Author: Shawn

I am a practitioner of the martial arts and student of the Buddhist faith. I have been a Type 1 Diabetic since I was 4 years old and have been fighting the uphill battle it includes ever since. I enjoy fitness and health and looking for new ways to improve both, as well as examining the many questions of life. Although I have no formal medical training, I have amassed a wealth of knowledge regarding health, Diabetes, martial arts as well as Buddhism and philosophy. My goal is to share this information with the world, and perhaps provide some sarcastic humour along the way. Welcome!

Oodles Of Appreciation…

The holidays can be a really fun time of year. Enjoying a spread of food you may not usually make, including baked goods, seeing family and friends and potentially travelling a bit (for those who are brave enough to try it, at the moment). Depending on your familial and faith-based background, your celebration may differ in some ways but I think we can all agree that the average person has a tendency to enjoy the holidays, even if for no other reason than getting some time off and being at home.

The “hows” and “whys” for that enjoyment have changed over the decades. I remember making my way through the Christmas break as a child… My mother would bake a mass amount of food, including sweets and meal-based foods. We almost ALWAYS hosted Christmas at our home, despite growing up in a reasonably small apartment. Between my illnesses and my brothers and my father working shift work, my mother was left with all of the preparations as well as worrying whether or not one of us would need a hospital trip over the break.

The big thing is that I didn’t have a care in the world, back then. I indulged in as much food as my body could hold (despite the fact carb-counting wasn’t a thing for me and my Diabetic system was terribly balanced), I watched Christmas movies, including National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Die Hard. Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Yes, it is… YES, IT IS!!! Ahem, I’m getting off track here. My point is that my biggest concern was staying up late enough on Christmas Eve to make it in Christmas and/or get through midnight mass (my mother is Catholic and attendance was a must).

Enjoying the holidays through adulthood becomes a very different kind of creature. Besides worrying about the state of one’s household, including bills, job retention and the state of the world, it’s a pretty fair assumption to say that many if not most can’t enjoy the benefits of having no cares as they make their way through the holidays; a fact aggravated by the aspect that once you reach adulthood, you’re the one paying for all of those lovely gifts under the tree. It makes quite a difference. It also becomes a matter fo the household turning into a disaster area as it gets bogged down with stray wrapping paper, cardboard and packaging that swarms our bins a week earlier than pick-up and kids who refuse to eat because they’re too excited to play with the new swag they’ve acquired.

Don’t even get me started on the FACT that it creates an added amount of stuff in the household. I’ve always been something of a minimalist, and increasing the amount of junk we have in the household does not for a pleasant holiday, make. But there’s no denying that the look of sheer happiness on my sons’ faces as they opened up their gifts was heartwarming. My oldest son left out a “bowl of cookies and milk” for Santa, a benefit I never had since my belief in the red, fat man never took hold as a child.

I have a deep and distinct gratitude for everything my parents did for us throughout the holidays. Now that I have the adult’s perspective, I can certainly appreciate the time, money and effort that goes into the holidays. And we don’t even host our entire family the way my parents did. Life was a bit different back then, since most households included one stay-at-home parent, but I can’t imagine that made it THAT much easier, especially considering the handful I was as a child. I’m grateful to my parents for everything they did for us back then, and it allows me a bit of perspective as my children grow up. Take time to thank your folks for the things you DID have during the holidays. I know, I will. Food for thought… ☯️

You Gotta Want It…

It’s a bit ironic that I’m writing this post on a Monday, since I took this week off. While most people tend to focus taking time off during the week of Christmas, my wife and I took this week off, keeping us at home during the week leading up to New Year’s. The reason I say it’s ironic, is because this post was prompted by a conversation I had at work. I was chatting with one of my employees about the fact that everyone is good at SOMETHING, but that the path they walk will ultimately be different. Even if two people train to master the martial arts, the environment, conditions and motivation behind doing so will differ.

This is important because in life, there will be things you will be good at and some things that you’ll basically suck at. And the latter part is okay. No one is meant to be absolutely fantastic at everything and the ones who say they are, are not only lying to themselves, they’re lying to everyone to whom they say it. I’m not saying that there won’t be some people who won’t have a natural tendency to be good at things in general. I’m referring mostly to achieving some mastery over a particular thing. For example, most people don’t know that I tried a variety of martial arts styles before I landed on karate.

Some of those styles were very good, in their own way. But if I based my decision to pursue the martial arts based on the results of those attempts, I never would have gotten to where I am now. I still remember my first visit to a Tae Kwon Do class and realizing that I had neither the skill, ability or motivation to go spinning through the air like a top to land a kick. Even at the young age I was, I couldn’t understand why they didn’t just kick in a more straightforward manner instead of trying for all the high-flying fanciness… but I digress…

One can’t be good at everything. And that’s okay but it’s something you have to make your peace with. You have to be okay with it. Because the time you spend pining over what you may have realized you’re not good at, could be time used to pursue and achieve things that you ARE good at. That would be a terrible waste and even the things that you may be good at, need to be pursued and strived for. None of it will ever happen on its own. So push hard and be okay with your failures; they’re al part of the journey. Food for thought… ☯️

I Feel Like I’m 19 Again!

Not literally… If I actually felt like I did when i was 19, I’d be out there taking on the world instead of sitting in front of a keyboard at this hour, typing a blog post. instead, I rather feel like a hundred mousetraps going off at once when I rise in the morning and I’m still trying to explain how gravity seems to pull harder at my body for the first ten minutes of my morning or until I get that first, sweet kiss of caffeine. But I digress…

I was never one for drinking in my teen years, having consumed my first beer at the tender age of 23. The legal drinking age in Canada is 19, for those who may be from another country. Always the steadfast designated driver, it was hilarious for me to watch friends and counterparts try to purchase alcohol without presenting valid ID or using a fake one. You see this in movies as well, with a protagonist awkwardly and nervously walking up and trying to sound older while showing a fake ID in the hopes of walking out with a prized case of beer. Classic.

In later years, you’ll usually start hearing people say they miss being “carded,” or asked to show ID for things. Just recently, I saw a younger person (younger than me) get carded for the purchase of cigarettes at my local convenience store and they were flattered by the fact that the cashier thought they looked young enough to require being carded. The person was apparently of legal age (or had a fake ID), but it struck me that most people often feel a sense of disappointment that they’ve reached a point in their lives where they no longer NEED to prove that they aren’t too young.

This is why I find it entertaining that proof of vaccination and valid ID are required for most non-essential locations one tries to enter, these days. I can’t speak for everywhere but here in Saskatchewan, one needs to show proof of vaccination and valid matching ID for liquor stores, restaurants and a host of other locations, much to the dismay of many who feel they shouldn’t be obligated to do so. To each their own, I guess. People forget that they don’t HAVE to shop at specific locations and they don’t HAVE to attend or participate in events that stick you in the middle of large crowds.

What’s unfortunate is seeing how some grown-ass people react in the face of being asked to present these things. Besides the fact that you can go online and find videos from just about every conceivable source of people losing their absolute minds over the matter, which is ridiculous for a grown adult, one should know to pick their battles and be aware of what hill is worth dying on. I know that for the most part, when I’ve been asked for proof of vaccination and valid ID, I usually joke about how I was never carded at an age where I should have been so life is making up for it, now.

Humans are special creatures, to say the least. In a world of immediate gratification and entitlement, it’s amazing to see how many people are willing not only to suffer for their choices but cause suffering in others. It’s genuinely unfortunate. Hopefully, the year that comes will be better than the previous two. ☯️

Safe & Happy Holidays…

No complicated narrative or explanations about anything in depth, today. Just a straight-up good old fashioned Merry Christmas. That’s right, I’ll be one of THOSE… I know the common practice in modern times is to wish folks “Happy Holidays,” but today is Christmas so I’m saying Merry Christmas. With that in mind, I’ll also wish everybody Happy Holidays, Happy Hanukkah and all the best in the New Year to come.

Have safe and comfortable holidays. I wish nothing but comfort and happiness to all my readers and their families. With any luck, the previous year’s woes will evaporate as the New Year unfolds and there will be better things waiting, just around the corner. Take care of each other and keep reading. ☯️

A Little Patience And Kindness Pays For Itself…

Sometimes I find it hard to believe that it’s been almost two years since the pandemic started and changed the face of the world forever. in some ways, many ways, the pandemic has allowed people’s true colours to rear their ugly heads. People allowing their sense of entitlement and their perceived rights to interfere with doing “what’s right,” and as a result, this whole thing has lingered for far longer than it should have.

I’m not here to advocate for vaccination. Not am I saying a person shouldn’t. But what i am saying is that it’s 2021 9soon to be 2022) and the population should be far more enlightened by this point than what they are. Society has divided itself in ways that haven’t been seen in recent memory, at least here in Canada. So on the eve of one of the most widely recognized holidays on the Gregoria’s calendar, allow me the indulgence of moment’s reflection and advice.

Be kinder to each and have some understanding. Everyone is scared. Everyone is worried. And everyone is mostly trying to do what they feel is best for themselves and their families. I’ve yet to encounter a person who is intentionally taking a stance on one side or the other for the intentional purpose of sowing dissension. Oh, I’m sure they’re out there. I’m simply saying that it’s wrong to assume that the neighbour who chooses NOT to be vaccinated is intentionally trying to bring harm to others, or the retail store employee requiring you to put on a mask is trying to ruin your day.

Everyone is trying to do their best, even if sometimes misguided or misinformed. And for those still braving the wilds of the outside world, the challenges are greater still. So, on the eve of the second Christmas where the world is at a standstill and many of us are far from our families and loved ones, take this opportunity to reflect and appreciate the most important aspect about this whole debacle: YOU are still here. Life is still taking place and there’s still so much to do, so show some empathy. Show some sympathy. Follow the rules and avoid causing suffering in yourself and others. only with those concepts in mind can the world begin to move forward. Food for thought…☯️

It’s Nice To Be Nice…

I was never much of a fan of M.A.S.H. growing up, considering it to be somewhat boring and depressing. I know it was an incredibly popular show back then, with the finale sparking tears and joy as the series came to an end. But one thing that stood out was when major Frank Burns uttered the line, “It’s nice to be nice.” The irony is that I think I’d love to sit through the series now, viewing it through adult eyes as opposed to a bored kid with ADHD. But I digress…

The quote in the title is one that’s followed me all my life. My mother used to say it all the time, whether she gleaned it from the aforementioned series or otherwise. And I can easily say that my mother is undoubtedly the nicest person one could meet, so she often encourages others to do the same. But is it possible to be TOO nice? For most, the argument would be that you can always be nicer and in some cases, that may be true. The issue is when being nice leaves you vulnerable to people who would take advantage of it.

Maybe it’s the winter weather, the time of year or just the fact that I’m unnecessarily reflecting on things that have happened in recent years, but being nice has often bitten me in the ass. For the most part, I always treat people as nicely as I can, until I’m given a reason to do otherwise. Some good examples include individuals asking for a favour than becoming aggressive about it in terms of when/how you’ll complete that favour. I’ve unfortunately had a couple of those in recent months.

The biggest example are the work-related difficulties that struck me in early 2018. COVID-19 wasn’t a thing yet and I was at the top of my respective game. I was working regular hours, making a decent salary and doing work that I loved. Little did I know that being nice in the way I did would bring it all crashing down. How was that possible? Well, buckle up because I’m gonna bitch about it…

I’ve always prided myself on the fact that I wasn’t there to make people’s lives more difficult. As a result, i allowed myself a level of understanding, empathy and friendliness that was never echoed by my counterparts. Although this sounds like an ideal scenario, it led to a number of problematic factors. As a result, it left me vulnerable in some very specific ways and someone chose to take advantage of that vulnerability. To this day, I honestly don’t know what this person was trying to achieve or what they hoped to accomplish.

My point, and believe me when I say I’m not trying to be morose this close to Christmas, is that the world is not a place where vulnerability is rewarded or left alone. It’s nice to be nice but not at the cost of one’s life and/or livelihood. And the harsh reality is that for every person who’s nice, there are several who will seek to take advantage of them for doing so. Sad but true.

Be nice? Absolutely. Believe in the value and worth of that kindness you’re imparting by being nice? Certainly. But protect yourself. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable. Make sure that while you’re being nice, that you ensure that you don’t allow the option for someone to take advantage of your kindness. Food for thought…☯️

It’s Hard To Be Humble…

These days, it seems that the difference between being humble and being confident has been muddied to an extreme point. Many if not most seem to believe that being too confident means you can’t be humble and/or vice-versa. I’m not entirely sure that’s true. But in a world of attendance trophies and no-person-left-behind scenarios, it makes sense that people can forget the importance of being humble; albeit while allowing themselves to know their own self-worth.

Depending on what religious text you’re reading, humility (or the act of being humble) is defined as recognizing your place in relation to a grander design or deity. That is to say, acknowledging and knowing that you are bit one spec on a very big marble. Humbling, indeed. Most traditional dictionary definitions are no better, associating being humble with a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance. I rather like to think that humility is the ability to see beyond oneself and recognize that it isn’t all about me. There’s a great, big world out there and although my wants, needs and expectations are important, it would ignorant of me to assume that the world will grind to a halt to accommodate them.

I also recognize that I sometimes need to show respect and deference to those who are in a position of authority, even when they may not be correct; a task that is most difficult and sometimes impossible for most, especially if they’re hidden behind the protective veil of a keyboard. But to be clear, being humble doesn’t mean one needs to grovel before others or lower their eyes in someone else’s presence. The big problem is that the average person never seems to realize that one can be humble but still be confident.

Confidence can be easily described as knowing the worth of one’s own accomplishments and skills. Not to be mistaken with bragging, confidence becomes a negative thing when it dominates a personality, meaning that one will put too much stock in those accomplishments and ultimately face a potential downfall because of it. But confidence on its face is something everyone should have and everyone should acknowledge.

Where humility and confidence meet is in being able to acknowledge one’s accomplishments and trust one’s knowledge and skills WHILE being humble enough to exercise those aspects under the radar. You really can’t have one without the other. To have no confidence but still be humble means that you’ll prostrate yourself to others ad nauseam, which is never a good look for anyone.

To have confidence, or too much thereof, without humility means it may potentially be your downfall. You’ll be one of those jerks who walks around with their chest puffed out, bragging about you or prowess in one thing or another… In my experience and in martial arts circles, it’s usually the ones who brag how well they can fight that are the most easily defeated. This concept applies to life in general. Be confident in yourself and what you can do but be humble enough not to brag about it or assume you’re better than others. After all, no matter how strong, fast or smart you are, there’s always a bigger fish. Food for thought…☯️

You Don’t Know What You’ve Got ‘Til It’s Gone…

Recently, I wrote about how I discovered that my medical insurance only covered about $1,000 of Diabetes medical equipment. This means that in a calendar year, my insurance will only cover three to four months worth of reservoirs, infusion sets and CGM. Basically, anything tangible that isn’t medication. Towards the end of November, I made the decision to save a few bucks by burning through my stocked supplies by using my extra Freestyle Libre sensors, even if they don’t communicate with my insulin pump and won’t make micro adjustments. this means that I spend much less time “in range.”

Despite the handiness of the Freestyle Libre, I’ve come to realize over the past month that I’m dependent on CGM and the SmartGuard system. Having a programmed insulin pump that regulates my insulin and blood sugar levels for the majority of my day and keeps me within a healthy range is something that I’ve gotten far too used to and that I’ve also taken for granted. I finally knuckled under last week and paid out of pocket for a box of CGM sensors so that I could start back on SmartGuard and have the pump take over management of my blood sugars.

In some ways, a lot of ways, I’m disappointed in myself. I’ve only been on an insulin pump for about six years and on CGM for about two years. Prior to that, I managed my blood sugars and kept myself alive through my own, direct, hands-on efforts. So it catches me a bit by surprise and disappoints me that I’ve become so dependent on a piece of technology to keep the groove going. But I’ve noticed something important during the four to five weeks I’ve been without CGM; I have been feeling like absolute, unfiltered shit. And it’s lead me to ask an important question: Is this what Diabetics always feel like?

I should probably explain. I was diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes when I was only 4-years old. During the first five to six years, I suffered through all the typical complications that one would assume; hyper and hypoglycemic episodes, mood swing, Diabetic Keto-acidosis and even living through a few comas, one that lasted almost a week. Luckily for me, I suffered no brain damage from any of these (at least that I know of) and by the time I reached the age of 10, I took control of my own health and Diabetes and joined karate. This was the turning point that would ultimately save my life and bring my health to the forefront of my daily routine.

The bottom line is that since the age of 10 when I took control of my own destiny, I’ve struggled and fought my way through a number of obstacles in the past three decades. But the reality is that I’ve had it pretty smooth. I had the benefit of staying in good health, clean nervous system, clean cardiac system and I still have all of my toes and appendages. I’m afraid I can’t say the same of all the Diabetics I know. But how I’ve been feeling recently since coming off of CGM, I’ve come to understand how fragile the balance I’ve built has actually been

Compulsive sweats, varied teeter-tottering from low to high blood sugars and the opposite, lack of sleep, restless legs and random pains, twitches and mood swings… It all sounds a little too much like my teen years. And we all know how much of a bastard I was back then! Well, most of you likely don’t know, since you weren’t there. But I’m sure that any readers who remember me from my childhood could attest to the fact that I wasn’t QUITE as pleasant as I am now. Yes, I’m tooting my horn. Just let me have it…

My point is that I’ve been through the Diabetic trenches and came out better than most. Some of it was determination, some was competent doctors and some of it was sheer force of will, refusing to let my life be forfeit without some attempt at control. And of course, some of it was basically dumb luck. Back then, if you’d asked me if I felt worse than the average person, I would have said no. Because I didn’t know better. As the years have melted away, treatments and how I live my life have continued to grow and improve.

Because of these improvements, my quality of life has continued to improve and once I came to be on the insulin pump, my life changed for the better. Once I included CGM, it became even better still as I enjoyed the benefits of the best A1C readings I’ve had in over 20 years. But all of that came crashing back down and I lost it all as I came off of SmartGuard and CGM. As some of you may have read in previous posts, I often make a point of being pretty harsh against the use of modern technology, despite the fact that some of it is keeping me alive. But I will humbly admit and agree… CGM and SmartGuard makes a measurable difference in the life of a Type-1 Diabetic.

I’ve been back on the Guardian 3 Sensor and SmartGuard for almost a week now, and have been enjoying stable blood sugars, better sleep and improved health. I essentially no longer feel like shit. And that’s saying quite a bit. I’m a firm advocate that all things happen for a reason. As much as it pisses me off that a newly-joined health plan doesn’t cover the very equipment that’s keeping me alive, I think that it’s taught me a very important lesson about my Diabetes care and how I approach it. Ignoring technology and its advancements is no longer an option. ☯️

A cold Thoughts On A Frosty Monday…

I get to climb into a frigid vehicle in an hour or so and make my way to Saskatoon for eye injections. Again.As much as I’d like to bitch about those injections and be bitter about them, they keep me from going blind, so I can’t complain TOO much. No, the focus this morning will be in being prepared for the road during winter conditions.

People will travel, no matter what the situation. Hell, look at how many people are still foolishly jamming themselves into a contained metal tube with recycled air to fly around to different places. Given the pandemic, this is likely the dumbest thing one could do at the moment. But, hey… Have lack of intelligence, will travel… But I digress.

Now that I’m off my soapbox and can focus appropriately, let’s discuss how one can ensure they’re prepared during winter travel. In a car. My eye injections are considered mandatory travel since without them, my vision would start to reduce. I’ve had to travel through excessively snowy conditions, snow storms, you name it. My training has been helpful, but not everyone has that training. As a law enforcement officer for many years, I’ve seen the unfortunate results of collisions during the winter months.

If you’re going to travel during winter months, it’s important to pack your vehicle will some vital items. For example, bottles of water and emergency candles are good items to keep stuffed away in your cargo area. A first aid kit, extra cloths and a booster pack for the car can also be life-saving. Most people carry a cell phone these days, but on the off chance you aren’t one of them, carrying emergency flares and a flashlight can be especially helpful.

The important hung is to make sure you don‘t allow yourself to be fooled by the thought of travelling in a warm vehicle. It takes very little time for a stalled vehicle to turn into a refrigerator. So be sure to dress to the weather outside, not how warm you think you’ll be inside. Lastly, be sure to carry a small shovel in the vent you soft land in some deep snow. And if you’ve never done basic vehicle maintenance, like change a tire, you should try it so you’ll be familiar with the process and be able to do it safely.

As I always say, life doesn’t care about one’s plan. Inclement weather and bad roads can make for hazardous travel conditions. If you MUST travel, it’s important to take all precautions to ensure one’s safety. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to get some caffeine into my system and hit the road. Wish me luck! ☯️

When You’re In A “Tight” Situation…

People love to have their own personal sense of style. And that’s all right, provided you aren’t wearing to doing something that racist or criminal, of course. But there are aspects of one’s clothing that need to be taken into consideration if you practice the martial arts. I’ll be the first one to say that fighting should always be the last recourse. But once the fight is inevitable, it’s incumbent on you to ensure that you walk away safe and whole once the encounter is over.

The type of clothing you wear can have a direct impact on the outcome of a fight, especially if the clothing you’re wearing is confining, restrictive or has accessories that may hinder or get in the way of a safe encounter. So let’s start from the bottom and work our way up, shall we? As a karateka, kicking holds particular importance as kicks are an integral part of my art. So let’s start with footwear.

In the dojo, most practitioners will be bare-footed. I say “most,” because there will the odd exception of some students wearing athletic footwear or so-called “Kung fu shoes.” But for the most part, we spend our time on the mats bare-footed. For the sake of form and muscle memory, this is fine. So picture doing a front kick… In Uechi Ryu, we practices the front kick by pointing the big toe towards our target. Some other style will strike using the ball of the foot, some will use the heel. It all depends on what style and technique you use.

Now, picture being on the street during the winter months, wearing thick winter boots with little to no flexibility. Executing a front kick in the way you’ve trained to do so may not be possible. You’ll notice I said “the way you’ve trained” and not “the right way,” because the correct way to kick is subjective to one’s style and technique. But trying to execute your kick with restrictive footwear will result in either improper technique, inability to deliver the kick or perhaps even some level of injury, your opponent taking advantage of the situation notwithstanding.

Your pants or shirt/sweater can have the same issue. Hell, if you’re wearing a coat of a sweater, you’ll hinder yourself, as well. Most martial arts practitioners will be used to wearing a loose-fitting gi or fitness apparel that will allow freedom of movement for your techniques ands blocks. But wearing regular street clothes can present unique challenge, especially if they’re restrictive and/or form-fitting. If your jeans are so tight that you can barely lift and bend your leg, you’ll easily find yourself compromised as it relates to using your kicks.

Coats and tops present the same problem. Uechi Ryu uses some rather circular blocks and having a thick, winter coat would hinder the proper execution of a lot of these coats. All of this is bearing in mind that one should be able to find an alternative, of course. Proper martial arts shouldn’t be restricted to a limited set of techniques. And by no means am I suggesting that one shouldn’t wear specific types of clothing. My goal is simply to get one’s mind turned towards the potential obstacle and take it into consideration. After all, the average person, even a martial artist, won’t spend their days fighting.

I know some people who prefer slim-fitting clothes, which can be fine. Not for me, since it tends to make me look like someone poured too much batter into the muffin cup. But it’s important to be cognizant of what may restrict or hinder you, should you need to protect yourself or someone else. I’m a boot cut jeans kind of guy and I usually manage to find those jeans that have one or two percent spandex in them, making the denim flexible enough to kick properly. I also make sure they fit properly as opposed to looking like a second skin. this ain’t yoga class! Food for thought… ☯️