Something to believe in

That little outpouring yesterday proved more useful than i'd thought, not just as catharsis but also to make me realise how much i want to get back to my old, more positive self.

To that end, i've decided to stop focussing so much with what's rotten in the world and the human race, which i'm pretty well versed in already, but to try to find examples of what's right with it all, things to inspire and remind us what we could be like if we want.

One such thing that i remembered was this. A couple of months back, some people from my taekwondo club went as part of an Australian contingent to Korea for a big taekwondo festival and competition they have every few years. While there, they encountered a team from Afghanistan, competing for the first time. When some of the junior kids saw the pitiful state of the worn-out shoes and equipment the Afghani kids were using they decided off their own bat to have a quick whip-round among their parents and other Australians, and bought new shoes and equipment for them. Apparently it went down a treat.

Little things like that remind me why we just might not be irredeemable as a species, what our values as a culture could really stand for, and even how sport could be something better than a glory-seeking ego trip.

More of it, i say.

C'noath

Earlier this year, i visited a different taekwondo club for a technical seminar. It's always interesting to see how they do things differently in other clubs. At this place, they have a practise of reciting the old 'taekwondo oath' before the class, which goes like this:

"I will always give respect and loyalty to the Association, the instructors and my club. I will endeavour to maintain a high standard of physical fitness and develop my character and personal integrity. I will approach others in a spirit of friendship and heed social ethics at all times."

Despite the stuffy wording and parochial tone of some bits, there are some good principles in there. One bit that particularly stood out to me was the part about "character and personal integrity", as good words to describe my thoughts on the way trying to live with a bit of honesty and ethics often seems to be equated as some kind of weakness, when in fact it's actually more about strength of character and integrity, which is the type that really counts (see also my 'dishonesty' rant from the early days of this journal).

It got me thinking (just for a change) about my own values, and what i aspire to. i decided on an adaptation for my own version, which at the moment goes something like this:

"I will always give respect by default and loyalty where deserved. I will endeavour to improve upon weaknesses, learn from mistakes and develop my character and personal integrity. I will try to make a difference where possible, live my life by my standards and refuse to feel ashamed for it. I will approach others in the spirit of friendship and consider courtesy and ethics at all times. "

May develop with time, but it'll do for starters.

And if you don't like it, you can get f***ed. :)

almost there..

Mach Pelican. Sinshifters. Green Room. Tonight. Bells on. Touch wood. Bring it on.