Motivation and Humility~*

To accomplish what we want, we need to know what we need to know and be the person we need to be; we are where we need to be, where we have aimed our thoughts. Open your mind, be humble, otherwise you take the risk of staying where you are. Until we become humble, in our stubborn mind, we cannot profit by the wisdom, experiences and thoughts of others; there is always room for improvement.

Motivation is needed all the time we breathe and even more when we don’t trust in who we are and in what we do. Believe in yourself! Unless you have confidence in yourself, you will not be able to accomplish anything but more unaccomplished dreams and frustrations.

Blindly believe in you and in what you do and in what you can accomplish and act, regardless, even if you have the highest obstacle in front of you. The only thing that stops you from crossing, climbing or going through that huge obstacle is what you think about yourself.

The size of your self-esteem, your essence and your confidence has to do directly with the image you have about you and who you really are. Your essence energizes the movie, which plays in your mind, every time you have to cope with a task or face a challenge. It is the voice that is telling you that you will, only can do, accomplish or reach very little, or even worse --- nothing.

Thoughts create or magnetize our personality and attitude. Dominating thoughts will eventually reproduce themselves in outward physical actions and gradually transform into physical realities. The thoughts we have, from the time we wake up, will definitively determine our attitude, our day. We bring to our lives what we think about most of the time and where we guide or focus our mind, is where we end up.

Starting in the morning, we make choices. We either decide to accept negative thoughts and therefore spoil our moments and even our day, weeks or years, or we decide to plant positive images in our mind and have days full of satisfaction, happiness, prosperity, peace and all the beauties that life has for all of us.

Influence your thoughts so you will stimulate your action and you will gradually become a self-reliant, confident and successful person. Until we die, we all need motivation. Keep yourself motivated, create the habit of been motivated every day; focus, breathe, smell, laugh, dream, do, touch and hold motivation.

There are so many things for which we should be appreciative, for which we should have hope, be grateful for and therefore motivated. Talk to yourself as much you can. Imagine and feel yourself accomplishing all you want. Think about the things you already have accomplished and also the accomplishments that have brought you confidence, satisfaction and happiness to your life.

Yes, you can. There is nothing impossible to the person who has a definite and clear purpose. You are a person, so you only need a definite purpose. Every morning, every day, when you are in front of the mirror, talk to that special person in front of you and tell him/her how good, smart, valuable, capable, intelligent and loved he/she is.

Take action, If now you cannot do great things, try to do small things great. Now you may not see any door open but once you believe totally and blindly in yourself and believe that you can do whatever you decide, many doors will open for you. It doesn’t matter your background, it doesn’t matter where you are coming from, but they will not open until you get ready and it is entirely up to you. You are not defeated unless you defeat yourself.

Gratitude, responsibility, honesty and self-respect are things you must make sacrifices for because without them, you are nothing. So be respectful, responsible and honest. Be confident, have trust and blindly believe in you. Stay motivated and enthusiastic, with a burning desire to succeed. Be clear in life. Create a plan, focus only on that plan and take uninterrupted action with passion, discipline and patience. And above all, don’t worry about the results; definitively you will succeed when all the pieces of the puzzle get in their place
--- Copyright © 2009 Eduardo Dominguez

I just read this today and I do not know about you, but it made me think. It made me think about how God gives us each and every day. A new day. A new day to accomplish what seem to be impossible tasks, and reach those dreams that seem to be so far out of sight. I hope this opens your eyes like it did mine, and I hope it motivates you and makes you realize that YOU are the keeper of your own future, what you do with it is up to you. You can do anything and be anyone that you want to be. For those who know me, know my #1 saying that has always kept me going. It is that, I CANT REALLY MEANS I DON'T WANT TO!
GOD BLESS YOU*

AIM USA TOURNAMENT

Once again I had great time with the students and instructors of AIM USA! Owner Dave Johnson invited me to come out and do a couple demonstrations and spend the day at his tournament again this year. I have had the pleasure of meeting some amazing young, up and coming martial artists! I always love to come to the AIM Tournaments! Through performing every year, I have made and bunch great friends, and I would like to thank every one of those friends for your continued support and encouragement!
I had a really good time and really enjoyed seeing so many kids with high hopes and big dreams heading down the same road I did. This is where it all begins! For every competitor, keep training and practice practice practice! You can do anything you want to do and be anyone you want to be if you're willing to work for it, I'm all the proof you need because I'm a kid just like you!
~Thank You So Much Again For All Of Your Support! I look forward to seeing you again in march!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This, the spirit of Christmas, that forever and ever endures. May it leave its richest blessing in the hearts of you and yours.

I hope everyone has a very merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Welcome Home Sgt. Shane Sherer! OUR AMERICAN HERO

I am so honored to have been a part of such a very special welcome home. Today several hundred grateful citizens came together at the Gerald R. Ford Intl. Airport to welcome home Sargent Shane Sherer from Afghanistan where many months ago he was hit by Taliban mortar fire and was injured near death. He had massive injuries to his head and body and was not expected to survive-yet I had the honor of welcoming him home with a hug and a thank you today. I can't tell you how it made me feel to look into this soldiers eyes and say "Thank You." Sgt. Scherer was moved to tears at the sight of all of us there just for him. There wasn't a dry eye in the place. Every media station in Grand Rapids was there and several news papers too. I think, now especially at Christmas, we all appreciate our troops even more. Sgt. Sherer has a great sense of humor too! When Mrs. Bennett introduced us, she told him I was a world champion in martial arts and guess what he said! "Just don't kick my a$, I've been thru enough!" I just hugged him and cried.

A little background on Sgt. Scherer:
May 29, 2009, Sgt. Shane Scherer was seriously injured serving in the US Army as a Calvary Scout, in Northern Afghanistan, by a mortar round. Twelve days before Shane was to return to the US, his military base was attacked by the Taliban and he was near the blast that left his body covered with shrapnel, a severed artery, severe damage to his right hand, and a major brain injury. Emergency surgery was done in an Afghanistan hospital to save his life on the severed artery and brain. The doctor in the hospital performed this life saving surgery by removing a huge part of his skull to protect the brain from the swelling, on the phone with the help of a more experienced doctor. Shane was not anticipated to live through the night. Since that night Shane has had 20 surgeries and has been recovering in Bethesda Naval Hospital in Washington D.C., and the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, California. Just this week he was finally released from the VA Hospital, and will be doing his out-patient recovery at the Army Base at Ft Lewis, Washington Brain Trauma Center. Shane had to wear a helmet to protect his brain until his reconstructive surgery to rebuild his skull in September. The surgery on his finger was successful and the joint was rebuilt, so his has use of his finger. The thumb has limited movement and that surgery was not as successful. Scars remain over his entire body, but not his face. Recovery has been very long and difficult, but Shane has had such a great positive and determined attitude that he has made a remarkable recovery.

He received a Purple Heart from the US Army in July. At present the Army is working on a medical discharge and after that Shane hopes to return to college to get a Masters Degree. He does have disabilities, but can walk, talk, and think, and with time we all hope he can reach his goals he has set for himself in life. Since Shane's injuries, his fiance', Jacqueline Bennett of Lowell has not worked, but instead sat by his bedside, and been there as his biggest advocate. Their wedding had to be cancelled and rescheduled for June 2010.

Shane has never been to Michigan, but will be visiting with Jacqueline, to her home town of Lowell, for Christmas.

Sargent Sherer- I hope you get to read this one day. I want you to know that it doesn't matter that I don't know you personally. I appreciate you and your service to our country as if you were my brother. Thank you, for all you've done to protect us here at home and keep us safe from the horrors you've seen and had to live over seas. God bless you always. Psalm 91:11 "He will command his angels to watch over you..."

A final thought. Take time. Take time out of your busy day to thank a soldier or veteran. It only takes a minute and it means more than you know. I saw the tears roll down the Sgts. face when he got his well deserved Thank you and "Welcome Home." They deserve so much more but this is the least we can do for them.

WOOD TV 8 Story: http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/kent_county/Lowell-embraces-injured-soldier

FOX 17 Story: http://www.fox17online.com/news/fox17-wounded-soldier-receives-michigan-welcome,0,7791253.story

WZZM TV 13 : http://www.wzzm13.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=116876

MLIVE: http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/12/lowell_gives_heros_welcome_to.html

It's not too late to meet Sgt. Sherer! One more big WELCOME HOME from the City of Lowell. Join me on Wednesday December 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lowell Showboat when we gather one more time to wish the Sgt. well, say THANKS!, and there's a special treat! My friend Brennan Prill is going to sing "God Bless America" Celine Dijon style! See you there

World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Midwest Regional Championships

Double Stick Fighting(I'm in Black)

My Jornales System Team Mate Mel

My Jornales System Team Mate Wendy Wigger-Jornales

Me

Wendy and I

OH What a day. For those of you who know me, you know I never say "I can't" and I never quit. Well, I have to say, the past few days have been a real test to my constitution. I have had full blown flu since Wednesday the 14th and today is the 19th! Tournament was on the 17th - and the rules are clear. You must qualify at regionals to move on to nationals. There was no way, flu or no flu, I would go down without a fight.

On Friday I traveled to Milwaukee Wisconsin for the WEKAF Midwest Regional Championships. The car ride was a killer...but when we got to the hotel, with the help of Nyquil, I got some good rest and was ready to face the tournament day on Saturday. WOA! Was I sick. I did my form, left the ring and fell to my knees. But I made it through. Happy to say, I took first in Traditional Multiple Weapons. I had some time to rest before fighting, ate a bagel and drank some Gatorade...and took a nap until they called me to the ring. I am also very happy to report that I will keep my regional titles in Full Contact Single Stick Fighting and in Full Contact Double Stick Fighting. As sick as I was, the exhibition fight was a blast. I don't know where the burst of energy came from, but, there is tremendous power in prayer. I LOVE to perform and I LOVE to compete but I have to admit, the flu really took the wind from my sails and kicked my butt. This was a hard one...but, I DID IT. Nationals, HERE I COME!

WEKAF Midwest Regional Championships

Just an update.
On October 17, 2009 I will head to Wisconsin to compete at the Midwest Regional Championships.
I will be competing in traditional multiple Weapons using the Hook Tabak-Patalim, in Single stick fighting, and also double stick fighting.
WISH ME LUCK, AND PLEASE KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS :)

NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL KARATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Just this past Saturday I went to Detroit for the North American International Karate Championships, hosted by none other than Mr. Conell Loveless.
A few months ago Mr. Loveless asked me to do a weapons demo at his tournament, and of course I was in like Flynn! Well, a few days before the tournament I decided, what the heck, I'll just compete for the fun of it.
What an amazing event. There were over 300 competitors from atleast 3 states and Canada and there were over 100 divisions!
Well, I ended up competing in Traditional weapons, where I did the Hook Tabak-Patalim, and open weapons division, where I performed to the song "Bodies" by Drowning Pool using my signature, the Tali-Bong. I ended up placing 1st in both. From there I moved on to compete for one of the four spots to compete for Grand Champion. All Black Belts taking first in Forms and Weapons in all divsions competed......and I took Second, respectable, ...but not a spot I like! It lit a fire under me, and I must say, I was very motivated by the prizes. AN I POD TOUCH AND AN ENORMOUS GOLD CUP! So later that night at the nighttime extravaganza everyone in the running for a grand championship performed in an auditorium up on stage. Now, I have been to many tournaments and have never seen this before, and I definitely LOVED it! I performed between two divisions first, then 10 minutes later, I was up to compete! There were about 12 judges sitting in the very front row, hot lights above, and some fierce competition. But I performed like there was no tomorrow because this was my very first time competing as a Black Belt, and this meant the world to me. I gave it everything I had. And I have the battle wounds to prove it! Blisters on my bloody blisters and the ropes on my weapons are bloody too! (Too much information?) Sorry, I'm proud of them. It proves I work hard.
As the Four of us were standing center stage waiting for the announcement of Black Belt Grand Champion, I wasnt really sure who the winner was. I was as nervous as I could possibly be. Every single person I competed against was AWESOME. We were just different. Then Mr. Loveless announced, "And the 2009 Black Belt Grand Champion is...........................MARIAH MOORE!!!!!" I wanted to jump up and down and scream myhead off and my heart out! Still in shock, I was handed my 5 lb. trophy that is a huge Gold Cup on a glossy mahogany base! NO JOKE, ITS AS BIG AS THE STANELY CUP!...then an engraved iPod Touch! (it says :NAIKC 2009 Grand Cahmpion)
This tournament was the next best thing to the World Championships. Very classy.

THANK YOU MR. LOVELESS FOR AN AMAZING DAY AND NIGHT! I CANNOT WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!

Me and my Gorgeous monstrous amazing Gold NAIKC Stanely Cup!

Weapons Demo

Open Weapons Competition


Blisters on my blisters!

The Big Finish!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT! 2010 MARIAH MOORE, THE ESKRIMADORA CALENDARS ARE HERE!

My sponsors have come through for me big, AGAIN!

A great big thank you to Lawrence Heibel Photography for providing all of the beautiful and amazing photographs for the calendar.

Another great big thank you to KWON Martial Arts Supply for providing most of the clothing, equipent, and gear I use every day!

AND

Last but definitely not least, NWC PRINT for doing all the artwork, layout, and printing! What an amazing job! Special thanks to Lance Crawford and Aunt Bev Merchant. YOU ROCK! I know you worked hard to get these out in record time for me.

CALENDARS AVAILABLE NOW. THIS IS A LIMITED EDITION AND SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED. 20.00 FREE SHIPPING! All funds will be used to cover the training, travel, and expenses associated with the 2010 World Championships where I will defend my titles in Full Contact Double Stick Fighting and in Traditional Multiple Weapons. Thanks for your support!

You can reply to this post or email me at stickgirrl@gmail.com

NWC Print Livonia Michigan - American Red Cross BLOOD DRIVE! Volunteer! It's a great thing!

What a great day! I spent today with NWC PRINT employees and clients who were holding a very important event- A BLOOD DRIVE with the Amercian Red Cross. We took some fun photos, had a meet and greet, and I performed for everyone. The Red Cross collected the blood, and where there was resistance, I gave them a helping hand! LOL Check out these fun pictures! I had a great time and met some good people. Look forward to the next one!

OF SPECIAL NOTE: I look forward to a great new relationship with the American Red Cross! Today I met Trudy Smith who organized and supervised the big event. As it turns out, The American Red Cross is having a big dedication in Westland this Saturday September the 26th! I am honored to have been invited to make an appearance and do a performance when one of the major car dealerships donates several cars to the Red Cross!

Me with Mark(aka Buddah) Mendoza who planned the event for NWC PRINT

Unsuspecting Victim!

Me with Co-owner Beverly Merchant

Me with Owner and President David Merchant

Me with Aaron, a client of NWC and Blood Donor

Performing with the Talibong(swords on ropes)

Performing with the Hook Sword and Dagger on rope

Trudy Smith (Regional Red Cross Representative) and I

Jamie Merchant and I

WELCOME WOODS! Halloween in September!

Me with The SToRyTeLlEr! Jeff Veley!


Singing Autographs

New Friends!

Welcome Woods Owner- Chuck with Me-


On Labor Day weekend every year, WELCOME WOODS CAMPGROUND in Hastings Michigan celebrates Halloween in July. My Gram Rose and Papa Larry spend most of their summer out there and this is the second year now that they asked me to come out and celebrate with them. I've made some good friends out there and look forward to this event. It's always so much fun and everybody is so friendly and nice. We had a great time and also had a very special guest this year. My storyteller and Emcee, Jeff Veley. He told the amazing tale of the "Beast in the Fields of the Philippines" and the female child of a Grand Master who was born to battle "The Beast". Of course, "SHE" was ME! What a great introduction. Jeff, when I make my big break, I'm takin' you with me! Anyway, the beast was slain with fire and we all lived to tell about it! Chuck, Rose, Larry, PJ, Mom, Dad, and everyone who donated and bought shirts and cards to help me fund my trip to the 2010 World Championships, Thank You, Thank You, Thank you! I raised enough at WELCOME WOODS to pay for my USA uniform for the world championships where I'll defend my titles in July in MEXICO!

Fieldstock! Always a fun time!

In northern Michigan, specifically Onaway, Labor Day means FIELDSTOCK! A great big ole' party in a field in the middle of no-where that goes on for about 3 days straight. I was so happy to be a part of it all again this year! I got to see lots of family and friends and a fun time was had by all! Bands come from all around and everyone is welcome and nobody pays a dime to get in. IT's a FREE FOR ALL! I got to perform a couple times, signed some autographs, hung out and even played with fire-literally! HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN NEXT YEAR!