Everything happens for a reason, but sometimes things happen because you are stupid and make bad decisions.
~ unknown
slip:4a63.
Bad decisions →
§5 – Moment to moment →
I reached section 5, and got stuck.
It’s obvious the key idea of section 5 is mindfulness. So I started by thinking about “mindfulness in Parkour practice.” But I wasn’t able to find a compelling thread to unify my thoughts. I came away from a few writing sessions with nothing of value. Eventually it occurred to me to circle back and reconsider my writing process.
I reread this whole series and — aside from, “Wow, I suck at writing!” — it struck me that I have been “unpacking” each of the first four sections. My process has been to sift each section for a key idea, and then simply spend time thinking about that specific idea:
What exactly does the idea mean?
Do I already know and understand the idea?
How does it relate to my Parkour practice?
What other areas of knowledge does it relate to?
But section 5 is already short and to-the-point and doesn’t need to be unpacked.
I’m so META Even This Acronym:
Stop the presses! It seems I have just discovered the concept of being mindful of the writing process. /sarcasm
Next up:
I am actually writing something about section 5 now that I have a different plan.
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Irises →
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lvpk →
hardly workin!
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Scaf changes →
Some scaf changes today. Always room for another stick…
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I am somebody →
I always wondered why somebody didn’t do something about that, then I realized I am somebody.
~ unknown
slip:4a45.
Point “B”; the me of tomorrow →
Over the last few years it seems I have — finally! — learned some key lesson about pace; the idea of enjoying the journey. The idea of focusing on what I can control. The truth that some of these projects I will not finish, some places I will not see, and some people I will not manage to spend enough time with. These ideas are patently obvious and unequivocal, but learning the Lesson, and deeply and truly making it part of your work-a-day life and personal philosophy takes effort.
When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.
~ Leonardo de Vinci
Years ago I started journaling as a form of self-reflection. It enables me to look back. Sometimes it’s a travel log, but mostly it’s a “this is what I was thinking” log, a glimpse at what I was working on, inspired by, or frustrated by. After a large amount of writing and thinking I gained enough perspective to start removing some things, and changing others. I learned to say ‘no’ to some things I would have taken on in the past, and learned how to rearrange other things to make more space.
I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on Earth. Then I ask myself the same question.
~ Harun Yahya ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adnan_Oktar )
But only recently have I found myself turning more often to look forward, rather than back.
What would the best possible version of myself do?
Walk the Earth with eyes turned skyward.
Point A to point B, efficiently.
Close the gap.
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Narcissus Poeticus →
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All the Kee Klamps →
More Kee Klamps… it’s much easier on the UPS guy this way; one can never have too many clamps
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§4 – Close the gap →
“What would the greatest version of myself do?”
I can think of no better personal compass than that simple question. I whole-heartedly agree with its sentiment; that exploring your own concept of “greatness” is the single most important thing you can do. Each of us will come to a different answer; potentially very different answers. But, the act of honestly exploring your own conceptions, and the act of self reflection, are what will move you in a positive direction.
I had already begun embracing this idea of seeking the greatest version of myself. As part of that effort, I took up a personal Oath which clearly reflects the idea.
What is Parkour?
Thibault’s section 4 is about seeking personal greatness and striving to constantly improve. That’s clearly a “big picture” goal involving one’s entire self. But we can also use this idea of “closing the gap” to investigate our every-day description of what Parkour is.
When asked, many people say that Parkour is about “efficiency”. They say that Parkour is about “moving efficiently” or “getting from A to B efficiently.” (“Quickly” is also used.) Alternatively, there are many people who dislike the “efficiency” description. Some prefer “personal expression through movement”, “pushing the boundaries of human movement”, or even simply “freedom”. There are many alternatives to the “efficiency” description, but it is undoubtedly one of the most dominant descriptions.
Where did I stand before reading this section?
If you practice Parkour, you will be asked (and often!), “What is Parkour?” I realized I would do well to have a one-sentence answer to that question. I’ve found that people are pleasantly surprised when I have a clear, one-sentence answer. Almost everyone asks further questions and a conversation about Parkour grows naturally from there.
My one-sentence answer is: Parkour is using challenges to improve oneself.
And now?
When I read Thibault’s section 4, it struck me that Parkour is exactly about “getting from point A to point B as efficiently and quickly as possible.”
Point “A” is here; the me of today.
Point “B” is there; the me of tomorrow.
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