Latest Entries
Terrorism will never be an answer.
In May 2013 a 2 minute video I posted via Facebook received over 82,000 Likes and 122,000 shares. It was a news story of an Imman from London, Ajmal Masroor, speaking out against the terrorists that killed Lee Rigby in Woolwich, London. A week later I’ve learned some very important things about our world.
Real Life, Real Stories… with Steve Rowe
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 49:53 — 45.7MB) | Embed
There were two things that prompted me to ask Steve Rowe if I could interview him. The first, his passion for doing the same thing for over 40 years. The second, his humour in facing the prospect of having his leg amputated.
I had two questions. How can you be so passionate about something for so long and how can you laugh at such adversity. So in my car I went to Kent to meet this 8th Dan martial arts master and self professed ‘nutter’.
Steve met me, struggling on crutches after the umpteenth treatment to fix his leg after a catalogue of medical misfeasance, cheery and welcoming. We ate, we talked and I recorded a podcast.
His story, no, love affair borne out of necessity to deal with violence in his early life, the need to find a direction and a taste for something exotic is extraordinary. Forty years later, a pile wiser, living the life he loves, he takes the proverbial out of something that could stop him doing what he’s still so passionate about.
This is a podcast for everyone, no martial arts experience necessary, and his story and lessons learned offer much insight and inspiration to all.
More information: http://shikon.com/
Steve Rowe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shikonboss | Steve Rowe on Twitter: @shikonboss
How one man changed the world
Mohamed Bouazizi is a name that few know. Just a apple seller in a Tunisian market refusing to accept corruption any more. He set himself on fire as protest when the authorities refused to do the right thing. What followed this was the Arab Spring where oppressed people stood up and said that their voices should be heard. You may never have heard of him but his actions sparked a revolution. One man who stood and said enough is enough. One man that changed the world.
http://www.time.com/time/
Grateful
For the past eight weeks getting out of bed hasn’t been easy. I didn’t know what they day would bring until I would turn and place my foot on the floor. At that point I knew it would be OK and without to much pain or more times than not, a battle with sciatica and at times excruciating pain. At times it gets me down for just walking on the bad days is hard and I love to run. That said the OK days become better than that because I appreciate them more. Its not until the things you take for granted break and upset the apple cart that you take a moment to think you should be thankful. I’ve heard two stories today of people saying if only I had thought, if only I had the opportunity, if only I knew at the time. Taking time to take stock of the half full cup always brings a smile and I’d rather raise half a cup high than peer into a cup half empty. It feels better that way.