Since moving to Austin nearly 2 years ago, I discovered a second home at the 'Fit Pit' boxing gym off Oltorf and Lamar.  One of the first things that I set out to do when I arrived in this city was to find a place to train.  After investigating all reasonable options I chose the Fit Pit.  After crossing some rail road tracks and driving down a street in the warehouse district of South Austin, I saw a stone monument with a pair of red boxing gloves etched on the facade telling me that I reached my destination.  I parked and was greeted by a set of 15 foot iron double doors, something one would expect to see on the set of the movie 'King Kong'.

As I walked into the gym I was surprised to note how clean the place appeared as most boxing gyms I had been to were filthy; this is not to say the pervading smell of sweat, testosterone, and blood weren't present, but rather obvious measures had been taken to restore some semblance of respect for basic hygiene.  Then I met Coach Art Cardenas, the owner of the establishment.  He warmly received me and offered a complimentary work out before allowing me to make my decision to train there regularly.  After working out a deal that fit my budget, I began my mission to familiarize myself with the gym and it's students.

Boxing gyms are like no other out there.  There is so much attitude from each fighter especially before one has had a chance to engage in sparring or combat.  Each fighter keeps their distance from newcomers (since new members tend to come and go) instead choosing to remain focused on their own training and self improvement.  Respect is earned in the ring.  Having boxed in several gyms over the years, I found it funny to find the same attitudes and behaviors here at my new home.

For me, boxing offers the opportunity to forget the stresses of daily living or a chance to help others forget theirs.  It provides a peace and serenity rarely discovered by those who fear it's inherent violence.  I started going to the gym everyday.  I became familiar with not only the residents, but also their training habits and patterns.  I took note of the serious 'fighters' and began to build a friendship with the 'regulars'.  After a while the gym started to feel like home, and it's inhabitants like family.  My work takes me away from town for days at a time and I find myself missing my gym and anxious to return to the city that hosts my passions.

When I was younger I wanted to compete and test myself.  It was important to beat my competition and direct my efforts at self improvement.  Now, while still operating on a competitive level, my pursuits have changed to maintaining my health and helping others achieve their own personal greatness.  I find myself stopping by the gym to 'hang out' and help where ever I can offer it.  I love spending time there and as I look forward to celebrating the feast of Thanksgiving with my loved ones, I will also remember and be grateful to the family I found at the Fit Pit.

Colonialism, Imperialism, Racism, and Eugenics.  These are terms used to describe collective beliefs held by the human race in an attempt to indoctrinate others.  These terms favor the advocacy of "empire" which seeks to expand and conquer new "territory" through the use of colonization to enhance the power and  influence of an entity.  Basically, a dominating group attempts to proselytize to another group (usually a smaller or less aggressive tribe) that the dominant faction's political, cultural, or religious perspectives are superior and should be adopted by the invaded group.  With the use of politics, force, sheer numbers, religion, art, and technology, nations were able to wage wars on other people in order to convert those masses into citizens or followers of their own (usually for tax and resource purposes).  The 'conquered' people were often forced to pay tribute, convert, or faced stiff penalties such as enslavement or death.  Many cultures are still haunted with the stigma of these past transgressions.  Some cultures have been completely eradicated all together.

Without condemning or condoning, it seems the practice of domination and subjugation lies within our genetics.  It is human nature to seek the 'upper hand' in situations involving the politics of ruling; whereby one or only a small few exercise control over the body.  This is seen in relationships, families, tribes, governments, and religions...

Charles Darwin is credited as the 'Father of Evolution'.  His theories explored the questions of how plants and animals came to be in their present form in the world today.  His theory of evolution basically discusses the concepts of natural selection and survival of the fittest.  It sparked mass controversy as it challenged both religious and secular ideologies on the subject of existence.  Today evolution is commonly accepted as science and taught in school much the same as it was regarded as heresy when Galileo first proposed that the earth revolved around the sun.

According to evolution, humans are classified as primates which share common ancestry to the Great Apes.  Our DNA is up to 98% identical to our ape "cousins".  Through scientific observations anthropologists have noted the similarities in behavior that humans share with our ape relatives, such as emotions, intelligence, mating rituals, and social hierarchies.  For example, apes have complex family structures and develop emotional attachments to their offspring and 'loved' ones (See Koko's Kittens).  They are capable of communicating and exhibit emotions such as happiness, joy, playfulness, sadness, and depression.  They are curious, intelligent, and resourceful.  They generally live within a tribe and follow leadership based upon 'respect' gathered from displays of dominance and strength or through political maneuvering.  Their leaders, typically alpha males or females, have to be able to settle tribal differences which sometimes turn violent in order to quell the pack and keep peace between the members.  In turn for their leadership, these 'alphas' are usually given first opportunity for access to food, mating, and resources.  The prosperity of the tribe depends largely upon the strength of their leaders and so their offspring offer the best chance to pass along the strong genes of leadership (it is our species genetic makeup to behave accordingly).

Shortly after the release of Darwin's book On the Origin of Species (1859), stories of feral children began to surface.  These are children that were raised in the wild without the benefit of society or formal education; instead relying on their prowess, intellect, and natural instincts to survive.  Such stories served as the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (1894) which detailed the accounts of the feral child Mowgli, who was raised by wolves in the jungles of India.  The story was written in the prose of a children's fable to cleverly explain morality.

Another story of the feral child archetype is Edgar Rice Burroughs' Tarzan of the Apes (1914).  This story is different in that it is told with a degree of metaphorical realism to speak to a maturing audience.  Unlike Mowgli the boy, it heralds the accounts of its protagonist, Tarzan, as he grows into a man.  (What's amazing is that Burroughs wasn't a writer, but worked many jobs before turning to writing after he decided that he could create better stories than the ones he found in pulp fiction magazines of his day.)

Tarzan was born in the savage jungles of West Africa to English Lord and Lady Greystoke (John and Alice Clayton).  After being marooned on a random African cove for nearly a year, Alice dies in her sleep and his father is killed in his bed by a marauding tribe of "Great Apes", leaving baby 'Tarzan' defenseless in his cradle.  One of the females among the group, Kala, a mother who had recently experienced the death of her own infant "took up the little live baby of Alice Clayton [as] she dropped the dead body of her own into the empty cradle; for the wail of the living answered the call of universal motherhood deep within her wild breast which the dead could not still".

Tarzan was raised by a powerful ape tribe and while he was never fully accepted for his conspicuous differences, he grew strong and wise in the ways of the jungle.  He used his human intellect to create tools and weapons; he discovered his biological parent's cabin and personal effects which included educational books where he meticulously studied until he deciphered how to read.  His use of his father's hunting knife made Tarzan more than a formidable adversary to the other bull apes and animals who might provoke him; in other words, Tarzan became the most powerful, intelligent, and resourceful hunter in all the Jungle.

His accomplishments angered the jealous leader of the apes, Kerchak, until Tarzan was forced to kill the patriarch after being challenged.  This made Tarzan the de facto leader of the tribe, which wasn't part of his ambitions and he quickly grew tired of the tedious work of settling tribal disputes and the monotony of repeated hunting and sleeping.  He knew that he didn't truly belong to his adopted tribe and so after selecting another leader, he left.  Tarzan knew of his species through his reading and discovered that he wasn't an ape at all, but belonged to the race of man.

In his solitude, he had discovered other 'tribes' of humans indigenous to Africa living in huts near the jungle.  These humans were black in color and practiced cannibalism.  Tarzan decided not to engage them as he found them to be cruel in their torturing of captives before eating them.  His judgement stemmed from his being raised by the laws of the jungle where almost all animals hunted exclusively to feed, except in cases of "Sheeta, the leopard, alone of all the jungle folk, [who] tortured his prey".  These black humans, "were more wicked than his own apes, and as savage and cruel as Sabor [the lioness], herself."

While living alone near his parent's cabin he discovers some derelict 'white apes' of his own species.  Having witnessed humans with the African cannibals he decides to observe before making contact but it was when he sees Jane for the first time that he feels 'animal attraction'.  After observing some of these white humans behaving with cruelty and poor treatment of their peers, Tarzan concluded that not all humans, black or white, are to be trusted.  He remained hidden from view in the lush jungle verdure while he kept a close watch on Jane, who captured his longing for companionship.

Tarzan was born into a world where he didn't belong.  Only through the grace of Kala, his mother, was he able to survive.  He sensed his differences at an early age and felt shame for being an outcast.  Only with maturity did he embrace his differences such as his intellect and grow to become strong and capable.  While he had the company of his ape tribe, he learned from his books that he belonged to the 'race' of man and felt alone.  The discovery of Jane filled a desire in his heart to finally have companionship; however, he knew that he was ignorant to the language and customs of these people (except for his ability to communicate in writing).  He discreetly wrote a small note to his guests (including Jane) which introduced himself and gave the jettisoned humans permission to stay in his cabin while they waited for rescue.

Tarzan watched in seclusion over his jungle guests and saved them several times from wild beast attacks before pursuing Jane after she was kidnapped and taken into the jungle by a rogue ape.  She was grabbed and carried off in the trees to a far away jungle sanctuary where Tarzan was able to pursue and ultimately defeat her jungle captor.

After her abduction, Jane was startled "like a frightened deer... Tarzan comforted her as Kala had done for him by holding her close and kissing her forehead".  "She could not analyze her feelings, nor did she wish to... She was content to feel the safety of those strong arms", to which she felt trust like "few other men of her acquaintance".  Here, Burroughs touches upon the instinctive desire of Jane to seek safety and security through feeling and emotion over logic and reason.  Her feelings transcended language and culture as Tarzan evoked her "primeval" nature in his gentle attempts to make her feel safe and secure.  To wait out the dangers of night, Tarzan built a small hut of branches and leaves in addition to gathering fruit for them to eat .  In an attempt to provide further security he presented Jane his father's hunting knife for her to sleep with which helped her to sleep soundly and feel safe with her rescuer watching vigilantly outside the shanty.

Burroughs tale of the feral human goes on to describe Tarzan's pursuit of Jane through the world as he travels across the globe, learning new languages, and acquiring wealth so as to learn the conduct of man.

Tarzan is the story of the alpha male.  It is a cleverly written adventure that details the accounts of man's journey from defenseless and dependent child into a strong, intelligent, capable human being.  It touches on the subject of eugenics or the idea of "good breeding" which I have chosen to interpret as the innate biological instinct of humans to seek a mate that is perceived to have the best genes for the survival of offspring (as opposed to the notion of a superior race).

The story first began with describing Tarzan's parents as being brave people of good character when they stood up for their beliefs in showing compassion and protecting a life from harm on their transport ship (which ironically led them to be stranded).  They were from English aristocracy, which alone doesn't guaranty good character, but they were from social positions that enabled them to interact with both the rich and poor alike. 

John Clayton provided and protected his wife on the ship and ultimately on the African coast; whereas, Alice nurtured and cared for her husband and child up until they day she died.  They were intelligent enough to build shelter (strong enough to last more than 20 years), and survive for as long as possible before succumbing to the treachery of the jungle.  They died loving one another which illustrates the kind of parents Tarzan descends from; he is the princely heir of nobility and "good breeding".

While Tarzan is raised unaware of his roots, he receives the graceful care of a nurturing mother in Kala, who protects him until he is able to survive on his own.  This not unlike the parallel of a future king being born in a jungle manger who struggles between fitting in with his tribe and eventually becoming their leader.

I enjoyed reading Burroughs' Tarzan; however, I was keenly aware of the underlying subtext of imperialism at work.  Descending from a country that was colonized by the British, I understand the impacts such a campaign can leave on a people many years after these events have taken place.  I do not support the forceful coercion of a group to alter their beliefs through shame, selfish politics, or threat.  I found many passages in his writing to be misinformed and ignorant such as lions being ubiquitously found in the African jungles (Lions are rarely found in the jungle but rather on the plains where they hunt).  Burroughs had never set foot in Africa before using his imagination to write his scenic descriptions (rather he relied on hearsay and conjecture).  He had originally included tigers in his African jungle setting to which his editors had him change them to lions since tigers are not indigenous to Africa.  Burroughs' idea of the 'perfect' jungle man may well have been white in race, and brown in complexion (since he had to be some color for the reader to identify); however, the reason that people of non-native African descent were in Africa to begin with was for reasons of imperialism.  Burroughs portrayal of Blacks and Africans are less than exemplary as illustrated with Tarzan's introductory note describing himself as "Tarzan, killer of beasts and many black men".  Clearly Burroughs may not have been aware of how ignorant his writings may have come off to readers of color (he may not have even cared).  Furthermore, he describes Esmerelda, the black servant caretaker of the Porter family, as an obese, fearful, and generally useless member of the party (her literary use is for comic relief).  Her sole purpose is to provide contrast to the beautiful Jane who is young, intelligent, courageous, and white.  Besides being ignorant of Africa, the jungle animals, and people from other races, Burroughs does a good job of telling the story of "the feral man".  Critics always have an opinion, and it is my opinion that the story of a hero should appeal to everyone who stands for righteousness (regardless of race or religion).  I believe Tarzan is that hero, even if his story is told with the indelicacy of racial insensitivity.  His story set the tone for comic book heroes such as Superman, Captain Marvel, and Batman.  Heroes that serve to inspire young and fertile minds to aspire to become more than they thought they were capable of.

Having been born and raised in a non-native habitat myself, I too can relate to Tarzan of the Apes in his struggle to find his place in the world.  I recall having a similar experience to first laying eyes upon my very own "Jane" after nearly 20 years of being without companionship to someone from similar origin.  I too remember the sting of ultimately having to let go of that individual as we were from two separate worlds and could not see a practical future together, much like Tarzan had to face when Jane agreed to marry one of her own kind.  It's a bittersweet tale but does a beautiful job at telling the story of a man's search for meaning in his existence and what separates him from all the other 'animals' in the jungle.

“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. To be your own man is hard business. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”
― Rudyard Kipling

A friend of mine once told me, with regard to relationships, most people suffer from one of two fears;  Fear of abandonment or fear of constriction.  I suppose it all depends on the situation, but I know that I personally struggle with the fear of losing my freedom.

As I get older I am starting to realize that the gifts of health, wealth, and relationships will eventually disappear.  We work so hard to acquire these things as they help us on our life's journey, but when we start to lose them it becomes painful as we struggle to cope with the loss.  The Buddhist culture teaches that 'desire' is the root of suffering.  It discusses the temporal nature of life, that 'attachment' is the cause of suffering, and that there is freedom in learning to let go of the things that hold us attached to this earthly existence.

I've observed my 8 yr old nephew develop strong attachments to his parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and family friends since his birth.  I vividly remember watching him cope with the reality of sharing his parental attachment with the birth of his sister (he cried and clung to his Grandmother).  His sister, not knowing anything else, came into the world with a different set of attachments including her big brother.  For him, letting go of the exclusive share of attention that he received for the first years of his life was traumatic, but he quickly adapted as children often do.  Sibling rivalry is based upon the competition for parental attention as survival instincts drive us to fight for limited resources.

In addition to relationships, we acquire material possessions such as wealth and tools that make life more pleasant and enjoyable.  We learn to appreciate our health as we develop our bodies to accomplish things great and small.

It takes practice learning to let go of the big things such as love and relationships.  I wrestle with the reality of aging and coming to terms with the fact that my body struggles to keep pace with my younger self.  I have been involved with athletic competition since I was a boy.  I'm acutely aware of my capabilities and limits.  I've recently begun to notice the development of arthritic stiffness in my joints from repetitive usage and scarred tissue from sustained damages.  It takes me longer to warm up before I can perform without discomfort.  I am dealing with diminished reflexes and longer recovery periods, and the reality of this only getting worse.  The prospect of aging brings new challenges to face and ultimately conquer.  I can choose to ignore the signs and continue the old path until further injury, or I can appreciate the fact that I've pushed myself to the point that few others can beat.  I can look back and take stock of my accomplishments without regret by taking full advantage of my youthful abilities with the benefit of gained wisdom, skill, and residual health.

Another area where I struggle with detachment is in regard to my small business.  I'm the son of a business owner and have spent a third of my life building an enterprise that I feel is both profitable to the community and the investor.  With the influence of my family, education, past employment, and popular culture I was able to construct an idea into reality (this realization alone is a worthy accomplishment).  It took many years of hard work, trial, error, and constant vigilance to hone my business model into something that produced the desired results.  Even when positive traction was achieved I found that I couldn't relax for too long without a new challenge presenting itself.  I discovered the need for delegating responsibility and relinquishing some profit in order to possess peace of mind and freedom.

One thing that I've always respected about my father was his work ethic.  He was the first business owner that I got a chance to see grow his enterprise from humble beginnings as an employee into the Chief Executive Officer.  As a child I was quite proud of his title instead of appreciating the actual work needed to run a successful business.  He worked long hours and endured great stress to make sure that my mother, brothers, and I were provided for.  I recall his salt and pepper hair seemingly turn from black into gray within the first year of starting his company (It's something I've also noticed with Presidents of the United States).  He worked early in the morning until late at night, many weekends, and rarely took time for personal relaxation (somehow he still made time for our family).  I've always admired his drive, but decided that this style of running a business was not my ideal.  I wanted my business to work for me rather than the inverse.  I value freedom more than money (unfortunately a little money is needed to achieve some measure of freedom).  My father was/is a workaholic to which I witnessed his vice consuming its host.  From this I concluded that I would work for my freedom from vice and enslavement. 

After a few years, I began to notice that I too was becoming a captive to my business.  I would eat, sleep, and wake to my creation.  I needed to develop a strategy that would free me without forsaking what I had worked so hard to build.  I deeply considered my other dreams and aspirations so that I could take a step back, examine my priorities, and construct a plan to include them in the future.  The next step was to delegate my business responsibilities to those I felt could lead the company while taking a step away to observe.  I learned much...

I literally removed myself from the 'office' for the period of a year.  I kept a close eye on the subtle workings of my business under the supervision of delegates and feedback from the rest of the company.  I discovered that without effective leadership things can fall apart quickly.  If I was to truly have the peace of mind to run a business from remote I would have to develop a system of trust based upon checks, balances, and fair compensation.  If I was to truly become free to chase my dreams, I needed to learn how to 'let go' with confidence.

My dreams included the ability to travel, live in another city, and develop my skills as a writer.  All of which involved entrusting the running of my company in the capable hands of others.  In order to accomplish this it became necessary to identify and develop the characteristics of good leadership.  I noticed that some were better suited to these tasks than others.  Some simply wanted the recognition and compensation without putting forth the effort to be effective leaders.  I learned to filter lip service and pay attention to actions.  I became a student of observing human character.  I learned to identify the traits that separated leaders and followers.  I learned that in order to be a good leader, I too needed to become proficient at following my own expectations.  Thus, I became aware of the value of leadership.

Leaders are individuals capable of following expectations in addition to influencing others to do the same.  They can be trusted because it is in their character to do what they agree to do, to practice what they preach, and to  keep themselves in integrity.  Once leadership is recognized and developed, these individuals can be counted upon to 'step up' and lead the organization so that old leaders can finally relax and 'let go'.

"During my boxing career, you did not see the real Muhammad Ali. You just saw a little boxing and a little showmanship. It was after I retired from boxing that my true work began"
― Muhammad Ali