GRATITUDE FOR ALL THINGS
I just returned from a wonderful one week stay in South Carolina where I reconnected with family I haven’t seen in quite some time. The trip was one that my brother and I had been planning every year for the past 5 years. Unfortunately, something would always come up and we could never make it happen. The trip didn’t disappoint. In spite of the super high tides we still caught some big fish and had a great time reconnecting with family. My uncle, a fish guide and writer, led the way.
Near the end of the trip, Collins Doughtie (our uncle) wrote a great article for the local paper The Island Packet (Check it out here). In the article he expressed how all the years of living in Bluffton, SC had somewhat caused him to take the place he calls home for granted. With the approaching elections and the stress of this crazy year, he had become stressed out. He went on to explain how the excitement that J.P. and I expressed at the beauty of this place reminded him how lucky he was to get to do what he loves with the people he loves. “Travis and JP both left saying they would never, ever forget this visit. That alone washed away all my stress and opened wide those half closed eyes”.
Practice, Practice, Practice
This article reminded me of myself. I am so blessed to get to do what I love every day. But even I am not immune to hedonic adaptation. Behind the smile that I usually sport during class exists a normal human being who gets stressed out, overwhelmed and even jaded at times. My recent injury (torn bicep), has reminded just how much I really love and depend on martial arts for my overall well being. Unable to train, I can think about little else I’d rather be doing. I LOVE JIU-JITSU!!! And I don’t think that more than 10 consecutive days have passed in the past 23 years where I wasn’t in a gi, training and sweating alongside my teammates. As disappointed as this is, I am reminded of the fact that I was lucky enough to find something I’m truly passionate about. And I should always be grateful. Much like jiu-jitsu, gratitude is a skill. Without practice, you simply won’t get any better.
So, while I’m unable to train much for at least a few more weeks, I am super thankful to have the opportunity to teach and share martial arts with my amazing students. I hope you share my sentiment and will take a few minutes every day to remember what you are grateful for. And if your body happens to be working fine and you’re not 3 weeks fresh out of bicep repair surgery, be sure to get to class tonight and seize the day!
Travis Tooke
4th Degree Black Belt
CEO Team Tooke Mixed Martial Arts
Author of Jiu-jitsu and Life