Meditations on God

Changing Lives (Including Our Own)
Changing lives changes us.

We may know that we want to make a positive impact on people’s lives. We may even have some clear ideas as to how we are going to do that. We can execute our plan, controlling as many variables as possible, and begin changing lives and changing the world around us for the better. There is an unforeseen consequence to all of this, however.

As we work to improve the lives of others, our lives are inevitably affected as well. It is impossible to transmit kindness and compassion without opening ourselves up to receiving it in return. In order to truly serve others, we must have empathy and empathy requires vulnerability.

Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.

-Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body, Severna Park’s Holistic Chamber of Commerce, and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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September 23, 2019

change, compassion, empathy, love, service
Our Legacy Is Not Ours Alone
There is no such thing as an insignificant interaction.

We do not know the full extent of the impact that we are making on the lives of those around us. We cannot fully comprehend how every gesture, expression, word, and action reverberates and resonates through lives and across time. Once it leaves us, it belongs to the world, now and in the future.

The full effect of the things we do and say is hidden to us. No matter how trivial or insignificant we may feel a look, a comment, or a touch is, it leaves an impression on the recipient. It is stored away in the bodies and minds of those who experience it. It helps to shape who they become and how they act toward others.

We must ask ourselves then, what kind of legacy are we leaving on the lives of those we come into contact with and the people they will come into contact with? What will the history of our words, our actions, our facial expressions, and our body language be across time and space? Will we leave a legacy of smiles, graciousness, appreciation, and acceptance, or will it be something else?

Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.

-Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body, Severna Park’s Holistic Chamber of Commerce, and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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September 22, 2019

connection, history, impact, interactions, legacy, relationships
Become Who Others See
Sometimes, in order to know our own potential, we need another person to see past the limitations we think we have and tell us who we really are.

‘Airplane Man’ by Ana

We are more complex, more capable, and more powerful beings than we imagine. Often, our greatest limitations are those we place on ourselves, limitations based on our perception of who we are, what we are capable of, and who we can become.

Every once in a while, a person will enter our lives who looks right through our self-imposed limitations and sees our true capacity for love, for creativity, and for change. If we are fortunate enough to meet such a person, we can borrow their vision of who we are. If we are brave enough to face ourselves in this new light, we can actually become this better version of ourselves.

This will not be an easy process. The pull we will feel to go back to our old selves will be strong. Change is frightening and difficult. It is easier to embrace our limitations, to cling to them and let them hold us down, than it is to climb out of our own darkness and face our power and our light. We owe it to ourselves, however, and we owe it to those who see us for who we can be.

Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.

-Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body, Severna Park’s Holistic Chamber of Commerce, and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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September 21, 2019

capability, capacity efficacy, limitations, potential, power
The Voices of Doubt
If people who were not by your side when you started down your path are pointing you away from your path, perhaps the path is not the problem.

‘Autumn Trail’ by Ana

Not everyone has our best interest at heart and those who don’t may not even know it. The fact is that most of us are so blinded by our own opinions, fears, and agendas that it is nearly impossible for us to hear or see where another person is truly coming from or where they are trying to go.

There may only be one or two people in our lives who truly get us and who are willing or even able to encourage us or guide us in a useful way. Most opinions are simply the noise of people thinking their own fears and excuses out loud and projecting them onto us.

When it comes to where we are headed, especially if we are headed off the beaten path, we have to learn to be discerning with the advice we take and the voices we listen to. We have enough of our own fears, our own concerns, and our own worries that adding those of others is likely more of a hindrance than a help.

Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.

-Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body, Severna Park’s Holistic Chamber of Commerce, and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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September 20, 2019

doubt, doubters, life, persistence, the journey, the path, the way, vision
The Risk of Momentum
“The best rock ‘n roll is always on the verge of chaos.” -Unknown

‘The Note’ by Ana

When we gain some momentum in our lives, when we are moving full speed ahead without a care in the world, we are at our most confident and our most sure, but we are also at our highest risk for failure.

This does not mean we should tap the brakes. It doesn’t mean that we should check our rearview mirror. It does, however, mean that we should be mindful.

Speed can make us sloppy. It can make us arrogant. The faster we go, the harder we will crash if we make a wrong move and the farther we get off course if we take a wrong turn. If we slow down to avoid risk, we may never get where we are going or someone else may beat us there.

The secret is to move forward just fast enough that we can still pivot when needed, so that we can continue to move forward.

Holistic Budo: As it is in budo, so too it is in life. As it is in life, so too it is in budo.

-Robert Van Valkenburgh is co-founder of Taikyoku Mind & Body, Severna Park’s Holistic Chamber of Commerce, and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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September 19, 2019

chaos, failure, momentum, success

Changing Lives (Including Our Own)

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Our Legacy Is Not Ours Alone

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Become Who Others See

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The Voices of Doubt

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The Risk of Momentum

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