Philosophy and Saint Arnolds
I'm having a less than stellar workout and writing this in between sets. Bad Chris.
First things, first: I've always been a fan of Saint Arnold's, both as a company and of the products they make. I used to see Brock regularly for beer tastings at the Gingerman more than ten years ago. That being said, their pub crawl has got to get reined in. It wrecks the Village, sending out hordes of amateurs to clog lines and parking spots. In the grand scheme of things, it's not the end of the world, but it's highly fucking annoying to want a quiet drink after work and get it sprung on you that someone else's party is crashing yours.
I did get to spend time with a good friend last night, which made things a lot better. Hanging out with him got me thinking about what we do to be happy - not the momentary happiness that can come anytime, but the deeper happiness that I associate with serenity and knowing one's place in the universe.
About two and a half years ago, I made a life changing decision to start riding a bike to train for the MS150. It broke me out of a bad rut and started me on the road to challenging myself again. It's important to be challenged, I think, because the alternative is a disaffected complacency that leads to tepid predicability at best, and at worst can mask depression. At least, it's no way to live by my book. :)
Krav Maga has been the latest challenge I've taken, and while I'm enjoying it, there's still something missing in my life. I was talking with some friends a few weeks ago about the philosophies behind various martial arts, and how Krav doesn't have one at all - but that's not the point of Krav.
Still, I need to be reminded of a warrior's mentality. I don't mean some hardcore ascetic approach to life that mandates ferocity in everything (like cooking breakfast with a snarl?) - but a way of living that mandates self reliance, self forgiveness, serving others, and being accepting. That's what I've always strived for, and I've lost a lot of that.
A few months ago, the idea I had of being serene was completely shattered due to my inability to follow the above tenets. That was an eye opener. I've reread some books of mine on Buddhist philosophies, and I picked up a few books tonight that blend martial arts with ways of approaching living, including one that espouses the teachings of Bruce Lee. I'm excited.
Oh well - it is time for a late dinner and bed for an early bike ride. The internet radio station I've been listening to has been playing an acoustic version of Cindi Lauper's "She-bop". It is a haunting and pensive arrangement, but it strikes me as gimmicky. I grew up with the original, and while she shows a depth and range with this version, I can't help but think of her frenetic and don't-take-me-seriously stylings in the past and wonder if this is another joke.
