Celebration Day: Reflections of 2012



Hello all, it's been a hot minute since we've just chatted. This past year we've discussed numerous subjects ranging from my travels throughout the US and Israel, leadership and personal development ideas, meditations on being an ethical protector, thoughts about some of the darker side of humanity regarding protecting self and others from various forms of violence and finally path notes of mental chatter as we wind down this rambling road called life together. That said, I am sitting here reflecting on this past year, as well as some years prior and of course, the year to come, as I watch Led Zeppelin's Celebration Day, the latest cd/dvd pack from their 2007 London performance. If you are a Zep fan (or want to be) I would recommend that you pick it up!

Ahhhh 2012... Don't get me wrong, it wasn't without its challenges (some bigger than others) but overall, I have no complaints. I am surrounded by people who inspire me; I am following my bliss and seeing more and more success doing it; I have my health (aside from my usual aches, pains and injuries); I have amazing family, friends and colleagues; I'm not (financially) rich, but I'm not living in a cardboard box (yet) and although sometimes times are a little tight I have to remind myself that I still live better than about 95% of the worlds population and I am able to do some pretty amazing things, so I never let myself lose sight of how fortunate I really am! Much of that fortune is because of you... Yes, that's right, I did say YOU! Most likely you my dear reader have contributed to my success in some small or not so small way, so thank YOU! I can't express how much I appreciate all of you. But I can say this: I don't know exactly how 2013 will unfold, but I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that it brings with it. Judging from my calendar, I am off to a fantastic start. My January is booked solid; February is pretty busy with events, including being key note speaker for this years West Michigan Counseling Association's Winter Conference and a 3 day workshop I am doing with Israeli Krav International Head Instructor Moshe Katz (Click here for details). As for the rest of my year? Can you say: Resolution Group International - Israeli Krav International - Budo Taijutsu - The Conquerors - Babacita - Ronin Krav Maga - The PeaceWalker Project - Ronin Empowerment Group - and many others! I won't spoil the rest of the surprise for you, but, it is already filling with numerous trips, workshops, video shoots, book openings, seminars, presentations, proposals, teaching, learning, donating, contributing, growing, exploring & creating!

So enough about me, tell me what do you have to be thankful for? What does next year have in store for you!? What kind of year will you create? I hope some of you write in and tell me what's going on in your lives.

As you start strolling down 2013's path, remember the four (4) principles of the PeaceWalker:

1) See Conflict as an Opportunity.
2) Embrace the Universal Life Value - That ALL Life is to be Protected and Respected.
3) Work Toward Most Good / Least Harm for Everyone.
4) Share Through Inspiration.

If you follow that recipe you're bound to have a more fulfilling year!

I look forward to sharing our journey next year. So let's all...

Keep Going!

All the best,
~Craig





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

An Uncomfortable Situation

Image
  Funny pic (and movie) about a not so funny situation… In training as in Life, it’s better to treat people with dignity and respect. However… What does that look like in the moment? Being that I’m teaching a Women’s Assault Prevention and Response Workshop this weekend - it’s probably a good time to talk about… Uncomfortable Situations Let’s talk about training at the academy for a minute… We run open co-ed classes at the local academy. What does that mean? Men and women train together, but we don’t stop there. People of different skill levels, backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, careers, religious beliefs, political affiliations, ages, injuries, pre-existing conditions, life experience, training expectations etc. etc. train together! We ALL work together! Overall, I think it’s better this way. Of course sometimes there’s static, you know, conflicts, and misunderstanding. When something happens, most of the time it’s just that, a misunderstanding… Sometimes people simply do
Read more

The Shot Heard Around the World

Image
Even though many could see where all of this division and hatred in our country was leading to, when we witness the actual violence, realty once again floods in and has a way of shattering the comfort of our complacency, if only until the next headline. Some may find all of this shocking, others may see it simply validating their own fears. Regardless, of your political views, we have to take into account what this level of violence can do not only to the former President and his family, but what does to the state of our entire Nation. Yesterday as news broke of former President Donald Trump being shot, I can’t say that I was entirely surprised. Saddened, but not surprised. Regardless of your political stance, this act of violence is a dark reminder of the dangerous consequences of a society steeped in hate and division. Our collective heartbreak should not be about politics, but about the division and hatred that fuels this erosion of our humanity. We live in a time where traditional
Read more

Cutting Through the Static

Image
  Me and the crew at Venue 3 Two after a PeaceWalker Conflict Communication Workshop Remember in the old days when you used to listen to the radio on a road trip? No, not digital or streaming. I’m talking about old school FM radio. When you’re putting some miles on and crossing state lines. The radio stations you listen to don’t broadcast far enough for your entire trip, so you have to channel surf to find new channels as you move on down the road. You continue to push the search button until you hear a song in the genre that you want so you can lock in a desirable station for a spell. Sometimes you’re listening to a song you really like but the station is fading… The static starts feint, almost imperceptible, than grows in intensity to the degree that you can no longer ignore it. If you really like the song, you try to hang on as long as you can, listening to the tune through the white noise and times it cuts out completely, hoping to hear as much of the song as you can before the sta
Read more