Random Thoughts

I'm thinking about a few things right now (while basking in the good feeling of Spain winning the World Cup), and thought 'I should blog about this!'

That doesn't mean that I've thought of anything earth shattering, I'm just trying to get in the habit of writing down what I think are interesting things, when I think of them. Case in Point:

Some people say, everything happens for a reason (my sister believes this). I do not think so.

Instead I think that everything that happens to us, on a day to day, moment to moment basis, are learning opportunities. If we pay attention to what we are doing, and what others are thinking and feeling, we have a chance to learn, to change and to grow. And when that moment of attention happens, we often feel that what just happened, must have happened for a reason -- it is our rational thinking mind trying to make sense of a flash of insight.

'Shi Kin Hara Mitsu Dai Ko Myo' is a ... pledge/creed/statement that is recited at the beginning of Bujinkan Ninpo practice. I don't speak Japanese, and so have depended on a few sources for a translation, but the one I liked the best is this: Pay Attention! This might be the Moment of Enlightenment!

What I've come to appreciate about reciting it, is that it asks me to cultivate a mind that actively participates in the world around me, by paying attention to the actions and feelings of both myself and the people around me. I have not had my moment of enlightenment yet, but I am making myself open to it.

Father's Day

Father's Day this year was kind of special. I earned my second degree black belt at the end of May, and had the distinct pleasure of having my son be the first to tie my belt, just as I had done for him two years ago.

The martial arts have become the way our family has connected on a very fundamental level. I have seen my son (and then my wife) go through an experience that is fairly unique, and one that I got to share with them. Somehow, no matter what else happens in our lives, I know we will always share that experience. My youngest is eagerly awaiting his chance at this experience in a few years...

That kind of shared experience is something that I never had with my father. We have grown closer as adults, but I am glad that I have the relationship with my kids that I always hoped to have with my dad.

After I got my black belt in May, my dad came up and gave me the biggest hug. He has finally found a way to connect to me, and this is one more thing that makes me grateful for all that I have, and all that I continue to experience.

This year's Father's Day gave me a moment to pause and reflect on all of my good fortune. I have been extremely lucky to have had a dad throughout my life, even though at times we didn't really understand each other, or even like each other. One of my teammates in this past cycle lost her dad to cancer last year. My wife lost her dad to a heart attack when she was ten. I may have grown up in a house where I didn't really know my dad, but he was always there, and you could always depend on him. It took me a long time to realize it, but his family was the most important thing in the world for him.

I am very grateful for him, and for all that he has given me -- even though I didn't realize it at the time.

It took me a long time to figure out what I was good at. But I know this: I'm a good dad, and being a good dad is all that I really need.



Oh, and go Spain!

I'll be posting soon, I promise

Life's been pretty hectic for the past 6 weeks, but I am going to post this week with ideas and pics that have been rolling around: being presented with my 2nd degree black belt, setting some new goals, reading a fun book, watching some great soccer and seeing a new baby. Details to come.

So what's this 'Power Weekend' thing?

It's a good name, but it does lead to some funny questions. "Power Weekend? is that some kind of self-help guru type thing?", etc... As one of my now favorite blogs pointed out, the people who have been through it, don't really talk about it. It is for the initiated, in part to keep it special. That said, you could say that Power Weekend is this:

It's a whirlwind of activity that confuses the hell out of you, and which becomes hard to describe to anyone who hasn't been through it.

I could give you a laundry list of the activities we go through, the training we put ourselves through or the madness that some instructors inflict on us, but that wouldn't really do it justice.

It's hard. The two I have been through have been the hardest things I've ever done. Most people of my vintage who have been through it rank it just behind getting married and having kids as life experiences go.

It is a very emotional experience. I get choked up at several moments during the weekend, especially when I see someone find the strength to do something that they didn't think was possible, and come out triumphant afterwards.

It changes you. I am not the same person after this experience then I was going in. The changes are often more visible in the younger people who go through this, but I don't think that anyone who puts themselves out there on Power Weekend can come through it unchanged. You learn a lot about each other on Power Weekend.

It teaches the value of teamwork, and the devotion to something greater than yourself. I don't know how anyone could watch a group of exhausted children push themselves to run their best 5k race, finish and then turn around and run back for the ones who weren't done yet, and not go "Wow!"

It is a triumph of the spirit. On the surface this would seem to be a physical test (and it is to a certain extent), but in reality it is about teaching people what harnessing spirit can mean. I believe that most limits we experience in our lives are self-imposed. This weekend teaches you to be aware of your limits, and gives you the tools to surpass them -- often by giving you the necessary people to help you.


I leave you with this - it has helped me through two Power Weekends, and as I get ready for my third in a few years, I'm sure it will be with me again:

Spirit

Man gets tired
Spirit don't
Man surrenders
Spirit won't
Man crawls
Spirit flies
Spirit lives when man dies

Man seems
Spirit is
Man dreams
The spirit lives
Man is tethered
Spirit is free

What spirit is man can be

Done, but ow.

Another milestone past...

So today I finished the biggest part of my test for second degree black belt. I tested with an amazing group of people, with some really inspiring results. 23 of us went through our school's Power Weekend, and came out stronger for it -- although I am feeling a lot of pain right now.

We are a pretty diverse bunch, and I was glad to see how everyone responded to the rigour and stress of the weekend. This morning I did my 6k run with Ian and Toni, two of the senior belts who were testing with me, and Ian's son William. William was the only one with two good legs and we started really slow, barely above a quick walk. But Ian, Toni and I found strength in each other and in the environment around us and each step saw us getting faster. At the 3k turn we were starting to set a good pace, and finished at a full run. It was an awesome experience and I am so grateful and happy to have done with these two people. They are some of the best examples of people who live a life of dignity and grace that I can think of, and I am so proud to call them my friends.

Seeing my sons, my wife and my parents after I finished, waiting to give me a hug and wishing me well really made it so very special. I am a very lucky man.

There's a lot more I can post about the Weekend and this experience, and I'll follow this up shortly (maybe with some photos soon).

My Teachers (from another section of my BB poster)

Robert Gold (taught me Taiji at McGill many years ago)

Robert started his training in the martial arts in 1967, with Judo and Shotokan Karate, and then moved on to Tae Kwan Do, Xing Yi, Bagua and Tai Chi. From 1986 to 1989 he trained in mainland China, Taiwan and Japan studying different styles of Tai Chi and related arts, both with private teachers and at the Beijing Sports Institute.

When he returned from China, Robert taught Tai Chi at McGill for a year, which is where I trained with him. Even today, I return to his lessons when I’m learning a new form.

Michael Gregory (taught me a blend of martial arts styles at McGill)

Michael has trained in several different martial arts disciplines, including Tae Kwan Do, Aikido, Wing Chun, Kali, Jeet Kune Do and Savate. The details of his background were always a bit of a mystery to me, but his skill was never in doubt. His first black belt was in Tae Kwan Do, and his training in Jeet Kune Do and Kali was under Daniel Inosanto, a student of Bruce Lee’s.

His classes at McGill and Concordia are always a diverse blend of techniques and people, with guest instructors educating his students on the finer points of Savate, Pencak Silat, Caporeira and Boxing. His curriculum continues to evolve, and recently he has been the coach of the Canadian National Savate (Boxe Francaise) Team.

Three of his former students, including Scott Redstone, are the founders of Trinity JKD and Savate here in Toronto.


Daniel Laurendeau (my aikido sensei at McGill)

Daniel began his training in aikido under Massimo di Villadorata in 1975. He became involved with the McGill Aikido Club as its Assistant Instructor in 1982, and earned his first degree black belt (shodan) in 1983. He became the McGill Club’s head instructor the following year, and traveled to Japan with Yamada, Kanai and Tamura senseis in 1989. He was awarded his fifth degree black belt (godan) in 1999 from Y.Yamada-shihan.

Daniel was the first martial arts instructor I had who showed a deep commitment to building a community out of his students. His lessons went well beyond the physical aspects of aikido. Here he is in his own words:

"Throughout my years as head instructor at McGill Aikido, awakening young people to the values carried by Aikido has certainly been my most precious accomplishment. Being a never-ending quest for self-improvement, each semester begins with a reminder of Aikido's challenge to clarify our own values and thus behave according to those values, even under stress.

We strive to extend our quest of common goals and cooperation outside the mat to forge bonds and friendships that can provide joy and security, especially to those students from foreign cities and countries. Our Aikido is based on three cherished principles: yield, blend, and flow. Transposed in everyday life and situations, I feel these basic elements can help and guide us in a confident and comfortable manner to achieve our goals. Aikido remains an act of generosity, passing on knowledge as an altruistic gift.

Go, and give some more..." ~ Daniel Laurendeau, Head Instructor, McGill Aikido Club

(next up: my teachers here in Toronto...)

Injury update (again)

BTW...

Thanks to great therapy from Tim Marshall (chiro extraordinaire), my calf was healthy enough to try a ten minute slow paced run this morning. Although it felt a bit weak, and a bit unstable, there was no pain. This is a very good thing, although my conditioning sucks.

My master informed me that I have to join the other two senior belts an hour and half early on Friday for the start of our black belt test. She won't tell us why, but here's some theories I've come up with (none of which are correct apparently...):

We are being initiated to a special 'sake' ceremony before the start of testing...

We are being given an oral exam on the history of the martial arts...

She has determined that the three of us are too dumb and too injured to actually grade, but is going to hand us our belts because we did earn them...

Unfortunately what I do know is that some of the Senior Senior belts are taking a special interest in our grading and want to have some 'fun' with us before grading actually begins. I've been assured that I will enjoy it and appreciate it, but I'm doubtful. Since my wife and oldest son are both black belts at the school, they get to come watch and are eagerly awaiting the opportunity.

Did I mention that I'm actually looking forward to all this? Does anyone believe me?