Vision Statement
Through Judo principles, I would like to educate and demonstrate the greatness of the human potential regardless of all differences; to illustrate that harmony is possible for mankind and that we're all one and the same.
My five core values:
Harmony
"I am undoubtedly convinced now that a balanced blend of differences and diversity is the way of the future. People will soon realize that it is possible to have harmony along with diversity and differences at all levels. Realization that the laws governing all beings are essentially the same under all circumstances is the key to understanding. Fundamentally, understanding the laws governing existence and creation of all living beings in essence will make the mankind more prosperous and harmonious."
-Souleymane Ongoiba
Harmony and balance requires awareness, consciousness, freedom all which imply some intelligence as a capacity to deal with life as whole.
"As Above so below, As below so Above"
Courage
In other words, it's doing what it takes despite one's own fears. Here are some quotes that reflect the importance of this value for me.
"Courage is the Quality most essential to understanding the language of the world."
-Paulo Coelho
"Courage is the first of human Qualities because it is the Quality which guarantees the others."
-Sir Winston Churchill
"You cannot discover new Oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shores."
"You will miss 100% of the shots you don't take."
Freedom
Key concept and very subtle that involves a great sensitivity, resulting from awareness and consciousness. Exercise of Freedom involves intelligence, and the power to think/act without restraint. Freedom is fundamentally an aptitude to exercise choice. As Stephen Covey put it, it's being Response ABLE (being responsible means own to own your action/reaction).
Creativity
This core value is very important to me as it enables each individual to be who they really are. Since it concerns taking risk and standing on your own, Creativity implies self expression and allows individual to grow. It's an opportunity to exercise the power of creation. That's where power and creation get somehow intertwined in some ways; indeed, we could define Power as the ability to create, to accomplish, and to act effectively, ability to manifest anything we want, including any reality you want to experience.
Integrity
Doing the right thing - this anchored value creates an environment that supports all the 4 values listed above. It allows individual to be true to their principles.
Judo, My way of life
I have lived my life through a Judo paradigm (Judo values) where I have hope for humanity and society to resemble the dojo tatami (training mat). On the tatami, mutual and self- respect are the prevalent values. On the mat, for example, there is no discrimination in gender or race; everybody is looking for the same goal- self quest and self expression. Through years of practicing Judo we learn about ourselves, our relationships; we get inspiration to see things the way they are. Similar to life itself and to the Olympic Games (which take to a higher level, different races, community, gender, races Olympic values), Judo is an ever lasting learning process where changing just one variable causes one to reconsider his global assumptions. Every moment on the mat is an opportunity for growth and learning. An opportunity for self expression, an opportunity to be creative. Through years of practice this very process of creation and self expression unleashed my artistic nature that was buried somewhere. On the mat where I find all my core values (My five core values), I am able to fully find a way of expressing my inner most yearnings and desires, which makes me feel most alive!!!. Application of the principle of maximum efficiency with minimum effort involves optimal thinking by which you have to maximize your abilities, talents, resources. When face with a situation, it's all about making the most of every opportunity; it's about trying to be and being your best in every situation, while trying to keep a balance.
Looking back in my upbringing it occurs to me that my parents might have been former Judokas without knowing it since my family values and Judo values overlap. My parents have always incrusted in me that once committed to a goal, task, I should always give my very best; always!!!! Which in the process of growing up made me always scrutinized my own integrity, my intrinsic involvement. In this thought process, introspection is needed, and there you ought to ask yourself: Did I give my best? Did I try my best? You ought to be sincere with yourself, you ought to be creative. You ought to connect with something higher than yourself, and you ought to be an Artist! Growing in adherence to this approach made me look at life through a holistic lens, where learning, trying, and maintaining efforts, and always giving your best shot became a habit!!! The similar principles apply on the tatami, where it's always giving your best, and pushing yourself to your limits. For me, the dojo (place of learning) became a sacred place and judo practice a ritual for reconnecting with myself and with the higher self; it's all about finding yourself, reassessing your values, being the best you can be. In short like any art, Judo is self expression through creativity. I can easily relate to it even through my African origin and values. For me Judo is a way to connect with something larger than myself; it's being co creator at many levels.
Judo Values
Judo is an international language that transcends cultural and linguistics barriers, it's applying minimum effort for maximum efficiency, using higher laws against phenomena occurring on lower planes.
Judo moral codes
- Politeness is respecting others
- Courage is doing what is fair
- Sincerity is expressing oneself without concealing one's thoughts
- Honor is keeping one's word
- Modesty is speaking of oneself without vanity
- Respect, without respect no trust can exist
- Self Control keeping quiet when anger wells up
- Friendship is the purest of all human feelings
Judo is a bouquet of all those flowers. For more information on Judo go to www.ijf.org. I personally like to add the analogy that is used sometimes: Doing Judo is similar and inclusive of using:
- Mind of the chess player
- Endurance of the marathon runner
- Speed of the sprinter
- Explosion of the power lifter
- Agility of the gymnast
- Fortitude of the warrior
Olympic Values
The values and the spirit of the Olympic Games seem to embody the noble expressions of the judo values.
Citius, Altius, Fortius
Faster, Higher, Stronger
The Olympic values and spirit seems to embody the noble expressions of the Judo values. The Olympic spirit - Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation, and Dream. It's about promoting equality, peace, unity of the people, fellowship, strength, and courage.
The Olympic spirit is built on dreams, where anything is possible. Exceeding your limits. As it is well express on the IOC website
"The Olympic symbol expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and represents the union of the five continents and the meeting of athletes from throughout the world at the Olympic Games. It expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of Mankind. In spite of the differences in colors, languages and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of Mankind for peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams".