Hurricane Musings

Hurricanes are part of life when you live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.  Fortunately, the Pacific is named the Pacific because it is a relatively calm and balanced ocean.  While I have sympathy for those that are impacted by hurricanes that are generated in the Atlantic, I usually count my blessings for not living there.  The east coast of North America has all the humidity, rain and severe weather without the cooling trade winds of the Hawaiian Islands.


However, since New Orleans is on the schedule for a conference in a couple of weeks, I'm tuning into the weather happenings a little more closely.  I'm selfishly hoping that Isaac does its thing gently and that there is a reprieve for the 10 days I will be in the hurricane zone.  September is generally the month, whether Pacific or Atlantic, for destructive hurricanes although there are exceptions to this.

There are certain things in our lives that we really have no control over and weather is one of them.  We can be prepared and informed to make the best decision about our safety and survival but we are unable to overlay any control over Mother Nature.  This is true for forest fires.  I heard on NPR a while back a discussion by some expert suggesting that we would benefit by looking at forest fires as naturally occurring events, much like hurricanes, instead of always trying to prevent and control them.  Fires are just another way that the planet cleans and renews itself.  At least that is one way to look at it.

We hear the term "fight" frequently when there is discussion about changing or stopping things that happen to otherwise innocent people.  "Fight cancer", "fight illiteracy", "fight bullying".  I find the term of "fight" to be way off base of what really needs to happen to invoke the desired change.  Are we putting up are fists and beating down cancer or would we be better served discovering the source of the mutation and doing things to correct and cure the cause?  The image of "fight" is very powerful and helps one feel like they gain strength in the goal of creating different outcomes but it is an illusion.  We need to understand the source, the needs and interests in order to create a lasting change.

While we cannot control weather and many of the things that happen to us, we can control how we react.  As a society, we can invoke change only by investing in understanding the causes of things.  When we are talking about people and conflicts that they are faced with, this means taking the time to understand all parties interests and needs, and working together to create a collaborative solution.  What are the needs of Mother Nature?  I can't exactly speak for her but keeping soil healthy and fertile to support growth would seem like one need.  Hence, forest fires help to remove undergrowth and open up light passages for endemic plants to grow.  Not so sure what the needs are related to hurricanes, though, but there must be some purpose and need?

The term "fight" automatically puts up a barrier.  Let's put down the imaginary fists and start looking at what the underlying issues are and work from there.  Invite all parties to the table and give a voice to those that don't have one (such as children and Mother Nature).  Work together and see what solutions can be generated in collaboration.

Motivation and Sweat

As some of you may or may not know, I teach a Spin class at the local YMCA once a week.  Spinning is the licensed program name for a group class workout on a stationary bike to music that is lead by an instructor.  The bikes have the ability to adjust the tension on the flywheel helping to simulate hills and flats.  According to the training manual, there are 5 sanctioned positions on the bike:  seated flat, standing flat/jog, seated climb, standing climb and jumps.  Other instructors may get a bit more creative than me, but I tend to follow the guidelines of Spinning and keep to those 5 basics.  Interjected in there are also plays with resistance and speed; tools to help build up endurance, challenge and strengthen the cardiovascular system.

When Spinning first game to the Y, I refused to join the "crowd".  All attempts at cajoling me to participate were resisted.  I was very happy listening to my iPod and catching up on People Magazine on the treadmill and elliptical.  I got my sweat on and heart rate up!  I dutifully lifted weights where I strengthened and toned muscles and built up my metabolism.  Besides, from the magazines I would sweat on, I picked up tips (how to get shoulders like Gwyneth Paltrow, abs like Halle Berry) and apply them to my workout.  One day I accidentally saw my reflection in the locker room mirror and realized that I needed to do more.  However, I lacked motivation.  Sharing this with a friend one day, we realized that we needed each other.  She loved Spinning and I loved weights.  We scheduled 3 days a week to meet for both a Spin class and weight room time.  My workouts took on a level of accountability because my friend was counting on me to show up and I didn't want to disappoint.

The partnership didn't last long but my love and appreciation of Spinning did.  Fitting into clothes and cringing less in the locker room mirror were motivation enough for me.   Eventually being a student wasn't enough; I wanted to control the music and motivate students so I took the certification training and became an instructor.

Combining two things that I love, Spinning and coaching, were a natural fit for me.  As a coach, whether for AYSO, the YMCA or in my conflict resolution work, the focus is on the athlete or client.  It isn't about me.  My role is to motivate and help the individuals be successful in meeting their own goals.  I help them to stay focused and use the steps to get them there.  As a student, I tend to avoid coaches that yell and belittle to motivate; that doesn't work for me.  I want someone who creates the environment and opportunity for me to be successful.

What are some of the goals?  Well, a 10 year old soccer player may have the need to overcome goal keeping fears or make new friends.  A Spinner may have the goal to lose weight or escape from reality for an hour.  A client may have the goal of increasing revenues by 2% or creating a conflict management system.  My role as coach is to facilitate the process that makes each participant able to achieve what they see as a valuable goal for them.  If you are in my Spinning class, you can also count on being motivated by the driving beat of an 80's song!

What are your goals and who motivates you?

Fear and Hope

It is the middle of summer, yet here in Hawaii, the yellow buses are rolling and the kids are already in their second week of school.  Before you think that our summers are short, I assure you that they are not as students are out of school before Memorial Day.  For those that are returning to UH Maui College, myself included as a 4th semester lecturer, we have a little over a week before students return. This year I will be looking for a familiar face on campus:  my oldest son!

Summer is also time for the summer movie blockbusters.  This trend means more guns, shooting and violence sometimes disguised behind the mask of a hero or otherwise.  The tragic event that occurred in Aurora was the event that finally pushed me over the edge of tolerance for thinking that Hollywood's constant stream of weapons, power and violence are somehow entertaining.  I say, "no more".  I must confess to seeing the final Batman movie and enjoying it.  To me there is more to the character of Batman, a real dark side that is both tragic yet hopeful.  Bruce Wayne is a prime example of someone who can afford it all but still is conflicted and unfulfilled.  I also have a crush on Christian Bale who is by far my favorite actor to don the amazing bat suit.  Anne Hathaway did justice to the Catwoman role as well.  Gave a sense of lightness to an otherwise dark movie.

But I digress.  I have decided that I have personally had enough of the violence.  I feel like there is enough stress and violence in our world and that taking an afternoon or evening to "escape" to the movies is no longer an escape if it is filled with tyranny, power and attempted resolution through violent actions.  I want to feel hopeful and relaxed.  Not stressed and shocked.  The animated movies are starting to look more attractive.  

The one thing that I do appreciate from these movies is the hope factor.  There is always hope for the underdog otherwise we wouldn't go to the movie.  In real life, we have this same hope.  As a democracy, we still hope to bring change and correct injustices that we see and experience.  We have seen nations create movements that were started by the acts of a few; the most recent event is going on right now in Russia with the 3 women of Pussy Riot protesting Putin's power as he enters his third term.  More specifically they were challenging the church and state relationship.  These 3 women have sparked both fear and hope in their country.  While their physical freedom is at jeopardy, their "inner freedom" remains their own.

The hope for our kids on the yellow school buses is that by attending school each day, they will advance to the next level and be that much closer to becoming an adult.  The hope of the underdog in the summer blockbuster is that good will overcome evil or that they will die trying for the good of all mankind.  What brings you hope?