01/29/2026
I would like to share with you a story:
There was. 14 year old boy whose name I will reveal at the end of the story. This boy was very ambitious. He dreamed of becoming a master with great knowledge, skill, and power. His pursuits brought him to his first mentor. This wise man helped the boy by giving him the skills necessary to climb the great mountain ahead of him. The training was rigorous and the obstacles great. He faced many opponents and failures, but remembering the teachings of his master, he never gave up and continued to climb his mountain. Eventually, as he reached the top of this mountain, a greater one stood behind it. As he pursued this other mountain, he met yet another master. And just like the master before, he taught the boy and gave him skills necessary to climb this even greater mountain. And like before, the boy reached the top and saw yet another mountain ahead. This cycle of Masters and Mountains repeated seven times. Eventually, as the boy walked down the mountain he just climbed, there again was an even greater mountain than all the previous ones. But there was no master to guide him this time. The boy’s heart sank. How was he going to climb this new mountain? Then he noticed a beautiful lake to the right of the mountain. The boy went to the lake and looked into the waters. To his surprise he saw his own reflection. The boy was no longer a boy, but a man. The hairs on his head were no longer black, but gray. Through his pursuits, he didn’t realize how much time had passed. But where was the mentor that would help him up the mountain? The gray haired man sat on a rock and pondered this situation. Moments later, a young boy came to him and said “sir, can you help me up this mountain?” Pointing to the great mountain near the lake. “I can teach you and give you the skills you need to climb it; but the journey is yours alone to make”
My name is Luis Guzman. And I have climbed these mountains many times. Now I help others climb their mountains. In my pursuits for greater knowledge, wisdom, etc; my journey took me to the Lake of Reflection. What I thought would make me a king, a hero; instead has given me something greater. I have become one of those who humbly helps and guides others to their personal greatness. At this point, I continue to perfect what I already know, not in the pursuit of greatness, recognition, or glory; but rather to cultivate what it took me years to gain and help others do the same.
Sincerely,
Luis Guzman
Life long student of Life and the Martial Arts
