October 25, 2015

There is no exception to perfection.  The phrase sounds harsh and absolute, but then again, I would argue it should be.  Using myself as an example, I have noticed that generally the areas that really require improvement in my life started from making a very small, very innocent exception.

That exception, through the large intermingled roots that tie everything from diet, exercise, life experiences, relationships, spirituality, and purpose…. affected them all.  I don’t think there is a choice. I don’t think I can compartmentalize any one aspect of my life and say I can make a poor decision here without consequence…to everything.  By that reasoning then, for me it is impossible to expect success if I do not pursue mastery in everything I do.

And we should.  Mediocrity cannot be removed from just one aspect of our life.  If it is in one, then it will be in the others as well.

In Dawson for the last 13 days, my biggest challenge, as normal, is diet.  In a smaller town options are pretty limited.  Most often I feel like a horse that has been sent out to pasture but told he should only eat the four leafed clovers.  Options are scarce making good decisions even more difficult.  But I know that a poor diet choice is twice as easy to duplicate the next time. I think of poor decisions as trail breaking in all the wrong directions.

With the combination of pursuit of perfection in all aspects of our life, an unacceptance of average in anything we do, and following that up with wise decisions that extend beyond the Kwoon; success should be inevitable…..sounds easy right.

October 18, 2015

I love carnies.  You know the Sham Wow, the Ginsu super blade, or the out of this world stain remover made from special salts from caves in Columbia.  I love being bamboozled by quick talking flashy presenters at trade shows. They fascinate me.

After the Sportsman show in Grande Prairie, I sat and thought long and hard on how one saleswoman was able to demonstrate better balance and strength by wearing a special magnetic bracelet.  Now this might be as simple as taking advantage of your center and how the force is applied to your arm, or maybe the crystal, magnet, ion combination truly does work.  Who is to say.

Fact of the matter is people are convinced on the product because the brain has said it can have a positive effect.  By typing in “the power of positive thinking and health” into a search engine reveals all sorts of studies that have proven positivity affects our health, learning capacity, adaptability, and therefore success.  And it isn’t just a little bit.  Results of studies are for the lack of a better pun….mind blowing.

Currently I am away from the Kwoon in Dawson city for work and during this time, I am working very hard at maintaining a positive outlook every single morning.  I can tell you I absolutely am seeing the difference in each day because of the attitude I have chosen to take.  I feel I have been more open to ideas, more patient, which has led to more success while at my job or training.  If you are struggling with things this year, I challenge you to just one week of positive thinking.  It starts with looking in the mirror first thing in the morning and recognizing that person you see is worth the investment.  Take an extra effort each day, and note the details of your life. The little things that are joyful, or worthy of a smile or laugh.  Right now looking at my new powerful crystal bracelet I can only help but smile.  That carnie was good!

October 11, 2015

Rights and privileges. In my opinion, being thankful is taking that which the world would deem as your right, or entitlement, and reclassifying it as a privilege.  To be thankful is to understand that every blessing that you may have is a miracle, and that with only a small change in circumstance it could be lost.  

Family, friends, freedom, health are examples of items that for whatever reason you may enjoy. By comparison, and under the recognition that this item may be an exception to those around you, to be truly thankful is to recognize that whatever you may enjoy comes to you undeservedly.  With that mindset, comes the greatest thing….appreciation for what you are blessed with.

This weekend I enjoyed two wonderful dinners with my beautiful wife, two boys, and friends while also having the chance to get to the advanced voting station prior to heading out to a new job.  What more in life could a person ask for. 

October 4, 2015

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.”
― Thích Nhất Hạnh 

I am blessed in the fact that I barely have to think before my mind stumbles across something that makes me smile.  This world is truly a miracle in itself, without the additional blessings of family and friends.

I find that I often forget the potency of mindfulness under a well aligned perspective.  Attention to the details of the world around me, and truly seeing the miracle of each observation.  If I approach it from that angle, life enjoyment is almost inevitable.  Take for example that you cannot deeply concentrate on your next breath of air, without truly being thankful and happy for what it has given you.

This past meeting reminded me of that.  As Sifu alluded to, it was the two degree adjustment in perspective that I needed.