LIKE-MINDED

There is something unique about being around people who understand your situation. Like-minded individuals to whom you can relate, whether it be a good experience or a bad one. They can be the kind of people you interact with in person. Or they can be ones you come across online via the various social media platforms. Certainly, with the ongoing Covid pandemic, people are seeking more of the online communities to feel that sense of belonging.

Being amongst people who are dissimilar can at times feel exhausting. Always having to explain yourself. Having to justify why we cannot do something at a moment’s notice, as in the case of being a single parent amongst a group of younger people who wish to go somewhere on a whim.

This school year will be a bit more structured in terms of the after-school activities for my son, the only one of my three children who live with me since January. So much has changed since last year when I could see my daughters and my son every other week. But circumstances and the emotional unintelligence, to put it nicely, have come in the way of what is in the best interest of my children.

One of the most important things I can do is to control my reaction to the situation, as difficult as that can be at times. The other thing is to create a loving environment, knowing that I am doing everything in my abilities to make sure that my son has the skills he needs in order to succeed in life and to not repeat the mistakes of the adults which caused this abuse and abandonment.

Time is a precious commodity that will prove to be rarer this year as we spend four days of the week and one weekend morning at MMA classes as part of my son’s off-campus physical education. Because of this choice, he gets to take an extra elective class which is much better than having to play American football during in-school Athletics class. And no, that is not something that will ever interest me or my son. European football, yes. American football, no way.

For the past four and a half months, we have been learning K1 and Muay Thai kickboxing. In the coming months, we look forward to learning Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. This week is Rank Assessment week where we review all we need to know in order to rank up to the next level. Being a part of the program has felt like an extended family. A sense of belonging as we learn to be stronger in both body and mind. Where we ‘persevere through obstacles, learn from our failures, and pursue mastery’ in life.

Like-minded individuals bring about a desire to learn from each other. To look at experiences in a way we had not thought to see. The ideas and thoughts exchanged can lead us on a different path than the one we were on before as we start to see things in a new light. We all have our own unique stories and we can all learn from each other if we are willing to be open to listening and learning.