My many faces

People always ask "What do you love more BJJ or writing?" My answer is "I love art." I've said in previous posts that BJJ is the only thing that feeds both the artistic and scientific parts of my brain, while quenching that thirst for competition that has driven me since I was young. Whereas writing is, for the lack of a better term, peaceful torment. Putting words to paper in a creative format forces you to run the gambit of emotions. They are really two sides of the same coin. They are both my therapeutic canvas, but for very different reasons. I can't live without both they are integral parts of the triangle that makes me whole. I've written poems about BJJ and many of novels include BJJ in some capacity. There have been many times where I've adjusted novels thanks to an idea that came to when I was trying to finish a submission. The mat is one of my favorite places to think; the mat and the bathroom work best for me. The shower is a thinking ma...

For the many who don't know who I am, my name is Romeo Barnes. I have two goals in life. 1)Use my artistic skills to become famous 2)Use my fame to change the world I've wanted to be a writer since I was 14. Trying to become a published author and get your BJJ Black Belt at the same time is not an easy task. Today as I type this I reflect on my position in both areas. As a self-publishing author I must market and promote my own work; yet, as a martial artist I am dependent on someone else to evaluate my skills and promote me to the next level. This is the paradox that is my life. On paper I have complete control, on the mat I must force things to happen as I control nothing. I don't mind living in this paradox as this a simple one compared the other paradoxes of my life which I'll get into in later installments. Its the balance of this paradox that is complicated. Are you comfortable with the paradoxes of your life?