If we resist our calling, if we attempt to ignore it or push back against it, all we will find on the road ahead is pain.
When the pain of resisting the call is greater than the fears and insecurities that are keeping us back, we will take action.
We may not know why we are called to a certain path, but if we ignore the call, we will never find out.
So we must step out in faith.
The Way is only revealed along the way.
Passion is a fickle friend who will ultimately disappoint those who rely on it.
Passion comes, goes, and changes focus as it sees fit.
It is selfish, fleeting, and easily swayed when challenges arise.
Passion is an excuse for all manner of immature, irresponsible, and even hurtful decisions.
It overrides what we know to be true about ourselves, about others, and about who we know we are and want to be.
Passion is the enemy of reason, morality, and integrity.
It ignores the laws of cause and effect, and the consequences thereof.
Passion will abandon us once it has been satisfied, leaving only regret, remorse, and shame in its wake.
It is a distraction from the truth.
Passion pulls us away from ourselves, widening the divide between us and our hope for contentment and fulfillment.
It is a liar, a thief, and a trickster, promising to give us more than we have worked for, more than we have earned, and more than we deserve.
Passion, instead of the beacon of hope it claims to be, is better perceived as a warning that, if followed, will cause us to stray from the path of honor, meaning, and purpose.
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 and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.
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“Honor thy error as a hidden intention.“
—Brian Eno, Oblique Strategies
When we do creative work, we will make a lot of mistakes along the way.
At least that is how it will feel.
Our projects will not always come out the way that we wanted.
We will sometimes find it difficult to get our ideas out in a way that also gets our intentions across.
Our finished projects will often be far different than what we imagined we would create.
There will be a lot of false starts, a lot of failed attempts, and a lot of what will feel like errors along the way.
In fact, as we hone our craft, find our voice, and develop our own personal style, this is likely to be the case more often than it is not.
This is all part of the process.
However, something is only an error if we allow to be so, if we perceive it as such, and if we accept that there is nothing to be gained, gleaned, or learned from it.
Errors are only defined as such because they are a divergence from our initial ideas, goals, or intentions.
If it leads us somewhere worthwhile, though, the error becomes the path itself.
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 and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.
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Take the trip. Try new things. Do not wait.
Life changes quickly. Tomorrow is promised to no one.
Be brave. Take a chance.
Fear is an excuse. Busy is an excuse.
Conformity is cowardice. Procrastination is cowardice.
Embrace whimsy. Chase your dreams.
Every moment matters. Nothing is insignificant.
Your muse will not find you. You must seek it out.
Create your own inspiration. It is everywhere and it is inside you.
The world needs creativity. The world needs leaders.
Do not try to be someone. Do not try to be something.
Be yourself. Do something.
Uniqueness is a superpower. Do not forget who you are.
Be kind. Be understanding. Be generous. Be of service.
Collect experiences not things.
Not all relationships are healthy. Do your best.
Laugh more. Smile more. Play more.
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 and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.
Follow Robert Van Valkenburgh and Holistic Budo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.
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The ability to appreciate and rejoice in the tiniest details of our lives can be extrapolated out to an immense sense of gratitude for the bigger picture if we allow it to.
Sometimes life, with all of the complexity and challenges it presents to us from day to day, can become overwhelming.
There are times when it can be difficult to imagine how to overcome some of the trials and tribulations that come our way.
Unexpected tragedy may strike, we might experience troubles at home, problems with our health, or financial struggles that seem, from our present perspective, to be insurmountable.
Our burdens may feel like too much to bear.
Obstacles may appear to be blocking our every path forward.
At times like these, it may help to look closer, to hone in on one single detail, moment, or experience that brings or has brought us joy, to hyper-focus on this and to consider the beauty of it.
If even one thing can make us smile, can give us a sense of awe and gratitude, even if just for a moment, there is hope.
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 and Kogen Dojo where he teaches Taikyoku Budo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
All photos by Robert Van Valkenburgh unless otherwise noted.
Follow Robert Van Valkenburgh and Holistic Budo on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, and LinkedIn.
If you found this post helpful or meaningful in some way, please feel free to Share, Comment, and Subscribe below.
Meditations on God 