This is a test.

I am testing a new blogging tool that may allow me to update multiple blogs with a single entry. This is my first test, wish me luck.




"The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson.” - Tom Bodett (b. 1955)

Activists Wanted

Once again I am frustrated at the level of apathy displayed by so many people when it comes to holding their public representatives accountable. The past few months have been rife with fraud and scandal perpetuated by our Federal Government, yet that very Government seems so confident that they will be reelected regardless of what is going on that they are poised to call an election. That is how much they are counting on our collective indifference.

I often wonder how much the face of politics would change if people voted for what is morally right, as opposed to what will put the most money in their pockets. I’m not sure how political parties would cope with that type of paradigm shift. They would definitely have to come up with new reelection strategies.

If the masses could be inspired to become active in their community by speaking up and letting their voices be heard, change for the better would be initiated. Thousands are dying in the middle east where freedom of speech is not a right yet they are speaking up and rallying to have their voices heard. Here in the west where freedom of speech is taken for granted, we tend to be silent and let things happen.

Activism may be alive but in my opinion, it is not well.

“There is something in every one of you that waits and listens for the sound of the genuine in yourself. It is the only true guide you will ever have. And if you cannot hear it, you will all of your life spend your days on the ends of strings that somebody else pulls.” - Howard Thurman (1900 -1981)

Cha Cha Cha

I accomplished one of my major goals this week by launching my new website. It will take a while to iron out all the bugs but the lion’s share of the work has been completed. Next project on the horizon is the refinement of my school’s curriculum. I have been working on that project for almost two years now but I just can’t seem to get it to a finished state before I find myself taking the entire project into a new direction. Hopefully with the website off my plate I can make some progress on the final push with my curriculum.

My difficulty with most projects is my tendency to think in abstract terms. I always have a general outline in my head of what I want the project to accomplish but by the time I finish, it is in a completely different state than I had envisioned. I think this abstract approach maximizes creativity but it definitely hampers output. Since I am constantly evolving, so are my ideas - so much so that every project becomes a moving target. My goal over the coming months will be to get my curriculum into a beta test state and begin adopting it into my classes while continuing to refine it on an ongoing basis.

I had a good week, especially with my meditation. As always, I was reminded of all the positive people I am lucky to have in my life and the sheer miracle that I ever connected with them in the first place. I am blessed.

“You don't have to be a "person of influence" to be influential. In fact, the most influential people in my life are probably not even aware of the things they've taught me.” - Scott Adams (b. 1957)

Grounding

I’ve had a pretty good week. I had the opportunity to connect with Coach Callos and a couple of my teammates over the past couple of days and its impossible not to feel great when surrounded with all that positive energy.

I met with my student team yesterday for our monthly meeting and came out feeling very pleased with the efforts of my team and how engaged they are at this point. We’re setting up some team projects for the next few months and we had a couple of great discussions.

Something that we touched on was the value of a vegetarian diet. We live in a province where beef is king so eliminating meat from our diet can be a challenge. Mindful eating goes a long way in motivating a person to stay the course. When you approach your diet in a mindful way, it is impossible not be completely cognizant of the environmental, health, and moral consequences of consuming meat and supporting that industry.

“One farmer says to me, "You cannot live on vegetable food solely, for it furnishes nothing to make the bones with;" and so he religiously devotes a part of his day to supplying himself with the raw material of bones; walking all the while he talks behind his oxen, which, with vegetable-made bones, jerk him and his lumbering plow along in spite of every obstacle.” - Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

Protocol

“I’m new here, and so I just didn’t understand the proper protocol.” Protocol. I have come to detest that word. I am finding that a lot of people use that word to explain their poor conduct and their failure to utilize their empathy skills. Something I have learned through tracking and logging acts of kindness is that proper protocol is about common sense, respect, and above all - empathy. Effective communication is not just about the words being said, but also the context in which they were meant. Context is always a matter of perspective and if you are not looking from the perspective of another, you are not effectively communicating.

Motives and consequences. Basic anger management training helps a person realize that they may not have control over what other people say or do, but they do have control over how they interpret what other people say or do. Considering the motives behind what is being said will immediately apply a context to the words and help in the proper interpretation and ultimate communication. Considering the consequences of how you choose to reply will also impact on proper communication by influencing how receptive others are to your words. Words should be chosen carefully.

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” - Anthony Robbins (b. 1960)

Opportunity

Change has come to Egypt. What this change ultimately manifests into is going to depend on the values of those supporting it. Where will the west place its priorities for the outside aid it will provide? Will the priority be democracy or will it be capitalism? While the two are compatible, they don’t always go hand in hand.

It is hard not to be inspired by the change being generated through peaceful activism. Each of us has the power to initiate change but very few of us accept that responsibility. Those of us who enjoy the power of influence must mindfully ensure that our values are reflected in our leadership and that these values not only address our current situation, but cater to the legacy we wish to leave behind. In this light, as a martial artist, there is no doubt that peace is more important than punches.

Everyday presents new opportunities. Through our actions and words, our indifference and apathy, our commitment to mastery, or our acceptance of mediocrity - we either seize opportunities and accept responsibility for creating the world in which we wish to live, or we shuffle on, oblivious to wasted and eventually lost potential. Our choices, no matter how seemingly insignificant, are ripples that are creating waves.

“The function of leadership is to provide more leaders, not more followers.” - Ralph Nader (b. 1934)

Whew!

While I have been keeping up with my UBBT requirements, I have definitely been absent from actively engaging with my team. Just too much on my plate these past few months has forced me to narrow my priorities and focus on the basics. Now that Chinese New Year has passed, I have my life back. Sure there’s still some projects to complete but now that our school’s annual banquet is finished, the pressure is off.

My first order of business is to catch up on my sleep. That in turn should help me achieve my second goal - heal a couple of aggravating injuries. Training full time pretty much guarantees never being at 100% but these past couple of years have been ridiculous when it comes to chronic issues. I can tell I’ve turned a corner so I am really looking forward to the coming year.

“A project is complete when it starts working for you, rather than you working for it.” - Scott Allen