My name is Joe. And this is my Diary of Change.
Well, this is the beginning. 2008. A time of change. I’m new to the concept of the Blog. I prefer to think of it as a digital diary. I need to change my life. Of course, life, almost by definition is change, so I guess I’m already successful. I have set up the following direction to my change:
- I want to be healthier
- I want to have less pain
- I want to be a better husband
- I want to be a better father
- I want to be a better martial artist
As Sifu says (often enough that it stayed in my head), when climbing a mountain, don’t decide exactly what point to which you are going to climb, first decide on the mountain, and then the area you would like to be. I’m not going to set an exact point – like I want to lose 30 lbs. Yes, I could use to lose 30 pounds but that won’t necessarily make me healthier.
This is my path in the previously mentioned direction:
- Eat better
- Exercise more
- Meditate
- Abandon anger
- Be accountable (hence the blog)
- Get rid of my worst habit: the need of always being right and the embarrassment that goes with it.
If someone should end up reading this, I promise the following:
- It will be funny. What good is the written word if it has no humor?
- I will not use foul language. After all, anyone could be reading this
- I will site sources. I plan on bringing up any health related topic that has helped me.
- It won’t just be about one thing. I plan on blabbing my mouth (or my fingers) about every topic I want to talk about. Anything from politics to exercise to Zen.
So this is my Diary of Change. Thanks for joining me.
July 16, 2008 at 12:59 pm
Joe,
This is awesome! I took a quick peek during lunch to get an idea of what you had on your blog. I would love to do something like this myself and blog with our fellow students.
After I read more, I’ll post some comments, but with this cursory look, I think you are on to something tremendous!
I want to “thank you” again for your kind words, interest in my success, and comraderie. You and so many others at the dojo have made me feel so special. I have been struggling with my place in the world lately and various self-esteem issues. You guys have put my thoughts back on track. As I say in my paper, “I owe you more than I could ever repay!”
See you soon at the dojo,
DMAC
September 11, 2008 at 3:28 am
Joe,
Great paper! It is so hard to be committed to many things in life. Usually, that “hardness” is generated from the inside out.
I have found that I must change before the world around me will change. The world is in constant change and flux. If you make short term changes to suit what is currently going on in the world, before you know it the world has reshuffled the deck!
You are so right about Sifu’s “5 Ways to become a Great(or True) Martial Artist”. They transcend every aspect of our lives. I can see the small changes in myself and I am on the path to becoming a better person. I have role models or guideposts like you to help me along this path. I respect you for being willing to share your weaknesses and fears. The ironic part is that many of us share those same weaknesses and fears. We are more alike than we are different!
You keep at it and we’ll hopefully have more time to walk the path together.
Your Brother in the Struggle,
DMAC