Abstraction

I thought I understood poverty but it wasn’t until my first trip to Greensboro, Alabama that I really got a feel for what true poverty really is. Ironically I had to travel to what many consider to be the richest country on the planet to experience it. I have never seen poverty of that intensity in Canada.

It was also in Greensboro where the abstraction of racism was removed for me. There most definitely is racism in Canada but I had never seen the in your face segregating, “your kind can’t be here”, that is found in Alabama.

First hand experience removes the veil of abstraction that keeps many of us from serious active engagement. Do you think we would continue to allow the economy to take precedence over the environment if the entire planet was shrouded in the the same toxic smog that envelops China? Would as many of us be as quick to support military action, an eye for an eye, over dialogue if we were experiencing the horrors of war first hand?

I am very proud that four of my students will be taking part in the Ultimate Black Belt Test’s Alabama Project in a couple of weeks. They will be spending four days with some amazing people, experientially learning about poverty, racism, and the value of community activism. The power to change the world resides within each of us. We just need to be willing to exercise it.

“What is important is using one’s talent, intellect, and energy in order to gain an appreciation and affection for people and place.” - Samuel Mockbee (1944 - 2001)

Wu Wei

Earning a black belt is not complicated, but just because it is not complicated does not mean it is easy. The curricular requirements are all tools to support the structure that is required to acquire the skill, experience, knowledge, and understanding that are the foundation of a legitimate black belt. This structure takes time to develop and consistent application before it begins to produce results. Developing the structure is the easy part, consistently applying the structure is where most people fail.

Life is complicated and chaotic. It will always interfere with the best laid plans. Consistent application of structured training is more about getting back on track than it is about staying on track. It is not the bad things that happen to us that determine success or failure but rather the way we respond to the bad things that happen.

As always it is the journey, not the destination that holds value.

“In baseball, my theory is to strive for consistency, not to worry about the numbers. If you dwell on statistics you get shortsighted, if you aim for consistency, the numbers will be there at the end.” - Tom Seaver (b. 1944)

The Power of Engagement

Engagement is the one precept of mastery whose importance is most overlooked. This is so often the case, the most simple and obvious become the neglected. We usually take the basics for granted and it is that tendency that makes mastery so elusive.

My success has always been tied to my level of engagement. Staying engaged is a conscientious effort. Through consistent engagement I have learned many things and have realized many opportunities.

My constant commitment to mastery reminds me that everyone is a teacher. My first UBBT mentors were not even black belts. Chris Thorp and Debby Young were the first non black belt participants in the Ultimate Black Belt Test, and it was their inspiration that motivated me to take the test myself. It was not their accomplishments or results that inspired me, it was their engaged journey.

UBBT 6 was a huge success for me. Massive knee issues threatened to sabotage my best intentions but my consistent engagement and commitment to the process made it one of my most successful years ever. A big part of my success was because of fellow UBBT alumni Chris Feldt. Chris and I kept each other engaged throughout our UBBT 6 tenure by staying in constant contact. Despite the large team, there were times when it felt like it was just Chris and I because it was the two of us who consistently journalled and publicly supported each other throughout the year. The two of us live in different countries on opposite ends of the continent but Chris became like a brother to me. Such was our level of engagement.

Without a strong engagement I would have missed out on the opportunities that the UBBT opened up for me. Without the UBBT I would not have the relationship I enjoy with Tom Callos. He has been a massive influence in my life and I consider him a dear, valued friend. Because of the UBBT I have met some amazing martial artists and human beings, none more important to me than Master Dave McNeil. His example of engaged compassion continues to be an inspiring example that guides me everyday. I want to be just like him when I grow up.

There are many outside factors that affect my motivation that I have little control over. However no matter what is going on in my life, I always have complete control over my choice to stay engaged.

“Eighty percent of success is showing up.” - Woody Allen (b. 1935)

Looking in the Mirror

This past week social media has been abuzz over Jim Prentice’s comment that Albertans should look into the mirror if they want to understand the current fiscal mess the province finds itself in. I understand the rage people are feeling that someone leading the political party that has governed the province for the past forty years could suggest the problem does not rest solely with the government. Yet Prentice’s words have the ring of truth.

I don’t know if our society has always been this way but it certainly has been the way it is for my entire adult life. We are not accustomed to accepting responsibility, blame is always to be found elsewhere. We’re much more comfortable in the role of victims than being accountable for our situation. Jim Prentice did not seize power, he and his predecessors have been in power for forty years because we have chosen to give them that power. Stephen Harper, Jim Prentice, all our political leaders have influence only because of us. If we’re going to allow fear to rule our decisions, we need to accept the responsibility for those decisions. We need to look into the mirror.

Ownership is empowering. My black belts are taught to be control freaks, to take ownership for every aspect of their lives. Influence is a conscientious choice. Keeping that fact front and centre ensures the decisions I make reflect my values, not my fears.

“I call on people to be 'obsessed citizens,' forever questioning and asking for accountability. That's the only chance we have today of a healthy and happy life.” - Ai Weiwei (b. 1957)

Pink Shirt Day

It was great seeing a bunch of my students and instructors wearing a pink shirt on Wednesday to take a stand against bullying. As martial artists, we like to think we make a big difference in the fight to eradicate bullying. There is no doubt that we are in a unique position to have a big impact but more often than not, we’re all about the talk, not the walk.

Bullying is an obvious problem and despite all the attention it gets, the problem is only getting worse. Back in the day if you were getting bullied at school, home and vacation were welcome havens of respite. Now with social media, bullying can literally be a 24/7 proposition for the victim.

Children’s behaviour is a mirror of their experience. If we want to break the cycle of bullying, it has to stop with us, the adults. With skewed, agenda-driven newscasts and politicians using fear and negativity to undermine their opponents, is there any doubt as to where children are learning to be so selfish and ruthless?

We can’t control how a newscast is delivered or how politicians choose to campaign, but we can set an example of compassion and kindness to serve as positive role models for our children. Bullying is a problem and promises to always be a problem until each of us begins to recognize when and where we are part of the problem.

“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” - Theodore Roosevelt (1958 - 1919)