Self-Awareness

Tattoos, arrogance, and intimidation - oh have expectations changed. There used to be a time when the martial arts was primarily associated with mental discipline and emotional intelligence. Two thousand years in, society’s expectations of the arts have devolved so far that discipline has been replaced with aggression, and if you mention emotional intelligence in the same sentence as the martial arts, people look at you as if you are suffering from a stroke.

Politician, teacher, martial artist - no matter who you are or what you do, if you are too narcissistic to employ self-awareness, you are problem never a solution.

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” ― C.G. Jung (1875 - 1961)

Deeper

I spent the weekend removing dead trees from my yard. As the years get hotter and dryer, more pests and disease are the norm. I can’t remember when I last had a tree die but I suspect it is going to be the norm from this point on. Last summer was spent in a constant smoke haze from all the forest fires and the wildfire running rampant west of me this weekend is a harbinger of what we should expect this year as well.

My generation has definitely failed as leaders and protectors of our children. We’re busy lining our pockets while staying hell-bent on maintaining an unsustainable orgy of consumption and waste. Someone is going to have accept less. Why or how a parent can ignore the price that is going to be paid by our children boggles my mind.

 “It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.” - Ansel Adams (1902 - 1984)

Open Eyes

I spent the last two weeks doing a lot of travelling. Nothing significant as I spent double the days travelling than I spent at my destinations. That type of schedule leaves one a little flustered at the end of the ordeal.

I haven’t been through Jasper for a few years but this weekend’s travel-through completely shocked me at the state of things. Where there was once crystal clean mountain water is now sandbars and mud. This being right after the winter melt where the water reserves are at their seasonal high. Vast groves of green pine are now turned brown from the pine beetle infestation. This past warm winter promises no relief on that front.

Climate change is happening, that is no longer debatable. Whether it is being brought about by human activity or not is totally irrelevant. We should be doing everything in our power to reduce our impact. You may not agree with that strategy now but you definitely will come around when you realize you cannot eat your money.

“By the time we see that climate change is really bad, your ability to fix it is extremely limited . . . The carbon gets top there, but the heating effect is delayed. And then the effect of that heat on the species and ecosystem is delayed. That means that even when you turn virtuous, things are actually going to get worse for quite a while.” - Bill Gates (b. 1955)

Friends

I am sitting in the Denver airport writing this after a whirlwind weekend spent with friends. Yesterday Tom Callos, my friend and mentor, was recognized by the martial arts industry for his legendary contributions over the past few decades. I attended as one of the surprise guests who flew down for this special event. To cap it all off, Tom was also awarded his BJJ Black Belt and he surprised his girlfriend with a marriage proposal. Like I said, a whirlwind.

I owe a lot to kung fu for the incredible friendships I have made over the years. My life would be so different and less vibrant if I had taken another path. I am where I need to be.

“I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. “ - Robert Frost (1874 - 1963)