Serendipity

Things do not always go as planned but sometimes that can be a good, no, great thing. This week was a gathering of my teammates in the last ever Ultimate Black Belt Test. I was ecstatic that I was able to arrange things to give myself this opportunity to personally connect with an amazing bunch of martial artists from across the continent. I teach my students that a big part of success is being in the right place at the right time. We can’t always control the right time but we have a lot of control over the right place. For me, the right place this past week was Portland, Oregon.

Our first morning together opened with Suicide Prevention training. I’m a huge advocate for mental health awareness and have been trying to make it a bigger part of Silent River Kung Fu’s curriculum. Statistically 60% of Canadians are touched by mental health issues, either directly or indirectly, in their lifetime. This type of training could not be more relevant to self defence.

It was at this point that things began to veer off plan. My hotel breakfast did not settle well and the start of my two day love affair with all the restrooms at Aim High Martial Arts kicked off. I was sidelined from the mats for the next day’s training of Aim High’s black belt candidates and relegated to a spectator for all the team meals, including the Hawaiian food. Now comes the serendipitous part.

During the black belt candidates’ class, I met someone who I would not have met if I had been busy teaching on the mats. Jennifer St. John is a high level TaiJi practitioner from Florida who just happened to be in Portland to watch her nephew’s karate class - the same one I just happen to also be at. I often talk about life being defined by specific moments. My meeting Jennifer was one such defining moment. Her calm wisdom and insights resonated with me and her passion inspired me. We have exchanged contact information and I am hoping to maximize the opportunity that has been offered to me by fostering a closer friendship with her.

The week ended too quickly for my liking but despite my stomach issues, I came away inspired and motivated. However, saying goodbye to my teammates and getting on the plane in Portland was not the end of it. Our plane was delayed at our arrival gate in Seattle so we ended up missing our connecting flight. We spent the next hour getting another flight sorted out and ended up with a free lunch on the airline and a new flight home in first class.

You would think that was the best part but it wasn’t. Getting ready to board our flight home, I notice one of my longtime heroes standing ten feet away from me - Grant Fuhr!! He is also on his way home to Edmonton and is sitting within arms reach of me right now as I type this from my first class seat. I watched him play for his entire career but I have never had the opportunity to meet him - until now. Cross that off my bucket list.

serendipity | noun:  The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.