Why Am I So Different?

About three weeks ago I was in Toronto for training for work. There were about 35 other people from across Canada there as well. At the end of each day, large groups of people would gather together to go out for dinner and drinks, and socializing, etc.. . except me. I would head on down to the fitness facility in the hotel, and work out for an hour and then hit the pool. I also took lots of time to sit by the outdoor pool and journal. I managed to get all caught up in my journals, writing over 20 full pages in the course of my 4 day trip.

I didn't feel any pressure at all to join the others in their evening activities, but I did however wonder at the thought of "why am I so different than the rest of them? Why don't I want to go too?" I don't really have any strong definitive answers, but I do know that my kung fu training has a lot to do with it. I see the world so much more different as a martial artist than I did as a non martial artist. I see things a bit more clearly as they really are and not as they may seem on the surface. This has also come about from my trails over the years. Not that going out and socializing is wrong, or bad, but it just isn't something that is a priority to me.

At a conference this past weekend in Calgary, I listened to 6 men of very strong character speak to our group. In one of the talks, the man speaking said, "sometimes we don't see things as they really are, we see them as we are". I have thought a lot about this over the past few days since, and I am very interested in the true meaning of it. I think I understand it, and unfortunately can think of many people who see things the way they want to see things, but fail to even try to see things for what they really are. They are so open minded to their own needs, desires, and ideas, that they are blinded to anything else, especially what really is. I am so grateful to kung fu for helping to open my eyes, and see much of the world as it really is. By this I mean that I can see needs of others, aside from just my own, and I can empathize with those that are less fortunate. I recognize the blessings in my life, and not a day goes by that I am not grateful for them.

About 3 weeks ago, I was in Waterton with a group of about 25 other people, male and female. On the Saturday, we went on a hike. Most of the people stopped at the first stage of the hike, and then the rest stopped at the next stage. There were 4 of us that went the full length of the hike: myself and 3 of the men. It was a tough climb, and one that took just over 9 hours. The men that I was with were quite impressed with my ability to not only do the climb, but lead it a large amount of the way. Again, I wonder at the differences in myself to others my own age. Kung fu, and especially being a black belt has given me standards to follow. Being fit and staying healthy, is just a couple of them. I like to be fit and stay healthy. It is very important to me, for many reasons. Once again, my gratefulness for my martial arts training, and all that it gives me on a daily basis are in the forefront of my mind.