This is a Test

This is a test. This is only a test. This is a test of the emergency blogging application known as Blogsy. Had this been a real blog, you would be reading something more profound and witty than this. Okay maybe not something more profound but definitely something more witty.

"A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure." - Lee Segall

Meditation

An unanticipated consequence of changing motorcycles has been a shift in my meditative state while riding the bike. My Daytona was a performance machine that promoted empty mind meditation and always saw me arrive at my location relaxed and refreshed no matter the level of chaos on the road. Things happen quite a bit slower on the road in front of me with my new Bonneville and I am having difficulty achieving an empty mind state on this bike. Empty mind meditation has never come easy for me except on the motorcycle so I am going to miss that benefit of a sport bike.

Mindfulness meditation comes fairly easy for me but making time for my practice has always been a challenge. The new motorcycle enhances this form of meditation and every time I get on the bike, it gives me an opportunity to further develop my practice.

“How fast? You’re an idiot!” - Dad (b. 1931)

What is a Black Belt?

Black belt is a term that instantly creates certain connotations within a person’s mind. Our own personal definition of a black belt is the biggest influence upon what type of black belt we are or will become. By the same token, the example of current and future black belts will have a massive influence on the popular definition of the term. Looking at it that way, as a black belt my responsibility to the future of kung fu is massive. Two thousand years of tradition is being redefined by today’s black belts. I definitely lose a lot of sleep when I consider the current state of today’s black belt standard.

I have spent the past day thinking about what qualities I value in a black belt. For me they all can be characterized by the quality of leadership. A black belt is someone who:

• thinks of the term “black belt” as an adjective, not a noun
• values innovation over imitation
• shuts up until he/she has put up
• lives simply and mindfully
• has passion in his/her craft
• earns respect, not demands it
• values reconciliation over retaliation and reflection over reaction
• skilled enough to be confident in his/her craft and humble enough to be aware of how much more there is to learn
• is a perpetual student who never stops learning
• is a control freak who takes responsibility for what they put into their body, who they allow to influence them, and how they choose to interpret things
• disdains mediocrity
• holds himself/herself 100% accountable for success or failure
• understands the quality of his/her words and actions have an impact upon the quality of the world
• believes in the power of example

For me the term black belt refers to a way of life that embraces mastery. It is not a tangible destination but rather a constant never ending journey.

“He that gives good advice, builds with one hand; he that gives good counsel and example, builds with both; but he that gives good admonition and bad example, builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.” - Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)

Goodbye My Friend

I have discovered that the repetitive strain injury to the tendons in my arms was not all due to the couple hundred thousand pushups I have done over the past few years. After a relatively good couple of months I found the pain returned within hours of my first motorcycle ride of the season. Apparently my arms cannot handle all the repetitive pushups and the constant weight I place on them due to the riding position of my crotch rocket.

So I find myself faced with a decision. Get rid of my beloved Daytona or stop doing all the ^%$# pushups. Sold the Daytona yesterday. I hate you Tom Callos.

“Action expresses priorities.” - Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948)

Happy Mother's Day Mom

My mom has not always agreed with my approach to life. I know she sees me as being a bit reckless. The violence of the sport kept my mom from attending my hockey games but she never once discouraged me from participating. She had some real concerns with me getting involved in the martial arts but through her and my dad’s support, I now own my own school and am living a life of consequence. My mom continues to be a voice of reason in my life and she always offers her support no matter what decisions, reckless or not, that I continue to make. It is amazing what one can accomplish with that level of support.

I do not always have what I want, but I have always had everything I have ever needed. I owe my parents everything.

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” - Washington Irving (1783 - 1859)

Ignorance is Bliss

• Canada’s debt stands at $560 billion. After over a decade of budget surpluses, our latest deficit is $55.6 billion, the highest in Canadian History, despite having a government that continues to run on a platform of fiscal restraint.

• Our government has shut itself down twice in the past couple of years. Once to avoid a non confidence vote and the second time to avoid having to answer to the Afghan detainee controversy. Both times left us without representation for months.

• Despite the fact that the majority of Canadians voted for a party other than the current governing party, our current government manipulated people to believe that a coalition government would not represent the will of the people.

• Our current government is the first in Commonwealth history to be brought down with a non confidence vote because of being found in contempt of parliament.

Our federal election goes down in 24 hours. Our current scandal filled government is hoping to win its first majority through a campaign of fear. Fear of what will happen if another party gets elected but seemingly oblivious to what has already happened under their administration.

Our democratic process has been slowly dismantled over the past five years in the name of economic growth and security. We need to remind ourselves of the danger of letting something like that pass without protest. Even if you trust the guy in charge while this is happening, you need to consider the precedent he is setting and the fact that he won’t always be the guy in charge. A democratic system must be adhered to by every elected official, not bent to serve any agenda, whether it is good or bad. Personal rights and freedoms are easy to give up but next to impossible to earn back.

I have never been politically active and I would never belong to a political party. I do feel culpable though when it comes to the current state of the world. Activism is the key to social change and political activism is imperative for any type of lasting social progress.

“When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent is frankly when it’s rapidly losing its moral authority to govern.” - Stephen Harper (b.1959)