Debt to the Dead

The pace that life takes very often makes it challenging to be consistent at posting. The other challenge is to figure out what to write about. Often based on the training and martial arts I have experienced, the writings have been directly related upon that. 

Life is training. Everything I do has some relation directly to my passion of personal defense or martial arts. "Practice with the little things." as my teacher Phil says. It is a constant mantra. 

Today's blog is about life. I could pose a inspirational quote about life. There are many. 

Rather, this post will be a rambling of how precious life is. The responsibility of bringing life fourth onto this planet. Life, and the alternative, are all apart of that great circle. It could be over in the blink of an eye. Therefore, it needs to be lived to the fullest and not recklessly. 

The phase, "it's not fair" applied to a death doesn't make sense because life and death isn't about 'fair'. The question is just a reflex I think. Death isn't fair, life is fragile. 

There is not much one person can say to another who has lost a young loved one. Sorrow is heartfelt and prayers for the family is very much felt. 

The strengths that one needs to get through any tragedy and challenge is also a part of 'practicing with the (not-so) little things'. This the time that our faith is put to the greatest test. This is the time when one has to dig the deepest, accept grief as a part of their everyday life from that day forward. 

I lost a dear, close friend several years ago. There are still time when the grief surfaces as all out bawling. There are other days of simple melancholy. More often than not though, there is a consistent feeling of support. Even more so, more like a wanting to live a life of passion, enthusiasm, grabbing the bull by the horns, that she would want me to. "Don't waste it, don't waste your time in despair, anger, pity. Don't do that to me." She once came back to tell me. 

Every day of life I get to have, is entirely dedicated to being present in the moment and knowing I am living the best way I can, the best example I can be, the best attitude I can have. 

This one thing we owe to all those we have lost. 

Tragedy. The heart of grief.

I am not certain of how to start this post. The tragedy at West Wendover has ripped me up. It was tough to get out of bed today.

Not only because it has hit so close to home, but because it is a young life, who in one moment has her whole future, and is living carefree and hopeful.

Then violence strikes.

How do we prepare our youth for the future. We don't teach them skills that will keep them debt free by understanding the process of credit cards, percentages in applying it to every day consumerism.

We don't prepare them how to prepare a nutritious meal, or how to plan for a week's menu, nor how to shop, store or budget for it. How many households teach the kids living sharing it with a parent or adult, show their dependents any of this stuff. When those having kids are kids, without these skills how the hell do we expect the offspring to learn what the parent doesn't know?!

Neither does our rural youth know violence. Nor are they prepared. It is known more so than many realize, but when it is predatory is is a foreign concept.

How in the world can a good, young, uninformed person, or even one who has lived a life not affected by violence possibly comprehend predatory violence.

Predator: (n) an animal that naturally preys on others.

Predatory violence is exactly that, simply the hunt for prey. They want resources or they just like the process of the hunt. There is no rational rhyme or reason to those who cannot consider hunting for the kill, another human being.

It's like the spider you squashed, or the deer you got last season. Same indifference, except most people would not ever think of applying this indifference to other people.

There is no answer to "why". It isn't consoling to hear how awful the world and people can be. There is nothing that will give solace to this tragedy. NOTHING..

Except a drive forward to try to educate. Accurate, informative education so that other families don't have to go thru this.

Bullshit information will only set up illusions of safety with out having actual security.

This is not about physical abilities. It is about education and training of how to apply that education.

In a previous post, I mentioned feeling like Neo, who took Morphius' red pill, and realized he was far more into a rabbit hole than he knew he ever wanted to be. With no turning back.

Here I am.

That post was in relation to the violence dynamics training I recently attended.

One cannot unlearn.