My teacher, Sensei Sargeant, has written some words of wisdom for New Year 2015 on how we live our lives and how many of us waste some of it but that with a little more commitment could do better.
Well, I read his words, imperfect as any words can be to share something so meaningful and in a moment of wasting time in the middle of the day, I thought, 'I'll go to the beach and take a Jo".
The Sun was shining but the wind was cold on the exposed beach but I stuck at it. Performing three times each, the 13 kata, the 31 kata and 20 suburi . . . well there might have only been 19 but I didn't give myself a hard time . . . even when the moves had obvious imperfections.
I then did a little tai chi as I watched waves coming towards the beach and looking taller than I am until they broke on the rocks.
Some people stopped and talked with me about the arts, in fact a few groups stopped to share a moment of peace and interest in this beautiful world.
The thing is, can I keep up the commitment or will it break like the waves on the rocks?
Having trained for forty years I should not doubt myself so much. . . but I do, for we must be vigilant that we don't fall into a deep sleep too early. It is easy done.