Short video about world-wide refugees from the IRC: "Journeys"

http://www.theirc.org/journeys-video-flashhigh.html

"42 million refugees are on a journey

A journey of life or death
Safety or suffering
Freedom or oppression

A journey they were forced to take
By war and persecution

It begins in an instant
of violent threat
or devastation

It may take many years
Over countless miles
It spans countries
And generations

It has taken so much from them
Their homes
Their loved ones
Their most basic necessities
But what cannot be taken
Is their courage and will
To keep going on
To regain all they have lost
To reunite with family
To rebuild their communities

To reclaim their human rights
The right to learn
The right to speak
The right to work

They struggle and survive
Against all odds
Because they are strong
Because they are proud
Because dignity is never destroyed
Because even in the worst of crises
The best of humanity arises
With hope
And help

For 75 years
We have led the way
With a fierce commitment
Unswerving effectiveness
Bold compassion
Action
And advocacy
With skill
Care
And Daring
We come to aid
We stay to guide
Wherever needed
For as long as it takes
In 42 countries
and 24 US cities
Because the journey
Is not traveled alone
Or without help
Someone shines a light in the darkness
Another finds a way
On the greatest human journey
From harm to home

The journey starts with you."

Injuries

I have recently come upon several injuries that have severely altered my training. I have only recently begun to take this as a lesson. It is one that I am intensely grateful for.

The first injury within this series occurred as the result of a bicycle accident. On my way to Breakthrough early one rainy morning, my bike slid out. I was in the right lane of the road at a turn, and was hurtled forward into the left lane, directly in front of an oncoming car that thankfully stopped before colliding into me.

I quickly got up and went on my way, checking for injuries only after arriving late to work. I hurt my knee a bit, but more disabling, although I did not yet realize it, was the injury to my left hand. It was intensely bruised and swollen. It would prevent me from almost any training for a few weeks.

Soon following came the accumulation of unrelenting stress on my right shoulder. In my conditioning, I began too quickly putting inordinate burdens on my shoulders: handstand presses, pikes, hollow-backs, rais, ponte, walkovers, etc. I noticed a clicking in my shoulder but refused to relent. One morning I awoke to sharp pains restricting the range of motion in my right shoulder. Diagnosis: torn rotator cuff.

As I begin to recuperate, with elastic band rehabilitative exercises, I attempt to compensate by intensifying my leg training: parkour, pistols, jumps, kicks, etc. I begin to notice a slight twinge in my right buttock, especially when throwing kicks. I assume the injury is a bruise (wondering when I might have taken such an injury). Two days ago I am trying to fall asleep, when I notice the twinge has become more intense. This morning I rose to find the pain quite debilitating: I am unable to walk, sit, stand, or climb stairs without pain. Tentative diagnosis: periformis tear/strain.

Now I sit, aware of an upcoming batizado, wondering if I will be capable of performing...

So what do I take from this?

My training is unbalanced and inflexible. I try to fit in as many hours of training as possible into the day, and I am suffering the accumulated strains, wear, and tear.

The most salient mentality is one of rushing to attain a lofty vision or goal. Time is limited, I am aging. Regardless, it is of no benefit to rush. Take it slow. I realize now that in order to have a physiologically and psychologically sustainable practice, I need more balance and less rigidity.

I look forward to experimenting with this new approach.