New Year, New Resolutions

It's behind us. For me 2013 was filled with great joy and great sorrow. Overall, I'm thankful for what it has brought me.

The new year is already underway. This afternoon, aikido practice was centered on starting on the right foot, looking at the lessons learned from the past, the path I wish to follow, and the passions that will lead me astray.

If it's good for aikido, it's good for my life. 

Over the years, I've come to tackle more and more with what is sometimes called BS (I did not know Wikipedia had an entry on the topic). For which I prefer to use Gerald Cohen's nonsense presented as sense. In my world, arguments are key, and it's easy to slip when the things you find are important are being washed away. Some resort to nonsensical arguments. I see a lot of it when I get involved. People resist, but not always for sensical reasons. This as driven me nuts, and I close the year thinking that I'm spending too much time focusing on it.

For 2014, I will:

• acknowledge the presence of nonsensical argumentation, but not give it space or leverage. I will not dwell on it.
• act knowing about the nonsense, but deliberately moving in order not to engage it, yet achieve objectives that support a setting where sensical arguments have traction.
• answer nonsensical arguments not by engaging, but instead by respectfully asking clarifying questions.
• cultivate a positive and respectful approach, to reduce the chance that people resort to nonsensical arguments.

You might be thinking many different things reading those: "Good luck with that!" or "Welcome to the real world!" I agree, and yet, I am part of that world, and what I choose to emphasize or the actions I choose to take, all play a part in shaping that world. Every environment I operate in has its own culture. Culture is shaped with time, through the words and actions of the people that share it.

You may also be thinking (I know I would): "It's about time you do some of those things!" Truth is, I do already, as does probably everyone else. But then again, I don't. I mean, not with the right quality. Not the way I want. Too often, my passions drive me away from my objectives. For 2014, I will work on staying focus and remain on my path, channeling my passions.

Not sure how this will come out, but I’m excited.

Dear reader, any resolutions you wish to share?