The past few days, I’ve been glued to the Bureau of Meteorology website, obsessively checking every update on the once-in-50-year cyclone hitting the East Coast of Australia. When I first heard it was going to be a Category 3 (super gnarly winds, with a side of mass destruction), I had a brief "poo-my-pants" moment. But then, chatting with the wife to work out what valuable stuff we should pack, we both had the same revelation: neither of us really cared if anything got destroyed. We don’t own much, and what we do own isn’t exactly worth robbing a bank for. Heck, we don’t even have home or car insurance (though that’s about to change quicker than a cyclone, haha).
The only thing I bothered to pack in a waterproof case was my external storage drives holding numerous years of Okinawan memories. So here I am (still in the middle of this whole cyclone ‘ordeal’), ready to watch my shiny, pimp-looking diamond necklace get launched into the cyclone's wrath without a second thought, but clutching my karate photos like they’re my newborn. Guess I’m just not materialistic or maybe I’m a little messed in the head.
Over the years, students have broken my sanchin pots, picture frames, weapons, mirrors - you name it, it's been wrecked. They always apologise and offer to replace everything, but honestly, I don’t need any replacements, and definitely don’t need any never-ending apologies. Like, “Yeah yeah, it’s fine, just get on with life ffs will ya?” What I care about is avoiding unnecessary stress, dramas, and dealing with things I don't think are worth dealing.
This cyclone has confirmed what I’ve always known: I don’t need stuff. I need peace. A drama-free life, to be exact. You know, the kind where I don’t have to dodge toxic extended family members, pretentious work managers, obnoxious karate people, or just shit humans in general. It’s easy to get bogged down by folks who demand attention, stir up chaos, or thrive on control. We all have that one person (or ten) in our lives.
So far, these three days stuck at home with the family have been the little peace break I needed. This cyclone has reminded me that material things come and go, but peace of mind is priceless. Stuff can always be replaced, but the energy we let into our lives? That’s something we can and should control - and definitely something I'm working on. So, if the worst happens and Alfy the Cyclone does its thing, I’ll take it as an opportunity to embrace the simplicity of life even more. Less shite, less drama- maybe even less dojo floors too. And sorry that this blog isn’t really karate-related… so on that note, I’ll just leave you with a big fat Osssssssssssssssssu Sensay!
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