Leave the Battles for the Younger Guys now.

I was speaking with my former boss last week and we were reminiscing about times gone by and the changing work force. It was a pleasant conversation but something he said struck me.
He is working for a very large corporate company now and enjoys it, however he admits he recognizes many flaws but feels he is too old to deal with it. Basically he said after the age of 50 he is trying to slow down, "leave the battles for the younger guys now".
On one hand I understand where hes coming from but for me it seems all wrong.
I think as long as you are breathing you should never lay down your guns. Drag them if you have to! (Metaphorically speaking of course).
He is not alone in his position, I know plenty of other 50+ individuals whom have the same ideologies. Slow down, relax, take the retirement job...don't rock the boat and collect your check.
Problem is, if you have the "not my problem" attitude at work it can only creep into the rest of your existence, choosing to care and put quality into what you do only when it suites you or its convenient.
Thankfully, I know just as many other 50+ individuals who are the exact opposite.
Tenacious in their work ethic, always looking to improve themselves and in good physical shape on top of everything else.
They are my mentors.

On a somewhat related note...I am in the middle of a training course, I have been learning about the judicial system and how it relates to aviation. I am off to Cornwall, Ontario next week for the second half of the course. It is all very new learning about civil and criminal law in relation to aviation, pretty interesting stuff...OK , maybe not that interesting nobody gets put in an arm bar!

I am glad to be learning something new and quite excited about challenging myself...this is what keeps you young.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Can I keep him in a Bubble?

My little guy starts kindergarten tomorrow.

You would think it is me going to school for the first time and not him. I am both excited for him and nervous. There is the usual hopes that he makes new friends and enjoys the learning experience. It is a monumental point in ones life whether you remember it or not.

I suppose I could be overprotective but I am already worried about "Bullying". Both the thoughts of him suffering from it or worse he starts to develop into a bully send me into a frantic,loss of control panic.

I recall how prevalent it was when I was in school and how it was ignored by most of the grown ups. If a student complained, you were a "tattle tale", teased even more, told to play elsewhere, etc. I think the views of the time were "bullying " was a fact of life and it built character.

That is simply garbage.

The effects of "bullying" unchecked are life lasting for both the victim and the perpetrator. I think the younger it starts the more profound effect it has on the individual.

As a small human being developing character, self esteem, self worth and good morale fiber this all begins with their first interactions. Guidance is imperative, first from the parents, caregivers, teachers...it does take a village to raise a child.

I don't know why but I am always very interested in human character that goes off the rails. How much of it began at a young age...can you blame genetics... I suppose to a certain point, however, I think as "grown ups" we play an enormous part in the development of youth today, not just our own but all in our community. The neighbors kids, the teenager who plays his drums across the street, the babysitter with too many body piercings, the little girl on the tricycle that asks too many questions, the nervous kid student driver whose taking too long to turn, all of them, everywhere.

The point is, each day I have an opportunity to interact with the future and influence in my own way, whether with words or by example but I first have to be aware, take the time and care.

Too often, we are on the go, too busy to take the time or probably more accurately, we are so preoccupied with the buzzing in our own heads we have become oblivious to whats happening in front of us.

Something as simple as "bullying" (and it is simple if you think about it) could easily be eradicated if we, all of us grown ups, just took the time to watch, listen and act.

All for now, from an excited but slightly panicked parent.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

1 Comment

I read everyones blog on a regular basis. I don't often comment even when I do have something to say. I'm not sure why, probably because I'm in a hurry. I give myself 15minutes to have a cup of coffee and enjoy the insights of others. If I stop to write something that makes sense and edit it properly it takes time. Not the right approach of course.


I just want to say, I appreciate the time people take to write their thoughts. Sometimes it helps me , sometimes it provokes me to think beyond my world and my goals, sometimes I disagree respectfully but again gives me the opportunity to ponder other perspectives, sometimes I just get a laugh and a chuckle which I think I appreciate the most.

So thanks.

(and yes, this is a lame way of getting out of blogging something insightful but its still sincere!).



JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta

In A Fog

I have no rants this week, not even an interesting thought for myself let alone to blog about.

I am not sure why but last week was terrible for training and focus. It started by missing a couple of days of doing anything. No forms, no pushups, no weights or running. Life happens of course, and days like these interfere, however, I couldn't seem to pull myself out of it.

The more I didn't do the more I didn't want to do (sorry grammar police).

It was a slippery slope ...no physical activity made me feel sluggish and down and the result was no motivation to do any physical activity.

The simple solution is to just do it!(thanks Nike).

It was tough, I begrudgingly dragged myself to the gym and forced out a pathetic workout. Just like that the Endorphin release (as the theory goes) put me in a better frame of mind and I felt like I was back in control again.

I still feel like I am in a fog, I don't have alot of drive or focus back yet.

Right now the important thing to do when your in a fog is to keep going, don't stop and assure yourself the fog and lack of focus is only temporary.

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

I'll have to Think about it.

I am amazed by people whom are what I call "deep thinkers" or maybe a better description would be philosophical individuals.
I have decided that I am a lazy thinker.
I live in a world where I want answers. Its either black or white, yes or no, wrong or right. Of course I know life is not like this, as a matter of fact it is rarely black or white, more 99% a mass of colors with many circumstances to consider.
Anyways, I listen to the thoughts of others.
Why do I not process thoughts like they do. My brain seems to stop and say thats enough. I have all the information I need to make a decision.

Diving into the deep philosophy world tires me out... Does life have to be that complicated? Do we need to beat the issue, the topic to death? Whats with all the metaphors and riddles?
42 What?...Can you people please get to the point!

Sorry, that was out loud.

This is my brain giving out on me. You see, I manage to push myself physically the extra mile...one more lap, two more pushups, just another rep... but I do not apply this to the old grey matter.

The question is do I need to? Should I start trying to?
If physical activity keeps the body young should not mental activity do the same for the brain?

I have always had enough common sense to get by on but I find myself becoming more opened minded as I age(mature), I am more apt to listen to the "blah blah blah" of my philosophical company where I used to shut them down with a point blank rebuttal ...or maybe I am just getting soft.

I don't know, I guess I'll just have to think about it.


JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

What has kung fu done for me?

I hated this question when I tested for my Black Belt. I spent months trying to answer this question in my head and when it came time to express it publicly for the school banquet I completely deviated from my written speech and improvised.

So now the topic has come up again, this time its seems ridiculously easy to reply.

Kung fu hasn't done anything for me...Silent River Kung Fu has done everything for me.

Now before you think I am trying to score points with the big guy, I am seriously not the type to go to that kind of trouble.

The fact is, over the years as many people have found out I practiced a martial art the comments and questions were always the same..."What style do you train in?" "What belt level are you?" ..."Yeah , I tried karate for a while, it was boring after a while" or "Yeah, I was in taekwondo, but the school was all about tournaments" or my favorite" Yeah, I took martial arts a few years ago, but the instructor was weird, he let his pet snake crawl around the floor while we did push ups! I quit after that..."

My point is, its not the particular martial art, its the school supporting the martial art.

I know I am super lucky to have stumbled across Silent River Kung Fu. I did not research the school or the owner or even watch a few classes before joining. I think there are lots of good schools but very few extraordinary schools.

So what is SRKF doing for me. It has reinforced work ethic, discipline to achieve any goal I set my mind to. I have not only learnt empathy for others but now I practice it. It has put me in a global frame of mind and reminds me every week to think outside of my little bubble.

I think it is important to attend on a regular basis because you are given a gentle reminder(and sometimes not so gentle) of these concepts to keep in front of you when you are out dealing with the civilians of your world!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta Canada

Historical, Economical or Political

Edmonton municipal (city centre) airport closure is a local hot topic. This blog may not have an underlying message but as "Bob Layton" from our local radio station says, it may be a good way to vent and say good bye.

I won't get into the debate about why it should or should not be left open. That has been done and obviously the professional presentation to keep the airport alive has not convinced the people who hold the power. I 'm holding back right now because I can think of about ten good reasons it should stay active off the top of my head....however...

This airport has history, for alot of people, for me personally I was 17 years old when I started working at the Edmonton Flying Club as a dispatcher. The building is still there and still looks the same. When I drive by it, I can glimpse back in time when I was a young teen with my first real job. (Yes, I once was a teenager). I went on to refuel and groom the aircraft and then finally apprentice as a mechanic. At that point I left Edmonton to go to school for my apprenticeship.

I did come back to work at different hangars around the airport periodically over the years. Over those past years I have watched the airport go from a vibrant transportation hub, all different sizes of aircraft from commercial, corporate, flying schools and private recreational to a sad neglected quiet field.

I recall, you could finish a hard days work and walk across the street to the local establishments for a beverage and be sure there would be someone to sit down and chat with from the aviation community. The aviation community is a tight one and this airport was a neighborhood and a mutual meeting ground for everyone all over the provinces and territories. There was and is no other place like it.

Of course this is my history, long before me it was a World War II aircraft training post. A walk through the the museum at the airport is well worth your time. Actually, quite amazing what went on a this little airport.

I guess I am one of those people whom are effected by the closure at the heart of the matter.

Its like watching a loved one die a slow and painful death with all her dignity forcefully taken away. You almost wish they would pull the plug and get it over with because you can't bear to see her it this state anymore when you know the inevitable is coming. May be a little over dramatic to others but it is exactly how I feel about it.

I just wish I lived in Edmonton so I could vote next go around!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta ,Canada