Pages from the Glittering Darkness

I have been fencing and taking part in Martial activities now for over half my lifetime. I greatly enjoy these activites and strive not only to improve myself within the scope of my own ability.. but I also strive to try and improve my community and my fellows as well, even if such improvement is something simple like trying to insure we have good water on hand at practice.. or going so far as to pay out of personal pocket to secure a practice location, or help to provide equipment for others.  Recently in our community, many of us Avarim have taken up various personal crusades that mean a great deal to us. My cadet sister Illadore's Journal has many recent posts about her frustration dealing with the community's 'Boys Club' perspectives. Her goals are excellent for what she feels is the betterment of our Society. I agree with her. My crusade, is in a different venue, but also tends to deal with the 'tough guy' attitude that so often flows in our Society. My crusade is all about Calibration. The Art of Defence is all about precision and control in my eyes. The mastery of ones own ability to weild a weapon and to be able to take that intimate knowledge and share it with others in such a way as to promote growth in the Art, not simply continuation. This is what a true Master delivers. Someday, I hope to see that point.  Of late, I would have to agree with the sentiment that we seem to be a Society content to 'beat upon each other,' resistant to change and resentful of implications that we need changes in various areas.. Note, this is our Society I am talking about.. not individuals.

End Part One.. see next entry for Part Two. (darn that character limit)

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