Thanks for the LOVE!

So many of you have touched my heart with your messages of love and remembrances of Rudy and all three of our little furry companions.

Here is the one photo that I had hoped to post of Rudy, Cody and Athena in a Christmas card that John and I had put together, wow, 7 years ago. I didn't have access to it while on the road and without even telling anyone, except for John and Brett about it, my sister Punkin, always moved by Spirit, sent it to me so I am sharing it with all of you as one last testimony of how much joy our pets bring to us.

I will also take this time to let you know that Brett was offered a job to dance for one of the Top ten Ballet Dance companies in the world, the Netherlands Dance Theater. He is slated to start with them mid August so this springs performance with Lines Ballet will be his last and the last chance that we'll be able to see him in SF. He will be touring in Northern California sometime next year performing in Berkeley so we will have opportunity to see him gracing the stage with his amazing talent, but please if you can come see Lines April 17-26th.

Once again thanks for all the love and care and words of comfort in our loss of Rudy but he, Cody and Athena will forever bring smiles to our face and warmth to our hearts!

Love and Light, Jesse

Rudy's transitioned

Our Little Rudy has gone to doggie heaven. He had a seizure last night and had to be put to sleep. He was 16 1/2 year old. He had a great life and gave lots of joy to all who knew him. As I was reminded “Rudy was an unpretentious bundle of Love touching everyone’s life who met him.

His soulful eyes were unlike any dog I’d ever known. “It’s like he’s a person” people would say.

I got Rudy as a gift in 1993 from my BF Mark Smith when we lived in NYC. He was a curious little dog who would gallop like a pony whenever he had a toy or ball to play with. He never barked and never growled or said a mean thing to anyone. He would love strangers, friends and family all the same. Love unconditionally. That’s what he did and that was something that he reminded me to do every day of my life.
He had his share of tough battles his whole life. He was born with epilepsy, which I discovered when he was 2 years old. It freaked him and me out the first time he had a seizure. He got very disoriented and it would take me some time to let him be reassured that he would be ok. Eventually giving him medication would help to keep his seizures in check.

He was twice attacked by a pit bull, hit by a car, stolen then returned 2 days later. He had food allergies for which I had to watch that he wouldn’t eat red meat but if he got the chance he would devour an entire roll of Rolo Chocolates and Red Vines if I weren’t watching.

He had developed congestive heart disease the last couple of year and was on medication for that too. Needless to say I was the typical over protective parent when it came to his care.
Rudy and I have had lots of great times with many friends from all over the world. My Dear friend Robbie Browne in NYC was one such person with whom Rudy and I had the pleasure of creating memories. Taking a great ride along the Long Island expressway with the top down on Robbie’s 54 convertible was a special treat. Rudy loved his eyebrows blowing in the wind with one paw on the back of the drivers seat and the other on Robbie’s shoulder.


Rudy has been there for me through all of my life’s battles and triumphs. Dealing with health issues, relationships, family, travels and career. He always made me realize how blessed I really was to have him in my life reminding me that there are things in life more important than anything material could bring.


I need to thank my dear friend Doug Graham for being there on Rudy’s last day. Doug has known Rudy since he was a 1 year old pup in NYC. Doug came up from Palm Springs to care for Rudy and Bitsy while I've been away working. He's had the unfortunate but blessed opportunity to take Rudy on the journey to doggie heaven. It breaks my heart that I couldn’t be there to assist with Rudy’s transition but I guess that Rudy was already clearly absent since his last seizure 2 years ago from which he never fully recovered. Maybe this was Rudy’s opening to help me to let him go.

He will be greatly missed. John has been a great daddy to Rudy. He has helped me care for Rudy even while our relationship evolved, Brett too has taken to role of stepfather taking the extra care needed to help Rudy down the stairs to potty and for long late night walks.

Rudy I love you and you will always be in my heart and a part of my soul!



Love and Light, Jesse

January 2010

Here we are in a new year and a new decade. One that I feel is going to bring lots of change and growth in so many positive ways!

It seems as though Spirit has been moving a lot of loving, positive energy through so

many people this past year. Many of you, my close family and friends, have found renewed faith

and energy in a Power greater than any one of us. It's a Power that is strengthened by bringing us all closer together.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTbpuQzMnxA

This last year has made me appreciate even more, all the

challenges that I’ve had to deal with in my life. Having to face life threatening illness, having to deal with life altering accidents, having to adjust to taking life saving medications, life after several surgical procedures, the loss of loved ones, changes within relationships while still being able to maintain and build a friendship to be even stronger than before.

Almost anyone else would have just let go and succumbed to the path of least resistance, but it is my spiritual beliefs that help keep it all in check.

All is going very well with me. My personal training career is growing faster now and I’ve been learning a lot of the business side of owning my own personal training business. Let me tell you, it’s a lot of work! Not only have I had to create my own website and learn about advertising, but I also have to keep tight records for each client. Everything needs to be documented. It’s like working in a doctor’s office.

Being certified as a personal trainer also necessitates having to take continuing education courses (CEU’s). It’s required for my certification and it’s a requirement by Diakadi Body where I work exclusively with my clients. Each year I have to have 1.2 CEU’s for Diakadi and a total of 2.0 CEU’s for my NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) certification.

This is all good because I want to be one of the best in the field of Personal Training, and that’s a tall bill to fill. Everyone at Diakadi is so proficient in personal training because the owners of Diakadi (Billy and Mike) demand such and for that I am especially thrilled that I have been blessed to be a part of their team. I’ve been learning of many different styles of exercise, different teaching techniques, as well as how to use all the different apparatus that are available. It’s an exciting time to be a personal trainer. Helping people recover from injuries, surgery, helping to correct years of postural misalignment, or to just getting into better shape and setting themselves up for a life of optimum health and wellness for the long run! I love his work!

In October I was asked by Muttville.org to foster a rescue dog. I was walking Rudy down the street in front of the home of the organizations founder. She said that there was a little girl schnauzer that was coming to her that evening that looked like Rudy and that I should come meet her. So I returned that evening with Brett. We left with the little girl, Bitsy, agreeing to “foster” her to see how Rudy got along with her. She has actually helped Rudy to focus his 16+ years old eyes and has helped keep the spring in his step keeping his body moving in the right direction. Needless to say she’s a sweetheart and we adopted her November 25^th, just in time for Thanksgiving Holiday.

Brett and I drove down to Palm Springs to celebrate Thanksgiving with John, Rudy and Bitsy. John is doing and looking great by the way. John’s dad, Paul, and his girlfriend Jo, came to spend the rest of that weekend with the 5 of us. We had a great time and enjoyed the last of the warm weather of the year. We even had a fun trip to Home Depot that weekend too… lol.

Please hold positive healing thoughts and prayers for Jo’s health as she has been receiving treatments to rid her body of Cancer. She’s a wonderful woman and I’m so glad that we had a chance to spend some more time with her and Paul and John!

We’ve all got so much to share in this life and this is a great time to be alive. Don’t just listen to all the negative shatter that’s out there. Look beyond that and look deep into your heart. Slow down and quiet your self. Take 5 minutes to breathe deeply in though your nostrils and our through your mouth. Keep doing this as you focus on your breath and free your mind of all thoughts. Then after 5 minutes listen to what your mind is telling you. Write out your thoughts. Write from your own experiences. Maybe there are some things that you have written that you hadn’t realized. Maybe there are some thoughts that you can share with others. Don’t just follow, lead by example.

A great story that was recently shared with me by my niece Nena was of my dad. When she was young my dad showed her how to pour coke-a-cola into a glass so that it wouldn’t foam over. She shared that knowledge with her granddaughter. And just this past weekend she paid a visit to her granddaughter with whom she went to a restaurant. He granddaughter orders a can of coke. She poured it into her glass and said. “See grandma, just like grandpa showed you.”

It’s not what you do but how you do it that you’ll be remembered for.

Whether it’s on a daily basis or just on the periphery I am blessed to have you all in my life. We are all a part of one earth, one universe and ultimately power that is available in us and to us all.

In the health and wellness or on the path to being whole I send you Love and Light.

Always, Jesse

Weekly Updates

Hi Everyone,

Well it's that time of year again when the Holidays are upon us and we'd much rather have our teeth pulled than have to hear all those Jingle jingle's all the day long, but to keep our spirits bright all we need to do is remember that we are loved. Not only by those pesky credit card companies who've resorted to gouging our pockets (they'd probably gouge our eyes out if it would turn a profit) but loved by our family and friends. It's more important and much more cherished to give the gift of love in a hand written note card rather than any prepaid gift card or some unwanted nick-knack, paddy whack, give a dog a bone kind of senseless gift.

My gift to all of you is to keep my blog current on a weekly basis. I've had so many people, friends and family alike as well as fans from past photography projects who have asked that I keep everyone updated on my health status and journal my spirits journey because it's inspired people to take care of themselves and to be introspective. I found that people are encouraged to see someone go through what would otherwise seem the worst of time and life situations and pull through it stronger and healthier than they were before the tumulus events.

I'm no super man, I’m not a Hero. I’m just a man who loves life, a man who loves his friends and family. A man who has touched by the hand of God in the midst of life’s failings. I will always do my best to be here to share with you my truth and the life that God has given to me. A messenger I guess is what I am.

I'm not rich in the worldly sense but I am rich in the fact that I have always had the support of the familiar and from strangers alike. So to that end I find it my responsibility to continue to grow and nourish my own body, heart and soul by keeping it clear, clean and strong so that I am able to share with you what inspires me so that it might inspire you.

Life is happening all around us. Take the time to appreciate the beauty in all things big and small, because before we know it, all that we know and all that we love could be gone within an instant. Anything we’ve accumulated will mean NOTHING to anyone when there is nothing on their table to eat and not table to put that empty plate on. So put away those "Santa list" and start to give to those who really need our help the most, the hungry and the homeless. And remember pets need loving too. Volunteer or Give to charities, especially to those that are within your local communities. The Arts are a vital source of reaching out to touch the hearts of people, so don’t forget them either. Help others help themselves. Don't give a hand out but give a hand up.



God has given us this lifetime to share our lives and to leave our positive imprint on the face of the earth.

Nourish your soul and your spirit will soar. Keep your body healthy so that you can be at the ready incase ANYONE needs your assistance in a moments notice. If you're ailing, the readiness that you have will help you through the rough times!

I don't mean to sound preachy and if I do well then I guess it's something we really need to hear so my post from here on out will be ones that I hope will encourage, enlighten and enliven all who decide to take the journey with me.

God knows it's been a bumpy ride for me but I had purchased an "E" ticket years ago, when Disneyland used to require them... lol.

Be well and Happy Holiday. Until next week!

Love and Light, Jesse

9.09.09 I'm Back!

It’s now been 18 months since my open heart surgery and 11 months since my 7th and last ankle surgery and I’m doing great!

It was a bit weird going through the Labor Day weekend celebrating milestones for friends birthdays while the memory lingers of the loss of my dear friend Peter Baez on this weekend 2 years ago and my little schnauzer Athena only one year ago. I miss them both dearly. But I was also reminded of how lucky I am to have had them in my life and how grateful I am that all of you are in my life still.

Recap-

The beginning of January I started studying to become a certified personal trainer through the NASM, National Association of Sports Medicine, with a exam date of late April.

The end of February I went to Australia with my dear friends Steven, Graham and Marc and had a great time. It was my all paid invitation for a vacation from last year that had to be canceled because I had to get new heart parts put into my chest. What a great change from last years birthday celebration to be able to go “Down Under” not having to be “put under”.

After Australia I came back for 5 days and then I was off to Lyon, France to visit and work with Brett and the cast of Alonzo King’s Lines Ballet. It was amazing! The dancers were all so grateful to have me working on them as their massage therapist and I was in awe of their incredible talent and art form. Alonzo was an inspiration to watch as he created a new dance piece while these dancers were also performing nightly shows to sold out audiences. I never had cried so intensely watching a dance performance. It still touches my heart to recall those days this past spring.

I was studying as much as possible while in France to make sure that I passed my exam for NASM slated to be taken the end of April so I could start my Personal Training Buisness, tightandfit.com.

Needless to say, I was pushing the envelope a bit too far. I was exhausted by all the travels around the globe, but also because somewhere along the way I had ingested a parasite from food that totally kicked my ass, literally. I had lost 10 pounds from diarrhea by the time I returned to San Francisco. I was a little freaked out because I had planned to compete in the summer. I had no energy and had lost a lot of muscle mass. Not from a narcissistic point of view but from a general health standpoint. People were commenting on how “thin” I looked. Not a good thing to tell someone who really tries to just keep weight on for health sake! So then I started to feel like I wasn’t going to do what I had told myself I wanted to do. I had a business to start I couldn't slow down now.

I passed my NASM exam and started working at Diakadi Personal Training gym and wellness center mid May.

I entered my first bodybuilding competition less than 2 weeks ago on August 30, 15 pounds lighter than the weight I usually compete at, but I felt that I was in as good as shape as ever. I went into the competition with the goal of just getting up the courage to be back onstage, challenging myself to stay on top of my health, and to share with anyone who is struggling with weight issues or health issues or general self worth issues, that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Do the work and focus your energy in a positive manner.

I was so honored to have had many of my family members and friends in the audience in Pittsburg, CA for the Contra Costa Bodybuilding Championships, that it was difficult for me not to get emotional. Two of my uncle, both of whom had major bypass surgeries, and their wives were in the audience. I could see their faces in the stage lights reflection out glistening their smiles as I flexed and posed. Their teeth shining brighter and brighter as each passing moment of my posing routine to music played on. I could especially see my aunt Jenny holding here breath, maybe out of hope that I wouldn’t fall on my ass, but maybe more so because she couldn’t believe that she was watching her nephew, who carried her wedding rings down the aisle when he was 5 years old, strutting around in his brief attire after having had his chest cut open wide from collar bone to sternum to fix a faulty valve caused by a genetic disposition. Is that possible to have a genetic disposition and look like an anatomy chart for great symmetry and proportion? I guess that’s where the hard work comes in! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsP9UG46DFo

I know it’s been awhile since I’ve updated my blog but I intend to try to keep things updated at least a couple times a month since there are still quite a lot of news to report. I’m planning on going to Germany again to compete in the Mr. Universe competition in Hamburg the first week of December. My dear friend Angie Pacaldo is sponsoring me to go. She has been a shinning star in my life, and the life of my friends and family over the past year, and if anyone hasn’t had the chance to meet her, well, you’ll never forget her once you do! And that’s a good thing!

I need to acknowledge Brett Conway. He’s been so encouraging and supportive and watchful in helping me to do all the things I need to and want to do. He wants me to succeed and to be the best I can be. Thank you Brett!

Another person I want everyone to know about and acknowledge is John. John Ferrare. He’s an amazing man, an amazing human being. He’s gone through some tremendous growth this past year and it’s all good. He read Eckert Tolle’s, “A New Earth”. It’s opened up his heart to the life that he and I have shared over the past 8 years and his appreciation of it. We are the best of friends and we are glad to still be a big part of each other’s life. He has embraced my relationship with Brett whole heartedly as have all my friends and family who have met him.

It’s not been an easy road to take dealing with surprise after surprise in my life’s challenges but if it wasn’t for all my friends and family (whom I love and love me in return) I couldn’t have done it so easily. “You” are my prize! “You” are my strength. “You” are my inspirations for living and for striving to always be the best Jesse that I can be. Put your faith in God and His plan. With encouragement from and to one another we can all help to make this world a better place one step, one moment and one day at a time.

Love and Light, Jesse Garcia

My New Business Website

Hi all,

I trust life is treating you well and that
you're living life to the fullest!

All is well in my world and life is definitely spiraling upward.

I wanted to share my new Personal Training website with you, www.tightandfit.com. Please check it out and share you input with me.

I have also taken out an ad in Google Ads and listed my business in Yelp, the following link will get you to my ad space on Yelp. Feel free to write a review or testimonial etc. This will help add interest for my services!

http://www.yelp.com/e;AREABQ;lPH7I-N1gyqKHNtORJl1fA

I'll update you all to let you know how things are coming along!

Love and Light and best in health for everyone!

XOXO, Jesse

Untimely Death

This is my New Business Card I hope you like it

It has nothing to do with Untimely Death! :-)





I received the attached message in a forwarded email to me.

It's entitled

"UNTIMELY DEATH!!!!!!!!"
I made correctioins or comments in (RED)

.... BE SURE YOU SCROLL WAY DOWN TO SEE WHAT THIS MESSAGE HOLDS FOR YOU!!!! YOU JUST MIGHT BE SURPRISED!!! I WAS TOLD!!!


DID YOU KNOW THESE FACTS?

I SURE DIDNT TILL NOW




Death is certain but the Bible speaks about untimely death!



Make a personal reflection about this.....



Very interesting, read until the end.....




It is written in the Bible (Galatians 6:7):




'Be not deceived; God is not mocked:

for whatsoever a man sow,




that shall he also reap..






Here are some men and women who mocked God :


John Lennon (Singer):




Some years before, during his interview with an American Magazine, he said:



'Christianity will end, it will disappear.




I do not have to argue about


that. I am certain.


Jesus was ok, but his subjects were too simple, today we are more famous than Him' (1966).


Lennon, after saying that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, was shot six times. ( But not in 1966)





Tancredo Neves (President of Brazil ):


During the Presidential campaign, he said if he got 500,000 votes from his party, not even God would remove him from Presidency.( No such Quote found)


Sure he got the votes, but he got sick a day before being made President, then he died.



Cazuza (Bi-sexual Brazilian composer, singer and poet):


During A show in Canecio ( Rio de Janeiro ),


while smoking his cigarette, he puffed out some smoke into the air and said:'God, that's for you.'


He died at the age of 32 of LUNG CANCER in a horrible manner.(He really Died of AIDS complications not Lung Cancer)


The man who built the Titanic

After the construction of Titanic, a reporter asked him how safe the Titanic would be.





With an ironic tone he said:



'Not even God can sink it'



The result: I think you all know what happened to the Titanic (It wasn't God it was an Iceberg in the northern seas for crying out loud!)




Marilyn Monroe (Actress)



She was visited by Billy Graham during a presentation of a show.



He said the Spirit of God had sent him to preach to her.



After hearing what the Preacher had to say, she said:



'I don't need your Jesus'.



A week later, she was found dead in her apartment ( What do you think Billy said to her that made her take her life?)



Bon Scott (Singer




The ex-vocalist of the AC/DC. On one of his 1979 songs he sang:


'Don't stop me; I'm going down all the way, down the highway to hell'.


On the 19th of February 1980, Bon Scott was found dead, he had been choked by his own vomit. ( We now this one is for the books. Not a pretty way to die but I don't think that God would choke a man but maybe he was trying to get something horrible out of his belly so that he'd have a chance to live)

Campinas (IN 2005)

In Campinas , Brazil a group of friends, drunk, went to pick up a friend.....



The mother accompanied her to the car and was so worried about the drunkenness of her friends and she said to the daughter holding her hand, who was already seated in the car:


'My Daughter, Go With God And May He Protect You.'


She responded: 'Only If He (God) Travels In The Trunk, Cause Inside Here.....It's Already Full '


Hours later, news came by that they had been involved in a fatal accident, everyone had died,



the car could not be recognized what type of car it had been, but surprisingly, the trunk was intact..


The police said there was no way the trunk could have remained intact. To their surprise, inside the trunk was a crate of eggs, none was broken
(There are NO confirmed reports of the communitcation between the mother and the deceased daughter)

(This is my favorite story to bring home the fact that at least inviting him in would be the LOVING thing to do)



Christine Hewitt (Jamaican Journalist and entertainer)
said the Bible (Word of God) was the worst book ever written.



In June 2006 she was found burnt beyond recognition in her motor vehicle. (She was found burnt beyond recognition in her car after being attacked by an unknown number of assailants. Many claim she was "working on something big," and may have been murdered to prevent her news from reaching the public.)

(I don't believe is needed to tell us what the "Word" of God is. A word does not need to take up so many pages in a book. when that word is "LOVE".)


Many more important people have forgotten that there is no other name that was given so much authority as the name of Jesus.





Many have died, but only Jesus died and rose again, and he is still alive.


'Jesus'



PS: If it was a joke, you would have sent it to everyone.
So are you going to have courage to send this?.


I have done my part, Jesus said


'If you are embarrassed about me,


I will also be embarrassed about you before my father.'


You are my 8 in 8 seconds. I am not breaking this. No way! (Well I figured I would send it out on my blog which reaches about 130+ people directly and who knows how many more just from HITS to the blog)


I'M TOLD THIS WORKS!!!!! Bishop T.D. Jakes '8 Second Prayer.' Just repeat this prayer and see how God moves!!

'Lord, I love you and I need you, come into my heart, and bless me, my family, my home, and my friends, in Jesus' name. Amen.' (Hey, I say Prayers all the time. It brings me some peace of mind that I'm letting God, the Universe know that in a far off place someone who needs comforting has an extra heart, mind and soul sending them gestures of LOVE and Peace)

Pass this message to 8 people {EXCEPT YOU AND ME}..You will receive a miracle tomorrow. I Hope that you don't ignore and
let God bless you.


Origin unknown...

From Jesse
I love the scope of the message indeed, but as always there seems to be grandiose and sensationalized misinterpretations to make things look ugly and painted as evil as bad as they were there’s no need to make it worse than what they were. The message will still stand!

I checked out what "The Facts" were on some of these and they methods of death were not as reported in the text. But as I see it God does work his miracles. This I know since I'm still here 12 years later. For that Matter that I’m still here 15 months after my open-heart surgery. (I was truly blessed that the study I had agreed t participate in gave the doctors the opportunity to have found out I had an aneurysm and repaired it before it was too late)
We all know in our hearts of hearts what it is we need to do to bring peace into our lives and to support in the lives and souls of our loved ones.
Love is the key however that is shared on this planet is our journey to be sure. Yes, we don't know how long we have until we're called to the place where it all begins and I will go as gracefully and gratefully as I can muster. This doesn't mean that I won't be mad. It doesn't mean that I won't be sad. It doesn't mean that I won't fight until the bitter end, but I will know that I have made peace with my life and what God has offered through me in helping to bring LOVE to all that I do, and with everyone that I encounter with the best of my ability.
I am not perfect. I have down days. I have off days. But what brings me solace and comfort is the knowing that there are people who love me and care for me. And the One that I have always been able to count on is God. LOVE is His name.
Love as defined in the Dictionary: the mercy, grace, and charity shown by God to humanity


Love and Light, Jesse