So long '09...

Well, its officially four days into the new year and the first training night back in Monterey so I figured I'd better post something before I head out to class and take my beating :) 2009 was an amazing year in life and training. I had more time with my wife and kids this past year than I've enjoyed in the last six. We have grown so close as a family. Training has been amazing too. There's nothing like a solid year of good training with great friends under an amazing coach to hook you even more...if that was possible to begin with!

Looking back though everyone usually asks themselves what they've learned from the previous, and well, I'm no different.

1. Faith and forgiveness are everything. Faith in God, family and friends must be the corner stone of a healthy life. Learning to forgive is much, much harder than expecting people to forgive you...but will release more baggage than you even realized you had!

2. Setting the bar high is perfectly acceptable with goals. Not reaching those goals even when you give 100% just as okay :) I've always told my friends and students that if you set the bar at mediocrity you'll hit it every single time! So I've always expected much, much more from myself than from others around me. The lessons for me here last year didn't come when I reached goals I set, they came from when I didn't reach them and re-evaluated and re-asserted myself for multiple attempts at them!

3. A punch is just a punch Mike :) Learning is a lifetime project.

4. Speak less and listen more. Its amazing what you'll learn! Yep, this one was a tough lesson for me :)

5. And last, but certainly not least, tell those in your life - family and friends - how much they mean to you as much as you can. Our days are numbered...and we don't know the total.

Thank you to each and everybody who has helped me stretch and grow throughout this past year. I can't wait for more of it this year!