Japan, Santa Fe & Noah’s Ark

Squibs and Blurbs

By Jerry Zimmerman

“We are all presented with moments when we may enlighten ourselves in all sorts of ways: reading a book, listening to a speaker, training in an art, following a teaching, hearing a conversation, contemplating our navels. For some, the call-to-arms rises from within, either slowly or abruptly and, though it often presents itself as a tidal wave of need, it is the rare person who DOES charge over the moat, pennant flying, teeth gritted, open-heartedly embracing the unknown world ahead.”—By Jerry Zimmerman 

TEANECK New Jersey—(Weekly Hubris)—8/4/2014—“The Way of the Warrior.” “Live strong.” “Go through life like your hair is on fire.” “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”

There are a million sayings to remind you to take control of your life, to be bold, to live every minute like it’s your last.

Sometimes, I hear one of these adages and I’m just touched, I have an ah-HA! Moment and I’m ready to breathe fire, rescue maidens in distress, and swing the gates of my life wide open—ready to GO!

These moments stay with me and, when I act on them in any way, even by changing some of the smallest details in my day or by simply being able to look at an attitude of mine in a new light, my life always changes for the best in the most amazing and surprising ways.

However, there are many times I just don’t get what that might mean for my life or I’m too busy to stop or I simply note the thought for a later day. These pearls of wisdom sound like great advice but, for some reason, I’m just not ready to act: hey, I’m busy over here!

We are all presented with moments when we may enlighten ourselves in all sorts of ways: reading a book, listening to a speaker, training in an art, following a teaching, hearing a conversation, contemplating our navels.

For some, the call-to-arms rises from within, either slowly or abruptly and, though it often presents itself as a tidal wave of need, it is the rare person who DOES charge over the moat, pennant flying, teeth gritted, open-heartedly embracing the unknown world ahead.

Recently, I have come face to face with two men (one via his book) who have reacted to their inner desire to change in the most stupendous ways.

One of these people is an Aikidoka, a person who studies the Japanese martial art of Aikido; the other is my youngest son.

Let’s start with W. T. Gillespie and his book, Aikido in Japan and the Way Less Traveled. In 1997, W. T. (no other name seems to be used by him) was a young and very successful trial attorney in Los Angeles, making $250,000. a year, with all the lifestyle benefits concomitant with that kind of income. At the time, W. T. had been a consistent and serious student of Aikido while carrying on the serious business of being an up-and-coming lawyer in California. However, to everyone’s surprise, except his own, he left his career, sold or stored almost all his possessions, and left for Japan to study at the world-famous Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, the International Headquarters of Aikido.

“What started off as a year sabbatical to study intensely, while living simply and essentially, turned into eight fantastic years in Japan and a 16-year-long life-changing, enriching adventure in East Asia that is still unfolding.”

Do I need to point out that his life was forever altered? That his hair probably was “on fire” for the duration?

Much closer to home, my son Noah also took a big, big chance, emulating his biblical namesake by embarking on a grand journey, albeit in a Toyota pickup instead of a large boat, thankfully without all the animals.

For 17 years, Noah had been living in California (something must be in the water out there). He is an accomplished Audi car tech and had a long-time position as a senior mechanic at a successful car dealership. He was living by himself, working hard, pursuing his interests, and enjoying his own happy Northern California lifestyle.

Four months ago, I received a call from Noah during which he shyly announced that he had given notice at his job, was selling or storing most of his belongings, and heading back East to see what he might do next. Deja vu, W.T. Gillespie!

I was surprised, but certainly not unhappy, since there was a chance that he might end up living much closer to me. More to the point, I was seriously impressed: his stated reason for the move was a firm, “It just feels like it’s time to change my life.”

If you have the sense that you simply must uproot yourself from your familiar, comfortable and stable life to see what’s next, and then you DO it, well, who can argue with that kind of resolve and bold action?

Later, Noah shared that, after starting his mysterious journey, he still had many doubts and fears that he might be making a mistake. His gutsy action turned out to be its own reward.

Noah’s plan was to take a couple of weeks off and drive across country, seeing the sights and visiting some old friends along the way. One of those old friends lives in Santa Fe, and happened to have a young woman guest staying with him. Before Noah’s New Mexico stay was over, five days later, he was madly in love with his fellow guest, and she was madly in love with him. Naturally.

Noah did make it back East for a couple of weeks but, at this very moment, he is excitedly roaring back to Santa Fe to continue his adventure with the new light of his life.

Another life forever altered? Of course!

As Sally, my girlfriend and de facto coach, often tells me, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

As the Japanese say, “Doing is a mistake; not doing is a big mistake.”

Go do it.

Note: The first image lighting up this column derives from http://www.valuesbasedleader.com/the-two-most-important-days-of-our-lives/.