Celebration Day: Reflections of 2012



Hello all, it's been a hot minute since we've just chatted. This past year we've discussed numerous subjects ranging from my travels throughout the US and Israel, leadership and personal development ideas, meditations on being an ethical protector, thoughts about some of the darker side of humanity regarding protecting self and others from various forms of violence and finally path notes of mental chatter as we wind down this rambling road called life together. That said, I am sitting here reflecting on this past year, as well as some years prior and of course, the year to come, as I watch Led Zeppelin's Celebration Day, the latest cd/dvd pack from their 2007 London performance. If you are a Zep fan (or want to be) I would recommend that you pick it up!

Ahhhh 2012... Don't get me wrong, it wasn't without its challenges (some bigger than others) but overall, I have no complaints. I am surrounded by people who inspire me; I am following my bliss and seeing more and more success doing it; I have my health (aside from my usual aches, pains and injuries); I have amazing family, friends and colleagues; I'm not (financially) rich, but I'm not living in a cardboard box (yet) and although sometimes times are a little tight I have to remind myself that I still live better than about 95% of the worlds population and I am able to do some pretty amazing things, so I never let myself lose sight of how fortunate I really am! Much of that fortune is because of you... Yes, that's right, I did say YOU! Most likely you my dear reader have contributed to my success in some small or not so small way, so thank YOU! I can't express how much I appreciate all of you. But I can say this: I don't know exactly how 2013 will unfold, but I am excited about the possibilities and opportunities that it brings with it. Judging from my calendar, I am off to a fantastic start. My January is booked solid; February is pretty busy with events, including being key note speaker for this years West Michigan Counseling Association's Winter Conference and a 3 day workshop I am doing with Israeli Krav International Head Instructor Moshe Katz (Click here for details). As for the rest of my year? Can you say: Resolution Group International - Israeli Krav International - Budo Taijutsu - The Conquerors - Babacita - Ronin Krav Maga - The PeaceWalker Project - Ronin Empowerment Group - and many others! I won't spoil the rest of the surprise for you, but, it is already filling with numerous trips, workshops, video shoots, book openings, seminars, presentations, proposals, teaching, learning, donating, contributing, growing, exploring & creating!

So enough about me, tell me what do you have to be thankful for? What does next year have in store for you!? What kind of year will you create? I hope some of you write in and tell me what's going on in your lives.

As you start strolling down 2013's path, remember the four (4) principles of the PeaceWalker:

1) See Conflict as an Opportunity.
2) Embrace the Universal Life Value - That ALL Life is to be Protected and Respected.
3) Work Toward Most Good / Least Harm for Everyone.
4) Share Through Inspiration.

If you follow that recipe you're bound to have a more fulfilling year!

I look forward to sharing our journey next year. So let's all...

Keep Going!

All the best,
~Craig





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Are people from Crete Creteans??

Here I am in Crete. It is a pretty cool island. It is a bit more difficult getting around, but far from impossible. Most people speak at least a little english and I have gotten very good at asking (in Greek) if they speak english. I walked around about 15 miles today. Into town, around town, to all (and I do mean all) of their museums, archelogical sights, some cafe's and town squares. I really didn't even get lost today. Wow, I must be making some progress. I met a couple English people (yes, people from England silly) we hung out until about 1am or so and talked about politics, troubled youth, the difference between the FBI, CIA, and Secret Service (don't ask, if I told you I'd have to kill you:), body guards, ccw laws etc. It was kinda of funny, most of the museums that I went to today were under construction and had only one exhibit open. Geeze, you'd think that they would have at least discounted their entry price, but noooooooo! Oh well. I at least had a real
Read more

What's Your Rosebud?

Image
  One of my favorite classic movies is: "Citizen Kane" It starred Orson Welles. [NOTE: spoiler ahead - if you haven't seen it] And, was about the life and legacy of a powerful newspaper publisher, based partly on the late William Randolph Hearst. The movie starts with Charles Foster Kane dying, with his last word being "Rosebud" — and the entire movie is this sort of question of what "Rosebud" is. Turns out it was simply the trade name of a cheap little sled on which Kane was playing on the day he was taken away from his home and his mother as a child. Welles revealed in an interview: "In his subconscious it represented the simplicity, the comfort, above all the lack of responsibility in his home, and also it stood for his mother's love which Kane never lost." The point? We All Have Our Rosebud That thing, moment, or whatever it is that anchors, drives, guides, or inspires you.  For example, the late Johnny Carson and the book of magic tr
Read more

You'll Never Guess What This Parrot Said!

Image
  The Parrot Three sons left home, went out on their own and prospered. Getting back together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly Mother. . The first said,  "I built a big house for our Mother." . The second said, " I sent her a Mercedes with a driver." . The third smiled and said,  "I've got you, both beat. You know how Mom enjoys the Bible, and you know she can't see very well. I sent her a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took 20 monks in a Monastery 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $5,000 a year for 10 years, but it was worth it. Mom just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it." . Soon thereafter, Mom sent out her letters of thanks: "Dearest First Son,"  she wrote the first son,  "the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but have to clean the whole house." . " Dearest Second Son,"  she wrote to another,  "I am t
Read more