a dozen years. My early years of martial arts training involved a great deal of psychology training, as it should. My first master had me do an insane amount of research on self esteem and over the years I continued and enhanced and upgraded the material. I use it to better my own self and with my students. I use martial arts as the physical avenue to showing what the mental and emotional functions can do for us. It's the "mental training" that I believe is the most important part of our training because of the mind being our most powerful tool.

Mental training led me to my healing modalities as well, including hypnosis, aromatherapy, and medical Qigong therapy. But they all link to something I've done for more than twelve years and that is my life coaching. And one of the things I come across all the time with people and even myself (because we are ALL guilty of this) is the stories we make up about people and situation because of our preconceived perceptions.

At the end of the day, we DON'T KNOW. When it comes to circumstances with people, situations and scenarios, people's intentions and opinions, we don't know. YET many people run off the the assumptions of their perspective and say "OH trust me, I know" and I will say 95% of the time are dead wrong. When we create a story about something and then go with it, it can cause more problems whether it be by choice of words, behavior, or actions taken.

Muscle memory is when your body remembers something and does it without you thinking. Our mind and behaviors can work the same way. Through repetition and association, we program our reticular activating system in this fashion. The truth is, these old programing of ours can be RE-programmed. But we have to be very aware that we work on being objective in our thinking and behaviors.

I knew someone once who wrote a letter to someone. This person believed that someone read it and every single thing this person did was based on reading that letter. I said "But you really don't know if he/she did read the letter." "OH he/she did! I know it!" This went on for about a year until finally when speaking to this person, they found out the other party didn't get the letter at all and it was never read. A year of wasting on the story they made up in their heads.

People create stories for a few reasons. We don't MEAN to do it, but our prior programming can dictate that. Especially those who have had more trauma in their lives. Others subconsciously do it because it dictates a sense of control on a situation and allows them to act the way they want (again this is subconscious, and unintentional, but it happens. And when the perception of a person is just so hell bent on being fear-based, the negative perspectives do take over. Someone was seen as yelling, instead of a stern tone. Someone was "flipping out" instead of just disappointed. Someone was "out to get you" when they were just going about their regular day.

I remember one time of my life I told myself I have to give people a chance. One situation someone said they were going to do something and I didn't believe them. I thought they were going to do something else instead. Normally I'd get all flustered and angry on the inside to the point where I would nag and nudge because I was relying on the other party's help. But in this scenario I took a breath and said to myself, I trust this person's integrity. When the person wasn't showing up on time I had a knot in my stomach but took and breath and told the story, they must be running late. Sure enough the person did arrive and apologized for the tardiness. I began doing this more and more and found if I just trusted a little bit and had faith in people a little more, you'd be surprised instead of being tortured by your own story. This is not to say people won't ever let you down or disappoint you, but you'll find the balance will turn more so in your favor.

Because again, at the end of the day you just DON'T KNOW. People today are quick to turn to the worst case scenario and give themselves an anxiety attack and panic and suffer. But people really aren't as bad as either you view them, or how they want to be perceived. How many people say "I'm a nasty person" and they say that proudly. You'd be surprised. But when push comes to shove, most really DO know when to be appropriate and respectful, and not fly off the handle.

Sometimes the stories we make can be dangerous. We need to acknowledge when we do this and change it. When we program our reticular system with success-based thinking, solution oriented thinking, open mindedness and tolerant thinking, we find we make better choices in our lives and interact more positively in our lives. When we do that, we participate and view life in a much more secure and confident manner, and not in fear and through victimization.

What about the stories we tell ourselves about our SELF!? A whole other blog. But self-image is the key to peak performance. Be kind to yourself. Make a good story about yourself. If you don't like the current story then pick up the pen and start rewriting your future. Rewrite the stories of your past, tell more stories about your happy future. Tell good stories about the people around you. It can change your life. (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

Rainbow in My Cloud

I have had many clouds in my life. More than most know. But so does everybody. I am very aware that everyone has a story. Everyone has been through something. Everyone has had clouds. When I was a teenager I was very sick, had a huge mental breakdown, a lieu of changes, didn't know how to function in life. At the beginning of opening my school I found myself sick again and going through the same hoops and loops. Some may have heard of the "sorrow" bowl that will is infamous for it's time in my life. And of course the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad 2014. I've been through more death, betrayal, debt, illness, tragedy, and change than I ever wanted to know about.

I've had many clouds in my life, as maybe you have too. But with each cloud I experienced, I had my own personal angel as well. Not an actual angel, although I probably had those too, but people who were the beacon of light for me when I had none of my own in those clouds. Yes, I've had many clouds, but I've had many rainbows too.

In my worst moments, I've had people be my rainbow. When I was sick, it was Mrs. Cindy Verost who shared music and it became an outlet for me. Something I could do, and function, and look forward to when I couldn't do anything else. When I was fired it was Doreen Vignali, who dragged me out of bed and forced me to eat and move on. When the Sorrow Bowl hit it was Aunt Karen and Jessie who stayed with me until it was over. A few years ago it was the DeJesus's and my friend Cara who were a big support to me keeping me moving when I was in a huge cloud.

2014 was the worst year of my life I think. In June of that year I had cleaned house big time, as far as people and places. And a few weeks later I was supposed to go to nationals. I didn't want to go, but I didn't want to let one of my students down who was going. I went and decided to officiate, and I met the grandest crew of rainbows I could have asked for, particularly Bobby and Stacey Stone. All of those guys cannot fathom the amazing timing of their presence in my life.

I use the candle metaphor all the time. It's the name of this very blog. I believe life is all about being the candle. A candle can light other candles, and the light that fuels us to participate in life in such a way that produces miracles is always lit. Anyone who is active in my life knows it is always an adventure. Some even closer find it like being in a Mary Poppins book. All I have to say is "I have an idea," and you know what happens next. When I go somewhere, I bring anyone who has been kind to me with me. I wrote about the gift of kindness a while back, click on the link its a good read.

People don't remember always what you say to them or do for them, but they remember how you made them feel. To be kind to others in desperate times of need, from the most genuine part of your heart is so valuable. It doesn't matter who you are. Whether you're black, white, gay, straight, Asian, Spanish, whoever you are, if you're kind to me I am kind to you and you are welcome in the magical adventures of my world.

I learned a great deal on the lesson of support (click on link, it's been a recent favorite). These days I don't ever feel as if I don't have help or am alone. I've had rainbows in my clouds. You should prepare yourself so YOU can be a rainbow in someone else's cloud as well. We are all beacons of light for one another. One candle lighting the other, eternal radiance, never blowing out. The true measure of tolerance is knowing we are all living in the world together, and need to live. Whether it be someone who may not call God the same name as you call God,if they call God at all! But you can still be a blessing to somebody.

I am blessed today. I have been blessed in those moments when all I could see were clouds. Whether it be Mrs. Verost, Doreen Vignali, Aunt Karen and Jessie, Bobby and Stacey, Sam and Annabelle, Cara, or my students of today, I have been blessed to have rainbows in my clouds. At the end of the day, always be kind to one another, and be a blessing to somebody today. Smile, share, laugh, and offer your light to others. Most of the times you'll never know the difference you make, but you do and you will. Be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud! (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

Pain

I was really sick several years ago. Seems like a lifetime ago, but sometimes it feels just like yesterday. I called that period of my life "The abyss". I thought it was the worst time of my life, and I would ask "How could things get worse?" But problem with words is that they have power, and the universe feels obligated to answer. So when I ask that question, the universe shows me. Took me a while to ask the question, "How could things get any better?" I liked those answers better.

When I was sick all those years ago, some physical ailments never left me. Trento Trivia: I am in pain every single day. You didn't know? Most don't nor do they see it. And the ones who do, probably overlook it. Physical pain. The way I described it to someone once was like hot knives stabbing into my body. It's never the same places, but on a good day it's just intolerable. You look at me and you'd never know, nor do I show any signs. I'm on the mats and I move and move well.

But the stinging in my sides, the pain in the joints and muscles, the buckling of my knees, the neuropathy in my feet, it's there every day. Why don't I make a bigger deal out of it? One, despite certain peoples' beliefs, I really don't like that attention, and I don't like to make a big deal of things, because quite frankly I've been through worse. There is nothing that has helped me other than oils sometimes, and Qigong.

Recently I've had new symptoms. Plantar Faciitis, spraining tendons, head aches, fatigue, and chest tightness. Hmmm. I wonder. Nothing concerning yet. I have fantastic medical practitioners, but there are a few concerns that I may actually need to see a doctor. Wow. It's a been a while. I'd like to say I'm used to it, but lately the pain has been more excruciating that before. I officiated in Georgia earlier this month, and I cannot tell you the pain I was in that day. I had done a sparring workout a few times, and I did really well, you would never know. But it was limping afterward. But I remember something from my mental training. Mental and emotional can be MORE exhausting than physical. I've had only a few years ago such emotional distress and stress and heart ache that my body wouldn't function properly and it was a real battle. That was worse than any physical pain I been through. So I understand there's always something worse.

In martial arts, sometimes we get beat and bruised. We are conditioning our body and vaccinating it for the real world of combat. A defense mechanism. He strengthen out bodies, and it's proven to also improve the immune system. When I train my students whether it be Taekwondo, HaganaH, of Qigong, there is a level of appropriateness and reasonability that you look out for and do for the safety of the student, and also to realize not everyone can endure pain like I may.

When we officiate we are told "Pain is not an injury". Also in fitness training I teach that "burn" is not "pain", the burn is your friend and your body is getting stronger. But the human condition only processes that is is pain and then the human developed the saying "Pain is weakness leaving the body." Then I must be some kind of real badass LOL. But the concept of pain can be taken a step further.

Remember the old saying, "Hurt people hurt people"? It's very true in a lot of different ways. People who have endured emotional pain lash out and behave horribly to others. Sometimes it inflicts emotional pain to others. People saying things that hurt, or insulting or offending in a way that just crosses lines that are beyond inappropriate. I know once years ago when I was in so much pain internally, my mood and behavior hurt a lot of people who were close to me. Unfortunately they were not strong enough to endure that pain. Recently someone close to me shot down a nice gesture I made to them and I was referred back as if I were some five year old told I was bad or wasn't liked. It hurt me so much. But hurt people hurt people.

I remember when I was at my old school and the neighboring business used to lash out about the music we played and was relentless about it and we went back and forth for a year or two. I couldn't understand why someone could be so miserable. One day I went into his place of business and he wasn't there. There a note saying he'd be out because his wife who has been terminally ill for several years with cancer had passed away. AAAAAhhhhhhhhh! That's why! It made sense. The pain this man was feeling for his ill wife made him so hurt and miserable, it was reasonable for his behavior. That same day, thinking about it a woman cut me off on the road and gave me the middle finger. Normally I'd be upset and angry, but instead I thought "She must have had a bad day, I hope it gets better for her". That experience changed my perspective.

Now, I am not saying these behaviors are RIGHT. I'm saying it's reasonable. When you're able to figure out there's a reason, it helps to perceive the situation differently, and we find a way where we are not in pain because of it, and we can empathize with the hurt people who are lashing out. People handle pain differently. Some lash out and behave horribly. Some pretend it's not there. Some go to the doctor every single little thing. Some avoid participating in life in any which way, or deprive their own children from experiencing life, stunting their growth in more ways than one. Some want to be alone and say alone. Pain changes people. Some make people harder or worse. Pain makes us make bad decisions. Fear or pain is almost as big as the other as a motivator. Pain is also what happens when you care.

A couple years ago I wrote a blog entitles "We All Have Hard". It's one of my favorites and I encourage you to read it, I think everyone should. We all have hard. You can't tell me someone else's hard is worse than another's etc. Instead of ranking each other's pain against another, commiserate on the fact we all have it. It's what we do with it or how we handle it that is most important.

As for me, if I looked at last few months, I've done more than I ever have and I couldn't be happier. I almost feel like I'm back to my old tricks and then some! But my body has not caught up yet. I just need to rest. I refer back to my original life lesson: Just Be. The foundation of everything I have learned these last few years. I am going to JUST BE and let me body catch up, and in the meantime make sure I take precaution in the details. But I'm not worried, because that has never helped me, and anyone else who is, please don't either. No, I'm not being a hero. I just no mine own self. Trust me, this isn't the worst of it. (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO

Brussels Attack

Yesterday, terrorists attacked our world once again. I think in the United States, we can be very empathetic to other countries, knowing the devastation it is to experience tragedy and loss such as this. 9/11 in this country is a date that truly will NEVER be forgotten. The George Washington Bridge is ten minutes away from my house, I remember the smoke and fog that day outside our windows that were coming from the city. We lost many people that day, many whom my family knew. I also remember March of 2004 when Spain was attacked. It was only a few years after 9/11.

I'll never forget Mike Lee Kanarek telling me about his thoughts that day. Being a man who has fought terror his entire life and lived war for many years of his life, when 9/11 happened, his first thought was "They're here." I'll never forget that recount of his. I happened to be at his school this past November on Friday the 13th, the same day Paris suffered it's terror attacks. Being with Mike Lee that day was incredible in itself, just hearing his insights and views on what is happening in the world. It's reasons like this that several military units ask for his expertise.

And now yesterday, terror strikes again. As an ambassador of the HaganaH system, I feel obligated to express to my HaganaH students and fellow brothers and sisters some very real principles that MLK reminds us of each and every time. Where some people may begin training in HaganaH because it's "cool" or to be a "badass" or because it's exciting, or because it's exciting and could be fun, as you continue your training, you realize there comes a responsibility as you develop from a lamb to a lion and then a lion sharpening your teeth.

In October in PA, Mike Lee reminded us that HaganaH is NOT a hobby, it is a necessity. When our lives and world is threatened, WE are the first responders to protecting,  preserving, and surviving. Whether it be our family, our friends, our wives, our children, or brothers and sisters, it is our responsibility to protect and have our brother's backs.

Five separate fingers are weak until crunched into one solid fist! We must ALWAYS remember we are as strong united as we are weak divided! May we always stand against the terror that threatens our world. The best never rest! (BOWS)

Yours in service,
MASTER A TRENTO