Planting Seeds

I have a friend who used to be in a different martial art as a teen. She was looking for something to put her son into and started talking to me about kung fu. She mentioned that she wanted something that would teach him discipline and give him confidence- I told her that is what we were about. She went on to tell me that she did not like her old school very much, that they were not very invested in your success unless you signed a contract and you were required to compete in tournaments. I recently found out that her son is now attending this same school, strictly because their price tag was lower.

So figure that one out. She knows what her she wants for her son but is unwilling to invest. As with anything, you get what you put in. Financially or otherwise.

What benefit is there from short term gain if you receive nothing that you were looking for? Seems to me like a wasted effort. In the short term, it is easier to write a cheque than to put yourself out there and act upon your beliefs. But what are you going to receive? Nothing will change, no one will hear what you have to say. A year from now you will wonder why the world is in the state it is as you once again write that cheque.

Sifu Brinker has mentioned this dozens of times now. Yet it has always been something I've struggled with although logically I understand the consequences of my inaction. This year I'm trying something different- I'm putting myself out there and having those conversations, even with those people who are of a vastly different opinion than me. This weekend was a start- a long debate with the neighbours over everything from Earls to Trudeau to the tar sands to Syria. It was't the most productive conversation, but maybe, just maybe I planted a seed. And thats what we're aiming for, isn't it?

Khona Rybak