It is said that what you do to end the year is what you will do the most of in the next. Today, I went SCUBA diving with a friend on the reef out east of American Shoal. The sky and the sea were equals trying to best each other in a contest to determine which was more beautiful; both equally clear and and of nearly equal hue. Both exactly the same 75 degrees and the only indication that there was a contest between them to see which was closer to perfect was the choppy, ever moving boundary between them. We bagged 11 lobster and a nice black grouper. Truly a "Chamber of Commerce" day for the last day of 2011. And if this was any indication, I'd say 2012 will be just fine.
But it is not my intent to take that for granted. I need to draw the picture; how do I want my new year turn out? Hmmmm....maybe that's what resolutions are for: to help resolve the details of what the new year should look like.
Ah, but what is a Blog without some mention of resolutions for the New Year; those cobbles of good intent that are legendary for paving the Road to Perdition? I really don't believe that notion about good intent, by the way. Good acts and sustained positive results are not possible without first there being a good intent...someplace..... Intent is necessary. Yes, there are a great many "good intentions" that either began as lip service and so died a vacant death, or for whatever reason began well but one excuse or another caused them to fall to the roadbed and Time marched them into well worn ruts. But the Road to Hell was, is and always will be laid down by the wicked and paved with acts of omission and volition at the foundation of which are bad intent, not good. It's a theory, anyway.
So, to my resolutions. They are reflective of elements of my life I've been watching for a while now and which could use a tweak or two to help me bring a little more focus to the picture and make a go of 2012. There's nothing dramatic here; I have no new leaves to turn over or horses to climb back upon. This is just maintenance and I hope that putting them to black and white will help me to be the better "artist". My written Intent, if you will. I so resolve:
1) To write more. I am enjoying the process whereby I choose my Blog subjects. It makes me more observant of my life. I am interested in seeing more.
2) To close my eyes and listen (just not while I'm driving...). A friend and fellow Aikidoka recommended this to me. Close your eyes (and your mouth) for just a few moments and listen to your surroundings. What do you hear? He's done this many times in public places in the US and abroad (he loves traveling to Europe). He says this exercise is why The Netherlands is his favorite place on Earth. He's never heard sadness or anger there. While I don't think the practice will make me a devout Oranje-phile (truly, I have the fondest sentiments for my few Dutch friends), the few times I have tried it have yielded interesting results--results worth studying and maybe writing about later.
3) To make the principles of Aikido more a part of everyday life outside the dojo. Aikido is the martial art I chose to practice when I was stationed in Korea. Six years later I am still at it. I guess you can say I am dedicated to the practice of the art, but that practice tends to stop at the door of the dojo. Aikido is an art of Peace. By contrast, I am a quick-to-anger-and-decision hot-head. I can do better. There are principles in the practice of my Aikido that apply well outside the school house:
A) Aikido is to be practiced in a vigorous and joyful manner. Apparently life should be, too. I'm doing okay with this one.
B) When pulled, enter. When pushed, turn. Think about this in terms of anger management and conflict resolution.
C) Always forward (the power of presence). You can be "present" in retreat just as if you are moving forward. BUT living in or dwelling on the past is not Aiki.
D) True victory is self-victory. A little thoughtfulness and control before we speak and act is a good thing.
E) Make breathing part of the technique. Breathe, wiggle your toes. You'll be fine. Learned this one flying formation through a thunderstorm in flight school, long before I found Aikido. No kidding, it works.
4) To work on my vocabulary. In the movie A Christmas Story, young Ralph describes his father as working "in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay; it was his true medium." Yeah, I do that, too. I am given to the use of all manner of expletive. I feel diminished after I resort to it. I tend to believe that over use of obscenity is a sign of a limited imagination. That said, there is merit to the use of the well placed tactically considered F-bomb. But such words or their synonyms and dramatic cousins should not be subject, object, verb and adjective all in the same utterance. Consider your words as you do your actions. They are the tint of the lens through which you are viewed.
5) To continue with my fitness efforts. Easy one. Softball, for sure. The running, work outs, prepping for my first triathlon; all of it so far is a ton of fun and I continue to find myself in the company of the most wonderful people.
Finally,what's not listed here: such resolutions as "feed the hungry", "adopt a sheltered pet", "help the poor", "shelter the abused" (though I am more prone to favor "bring brutal accountability to the abuser") or other related noble intentions are not listed here. I already have a cause, and I am fortunate enough that acting on that cause is part of my job day in and day out. I thank God everyday that I am allowed to be a part of that, and that it demands so very much of me.
It's not that I don't believe these others to be worthy as causes or as resolutions. More likely it's that I don't think myself worthy enough to carry them out. There are far stronger folks than I who make these intentions into everyday acts of their own, and so I resolve that I will support them in their acts when I am able.
Six Resolutions written above. Just words, or are they the good intent paving a way to follow into a good new year? I'm being pulled that way and I will enter...so.
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