I am privileged. I have a loving family, a decent job (though I gripe about it way to much), a home, transportation, health, mental stability, the list goes on and on. But I still complain. Why?
Is it entitlement? Is it my "right" to whine when in all reality I have more of everything than I will ever need or be able to use? Tough to answer but no I don't.
Sitting at Christmas dinner with my family last night, I thought about this, and I was immensely proud to be part of this group of people. They are happy, caring and loving people. But there is a gigantic gap in this circle, my Dad, I dearly miss my Dad, this is the fifth Christmas since he passed, but I endeavor to acknowledge him and all he accomplished, striving to fill his gigantic shoes with my choices and actions. Everywhere in my Mom's house there is reminders of him. One that hit me hard last night was seeing his Operation Red Nose (https://www.operationnezrouge.com/en/) hat with it's dozens of pins, each one representing a year of him volunteering to ensure people he didn't know got home safe to their loved ones' after a night of celebration. Then there was his volunteering to drive seniors to appointments, his work with the Kinsmen, his 150th blood donation, etc, big BIG shoes!
So what do I do to help my fellow human. Yes I donate blood at least three times a year and I will volunteer when I am volun-told but I need to do more.
Being a Martial Artist stirs this feeling in me to a frenzy. In a good way of course. I am not going to rush out and impose my ideals on those who do not want it, but offer my hand to those who want it, not taking offence when they don't. Being a part of Silent River allows me to do this in an organized way, but I need to step out on my own and do more if I am to start to close the gap left by my Dad's passing.
Anyways, that is where my head is at today. Just wanted to share...
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