My morning routine has in changed much in the last 15 years or so; get up early, pour myself a cup of coffee, find my beat up and battered recliner, read a section of the Bible and then scan the news. That’s what I was doing yesterday when I read the sad report of plane crash over the Potomac River in Washington, DC. Sixty-seven people were also doing routine things, including the pilots flying the Blackhawk helicopter that apparently collided with the plane. So, I did what I always do when I read or hear about such tragedies…I prayed for those who lost their lives as well as their families, friends and loved ones. For me, it’s kind of a reflex of sorts, wanting to do something to help and knowing the only thing I can do, is pray. Perhaps it’s more of a comfort for me because nobody likes to think about how fragile life is. Let’s face it, death is not a fun subject at parties. But it is a reality we will all face some day.
Now that I’m “getting on in years,” (this is a reference to my favorite movie, the best movie of all time…those close to me will know) I can remember being on the steady train of going to work every day, taking care of the family. That included doing everything I could to provide the best life possible; big house, descent cars, occasional dinners out, maybe a vacation here or there. You get used to working for Friday, when you can lay all that down for a minute and enjoy the fruits of your labor. We had a really nice house after I retired from the military; a far cry from a couple of the dilapidated and occasionally rat infested homes we lived in during my career. My favorite part of our “life after the military home” was the yard that I tended like the gardener of a palatial mansion, as did my neighbors. On the first days of Spring, we’d all be out there, spreading grass seed, laying down mulch, putting in landscape timbers and planting flowers. You do all that, of course, so you can enjoy the season to come, planning for sunny days with meat on the grill and a cold beer, nestled in the slice of heaven you worked hard to create.
And somewhere, deep in your subconscious, there may be a hint of fear or concern that all this is temporary. But you don’t think about on your way to work on Monday. Instead, you think of the week ahead, of soccer games and recitals, meetings and deadlines. You promise yourself that you’re going to make time for your wife and have a date, talk to your oldest about the first year and college…call your dad. There always seems to be plenty of time to do all this and you might even achieve most of it, but if you don’t there’s always tomorrow. At least, that’s what we like tell ourselves, isn’t it?
Most of us don’t spend a lot of time realizing that we actually don’t have a lot of time. “You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air].” James 4:14. Maybe, if we contemplated things a little more, the grudges we hold would lose their appeal; it’s hard to tell someone you’re sorry when they’re dead. Or the money and things we work so hard to achieve would pale in comparison to simple moments on a back porch with a glass of wine, a well-tuned guitar and the company of people we love. Of course, money buys all of those things and I’m definitely not saying that money is a bad thing as long as it’s not the only thing. And wealth is a wonderful blessing to share with friends and family. All I’m saying is, the wealth we should focus the most is that of the spirt. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:19-20. You don’t have to be religious or a Christian to understand the wisdom of this verse. You can’t buy your way to heaven, but you can love your way there.
Now, maybe you’re new to this blog and you’re wondering how martial arts fits into all of this. Well, this is martial arts. Specifically, it is budo, the “way of enlightenment through warrior training.” You see, all warriors understand that life is finite. They know and comprehend that every engagement could their last. You can’t have that in the font of your mind because you won’t be able to accomplish your mission. But you keep that knowledge close so that when you come back from that mission, you’re grateful for another day and another moment with the people you’re fighting for, whether it’s on a battlefield or behind a desk.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed and today is gift. But I can tell you this…love is never wasted, even if it is not received. And time is never wasted when it is spent with those we care about, even if it’s nothing more than a kiss before you leave for work or a five minute phone call to your dad.
Dave Magliano
Tatsu Dojo
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho
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