Fear

For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Timothy, 1:7

One year ago, how many big-shot CEO's were winking at their secretaries, puffing on their cigars, patting each other on the back and admiring the size of their...profits? But now the party is over. The smoke has cleared, and so much of the wealth in which so many put their faith has been shown to be a vapor, an illusion. It wasn't lost. It never existed.

And now that the curtain has been raised on the whole charade, what leadership are we seeing from these mighty captains of industry? So far their bright ideas include, 'Cut jobs!', 'Cut spending!', 'Cut whatever you have to, just save my precious profits!'

Do they not realize that cutting jobs will just drive the economy further down? Do they not realize that cutting spending will only make things worse? They cannot see the bigger picture because they are consumed by fear.

Strange that these big men with fancy suits, sleek cars and mansions are suddenly so afraid. Where is their bravado now? They are the bosses. They are the leaders. But now, overtaken by fear, they are cutting back, drawing in, circling the wagons. Were they all just straw men with no guts? I suppose in tough times you get to see people for what they really are.

Now is a time for action! Now is a time for real men to rise up. Men with ideas! Men with courage! Men with ingenuity and skill! And women, naturally. (In fact, if women had been running the place...well that's another posting...)

Look, it's simple. If we all hunker in our bunkers, nothing is going to improve. We need to grow some collective testicles and turn this thing around.

Don't wait for the CEO's. Those foolish old white men have no new ideas. (They only ever had one.) They're not going to fulfill the Energy Revolution. They're not going to take a risk and start a new business. They're not going to write a novel, compose music or paint a mural.

Don't wait for Europe or East Asia either. We're the ones that can turn this around because we're the best. We're America. That means we're free. And that means we're strong.

Was 9-11 so long ago? Have we already forgotten those heroic words, 'Let's roll!' Those words meant much more than stopping the terrorists. They mean we don't sit around and wait for our destiny to be dealt out. We act. We move, and fast. And we get it done, whatever the cost.

We can do this, and in the face of our strength and courage and hopefulness and ideas and talent, fear will fade.

And as it does, you may even hear fear itself (with nowhere to go but cold oblivion) whisper in a shaky voice, 'I'm afraid.'

Then you can whisper back, 'I know.'

Art

Interesting that the most refined forms of combat are called martial arts...

Many similarities exist between martial arts and other forms of activity more typically thought of in terms of expressive art. Music comes to mind. The carefully controlled movements, the discipline, the heightened state of awareness, the attention to form, and the realization that all the diligent practice in the world will not negate the need for improvisation; these are just some of the obvious parallels.

Yet music and fighting are not the only examples. Any human activity that requires precision and excellence exists along this artistic spectrum. Ceramics, painting, calligraphy, writing, oratory, poetry, rap, singing, instrumental music, dance... and from dance, the leap to martial arts is not far at all.

But is there a disconnect? If the purpose in all those other art forms is to entertain and inspire, and the purpose of martial arts is defense and defeating the opponent, should they really be grouped together and considered along a single spectrum of creativity?

Ah, but what is the real purpose of those other art forms? Entertainment and inspiration are good, and true motivation is surely different for every artist, but the supreme value of art, martial or otherwise, is its capability when done right to harmonize our souls with God and with other human beings.

The destinies of different art pieces will vary far and wide. A painting may end up hanging on a wall in silence, whereas a song may resonate from mouths and radios and loudspeakers around the world. A cello piece may soothe the nerves, while a fast martial arts move may disarm an aggressive criminal.

Whatever the art's destiny, during the preparation and creation by the artist; walls come down, and a veil is pulled aside. For at least a moment, the soul of the artist becomes exposed and vulnerable, but as a result also capable of a heightened level of intimacy in its contact with other intelligences. This is frightening, but a worthwhile experience.