In Paris with Viktor Kee!

February 7, 2015 – Getting back to the writings for my blog (https://kitsummers.com/blog/), as you know, after my trip to Australia and New Zealand I kind of got away from writing for the blog. This will be the beginnings of many words upcoming. I love adventures, this is a new one.

Around January 20, 2015, Viktor Kee and I connected via Facebook. He told me of his foundation

http://viktorkeefoundation.com/

and that they were meeting at The Cirque de Demain in Paris in a week to talk about his foundation. He wanted me there with them. So, on January 28, I flew to Paris for six days to be at:

http://www.cirquededemain.com/

Here is a video of Viktor and his amazing juggling and performance:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEJF0YM94u4

So, we talk and only 5 days later it was off to Paris.

I am so happy to be able to help people through his organization.

The day before I was to leave was the big snow storm. They had said it would be the worst in many years—it amounted to very little after all. It’s terrible how forecasters always forecast the worst a storm can possibly be, so that way everyone tunes in to watch the news. I do like challenges, and going to Paris so quickly was a big one.

As I left home there would be a two hour bus trip to JFK airport, which went quite smooth. Before I left I did not know if the bus would get me to the airport in time to get through the international detailed check out before I could leave. Everything had to be quite precise to get me there on the correct times. Then, at the airport, getting through the lines was not too long a process. Viktor booked me and I flew over on Aeroflot Airlines. Being a Russian airline, we flew from NYC over to Moscow, then, after a plane change, back to Paris. So, now I can say that I visited Moscow, yes?

Once on the plane I settled is comfortably for the 12 hour flight. I have trouble sleeping on planes, so, no sleep over or on the return, as I expected. Sleep is a strange thing; we all require sleep, but what a waste of time. I do better on four or five hours of sleep, rather than the eight we are told we all need.

Before I left I printed out a map and the area of the hotel I was booked at, so off I went to get on the Metro. Just one stop to change trains, then, after arriving at the end metro, it was a short walk to get to the hotel. I think it so rude of me not able to speak the language of the country I am in; many spoke English and I had no problem asking directions.

Something scary that I saw while walking in Paris, I passed by three people in camouflage outfits each carrying a machine gun. This world has gotten scary. And, in the airports, more police with guns (to protect us?)

Held at Cirque Phenix (http://cirquephenix.com/), the Cirque de Demain (http://www.cirquededemain.com/) circus competition was magnificent.

Sharing a room with Craig Quat, we are both going to be doing work for the foundation. Craig has an amazing background and has achieved excellence in many areas. Craig is devising ways to teach people to juggle—even working with the blind— take a look—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8QRPU1EEuY

In fact, Viktor is assembling an amazing group of high level teachers; I am so glad to be a part of what they do to help people. Another amazing teacher I met in Paris was Marco Paoletti, who helped me toward getting back toward juggling 5 balls. Marco was a student of Sergei Ignatov, the great Russian juggler. I’ve known Sergei for many years (even having him over for dinner at my house) and he is a great teacher. Now Marco is teaching young people in Argentina who are disadvantaged to juggle and live a better life. Here is Marco — http://www.maggler.com/  and, here is about Marco and Viktor’s Foundation — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtJU8ifXxmU

 The Cirque de Demain Circus Competition—In the circus competition, all of those competing were very high level at whatever skill they showed. This is as special competition for performers under the age of 25; only human talent; no animals anywhere. I saw many techniques toward circus arts that were quite unique and top level. Of course, jugglers stood out for me. And, these two jugglers were so unique and special—excellence is what I witnessed.

Elegant and classy—Aleksandra Savina of Ukraine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLkU1kZrsWU

After graduating from Kiev Academy of Circus, Aleksandra went on to perform many places. Along with having an excellent skill level with the hoops, her showmanship was outstanding. Another hoop roller, I first met Bob Bramson in 1978, who is an excellent juggler and a master of hoops; I thought it would be hard for someone to surpass his skill, yet I saw someone who could match him in Aleksandra.

 Jimmy Gonzalez, a true artist.

http://jimmy-gonzalez.com/

The creativeness behind this man’s technique is extraordinary. Coming on stage with a ball of clay, this clay was broken into chunks and juggled in astounding ways. More than just juggling, Jimmy told a story with the clay and his show went over superb. In fact, Jimmy was awarded four special acknowledgments.

What a wonderful time I had at Cirque de Demain. I sadly checked out of the hotel and off I went back to the airport. On the flight back from Paris to Moscow I was sitting near a Russian girl who spoke good English. Olesya was returning from a fashion design event in Paris. There was an empty seat between us (so there was room) and I happened to have 3 scarves for juggling with me. In a short time Olesya was juggling! a wonderful thing to see.

After landing in JFK airport and taking a bus from the airport to New York City, I met up with my daughter, Jasmine, who is studying fashion design and living in NYC. I was staying the night at Cindy Marvel’s apartment (she lives in Boulder, Colorado) and she was not there. Here is Cindy juggling at the 2003 European Juggling Convention:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NCMD-UNOYc

Currently staying at Cindy’s is Kyle Driggs, another excellent juggler. Find out more of Kyle:  kyledriggs.com.  Before I learned of Kyle from Cindy I knew of his name, yet did not know his style or juggling ability. After watching Kyle’s video I am so impressed with his performance. Take a watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgwbLEAWEPk

After the bus ride down to Allentown, PA, Tina picked me up and I went back home (so good to see Tina again.) Now to get back to what I am working on in my life—to help other’s to have a better future.

In writing this article it brought back memories of recent trip to Paris, and what a wonderful time I had.

Written by Kit Summers, Kitsummers.com, kitsummers@gmail.com, 610-400-3233

10 Ways To Fight Depression
Written by Kit Summers
First off, what you tell yourself, then how it really is.

​1. In your mind your main thoughts are that life is hard.

Most Joyful people know that life can be difficult, yet they tend to get through hard times with an attitude of curiosity and interest versus feeling like a victim. Joyful people take responsibility for how they got “themselves” into the mess, and they focus on getting themselves out of it as soon as they can.

Determination towards results instead of complaining over what happens is in the mind of a joyful person. Sad people see themselves as victims of this life and they stay stuck in the old, “look what happened to me (again)” attitude, versus finding a way through and back to a good life.

Find and bring on joy in your life, we have that choice.

2. You believe most other people can’t be trusted.
A healthy insight is important, and most joyful people are trusting of others. They believe in the good in most people, versus assuming many others are out to get them. Generally open and friendly towards people, untroubled people have a sense of joy in life and are excited to meet new people with an open mind and heart.

Sad people are skeptical of new people they meet and assume that others can’t be trusted. Sorry to say, this attitude starts to close the door on any possible connections outside of an inner-web and impedes chances of meeting new possible friends.

Keep a certain trust in most people, try and make them a friend.

3. You focus on what’s wrong in the world as opposed to what’s right.
We have a choice, to see what is good in the world, or mainly see the bad. There are many problems that can come up, sad people look away from what works and just see what’s wrong. These people are the ones who constantly say, in their mind, “yeah but”.

Contented people know of worldwide issues, but they balance their concern, using an open mind, with seeing what works. Sad people tend to close their mind towards anything positive in fear they might not see what’s wrong; they look for the bad. Joyful people see both the good, and the bad. They know that the world has problems and they also keep an eye on what works.

Hold on to the bright future that you will be living.

4. You compare yourself to others, hold jealousy, and often put them above you.
Sad people believe someone else’s good fortune steals from their own. They believe there’s not enough goodness to go around and selfishly compare yours against theirs. This leads to jealousy, pain and resentment.

Joyful people know that we are in charge and good luck and circumstance are just signs of what they, too, can aspire to achieve. Untroubled people believe they carry a unique way that can’t be copied or stolen from. They believe in the unlimited possibilities and don’t get slowed down by thinking someone else’s good fortune limits their possible future in life.

A positive mindset will bring you far; you are the best.

5. You Live for Yourself Rather than Help others
The gloomy person thinks things should be done for them and toward them. As you know, this can’t be part of a happy life. Each of us mainly is out for ourselves, but, you see, the more you help others the better your life will become.

Sad people believe that, when things go wrong or bad, it is someone else’s fault and they get down and think it was “done to them”. Joyful people see the changes, work toward using the change to their advantage, and know that the more they get out and help others the better their life will become.

The more you help other people, the better your life will be.

6. Exercise is the Last Thing You Want to Do.
Sad people tend to sit around and mope. Happy people are out doing things, often exercising. I’m sure you’ve felt it, the clearing of mind that exercise brings on. Depressed? Workout and you will fix you. The relief may not come right away, but give it time, and you will find your depression fading away. Push yourself to exercise more and to stay on track in your mind AND your body.

Many studies have shown that exercise promotes mental health and reduces the symptoms of depression. Thirty minutes of intense exercise each day and you will see amazing results. The antidepressant result of regular exercise is comparable to potent antidepressant drugs like Prozac.

Start today and you will see changes happen in your mind and body in a short time.

7. You aim to “manage” your life.
There’s a big difference between being in control and striving to work toward goals. Joyful people take steps often to get results, even through difficult times. Eventually they see that they have very little control over what life throws at them.

Sad people make an effort to control all aspects of things and fall apart when life throws a wrench in their procedure. Happy people can be just as directed, yet, still have the ability to go with the flow and not fall apart when life brings on change. The key is to stay focused, but still allow room for letting change happen (without you falling apart.) Going with the flow is what happy people have as a way out and around things that come up.

Be ready for change and your life will run smoother.

8. You look to your future with worry and fear.
Your mind can only take so much. Unhappy people fill their thoughts with what “could” go wrong versus what “might” go right. It’s a choice each of us has, to hold good thoughts in our mind or the negative or positive. Happy people take on a healthy dose of fantasy and allow themselves to daydream about what their future “could” be and become. Sad people fill that same space in their mind with constant frustration, worry and fear.

Happy people experience fear and worry, of course, but see the difference between feeling things that occur and dealing with them. When fear or worry cross a happy person’s mind, they will ask themselves if there’s anything “they” can do to prevent their fear or worry from happening. Then, they settle in with this change.

Take control of your mind, think the right thoughts, live the life that you have dreamed of.

9. You fill your conversations with gossip and complaints.
Sad people often live in the past and bring these thoughts into conversations. They think about what has happened to them and the hardships they have or are going through as their conversation of choice. When they run out of things to say, they turn to other people’s hardships. Happy people live in the now and dream about the future. These positive people are excited about their future and can’t wait to tell others. They say of something they’re working on, grateful for what they have and dreaming about the possibilities of life.

Obviously none of us are perfect. We’re all going to swim in negative waters at times, but what matters is how long we stay there and how quickly we work to get ourselves out. Positive conversations is what sets happy people apart from unhappy people.

See the good in life, talk mainly of good, your life will be good.

10. When You are Down You Stay Down.
We all get down at times, and, of course, we have been very happy and up. The problem is that sad people tend to get down, see no way out, and stay there. Happy people see that in the future things can change, they will find a way through and come back to better times. Depression feeds itself and some people see no way out. We have to always keep in mind that we can live a better life if we can envision such in our mind.

Balance is the key. When you are down, know that you will find a way back up and this down won’t last forever. When you are up know that you “might” be back down. If you can get a firm grip on this in your mind, you will never suffer from depression again.

Use your mind right, stay up, and live a better life.

Yesterday I was in my home-office working on the computer. A street sweeper came by, although the street was already clean. Then–he came by six more times cleaning the clean street. On the last pass I had to go out and say to him, “Why are wasting gas and money when the street is clean?” He said, “I’m just doing my job.”

Then later, I had to drive somewhere, I passed an area where they were doing some work on the street. I saw six guys just standing and talking. When I returned passing the same place, I saw more just standing and talking.

It bothers me so much when people just waste time and money for nothing. I am always trying to further myself as I try and add to the world.

I hope you are one to be on the same path as me.

Bye for now>>>>>>>>>>>Kit

Change – we can’t avoid it.

• We resist change – and yet it is the resistance itself that brings on our suffering.
• We fear change – but it is the only way beautiful new creations emerge.
• We deal with change – we cannot keep away from it.
• We welcome change – it is a driving force toward our achievements.

We try to protect ourselves from change by clinging on to what we cannot make unchangeable, and then we mourn losing what we never owned to begin with, even when what we’ve lost really didn’t make us content in the first place. We have a choice, you know.

What if, instead, we embrace change – you and me mutually – holding onto each other like best friends on a rollercoaster laughing and smiling? What if we work with change to make it work in our favor? No matter what “might” happen, we can find a way to flow with the changes and make them better. So, jump on board.

​Let’s go for the ride . . .

We all go through many changes. For myself—from getting hit by a truck and living through a 37-day coma to going through a divorce after 23 years of marriage to getting hit by second truck 18 years after the first to spending a month in jail on a false charge—I have had my share of change.​

From my book series: Beyond Your Potential Enjoy the read www.kitsummers.com You have the ability and potential to attract success and happiness. Happiness is always there and waiting for you, you just have to build the right road to your success. More than just helping you through difficulties in your life, this series of books is packed full of ideas to help you achieve and attract a better future. Your future is up to you. Are you content with continuing in a pleasant but mundane life, or will you upgrade to a better life for you and for others around you? Continuing to better our lives is a choice we make. The attitude you hold toward your future will determine your life. Your income is directly related to your attitude and the approach you take toward your future. A positive attitude will take you far. A pessimistic approach to life will hinder you.