This is a note from Master Alan. Terry Pratchett passed away today at the age of 66, he is and likely will always be, my favorite author. He’s written a number of books over the years and has a way of writing people and crafting characters that I’ve always loved. It’s very difficult to describe or explain his writing style in any kind of useful way. It’s clever and witty, whimsical and yet very real. He writes about people with a genuine sort of optimism and wonder, while at the same time being cynical. Optimistic cynicism? I don’t know how to neatly summarize for the uninitiated*. It’s difficult to share some of my favorite quotes without spoiling books you might not have read. So I chose this quote, because it means a lot to me.
I like to think that our dojo is about more than punching and kicking. We are about community and positivity. But I think we are also about getting better as a person. Or helping people to become better people. Not that any of us are bad now, just that we are changing and growing and trying to improve. The martial arts is a constant journey of getting better, working on the little things and the big ones within the material. It’s not easy, not normally. Sometimes it’s hard and it’s a lot of work, but it’s not unpleasant. One of the goals of the martial art is to teach someone to be fully present in the moment, delighted but not surprised. Making sure life doesn’t just flash before your eyes.
Pratchett’s books may not be for everybody, I won’t pretend to tell anyone what they should or should not enjoy reading. But I’m happy to talk to you about some of my favorites if you find yourself interested in asking. There are only 40 of them, or so, I couldn’t pick just one as a favorite. But I could certainly help you get an idea of where to start.
*This footnote is for those of you that are fans of his work, I hope it made you smile.