You Had Me at Hello

There is always one heckler in a crowd. There is always one guest who gets just a little too drunk at a wedding. There is always one testosterone fueled neanderthal at your favorite pub that wants to spoil your night out. On the flip side, there is always one club member that is the first to roll up their sleeves and put in the hard yards. Typically these people, who are the backbone of our social structure, are not the least bit narcissistic. They do what they do because it is inherent in their nature. They can't help but help. My dad is like that and, by default, so am I (it is coded in the genome, of that I am certain). 

My father played golf and became so heavily involved in the day to day of the club that he was nominated president. My father rode Supermoto and then found himself so wound up in marshaling, track preparation and co-ordination that his riding faded to grey. My father recently took up lawn bowls and within his first year he found himself taking over the grounds keeping because he felt so sorry for the old digger that was suffering the task in silence, but with unwavering solidarity.

One of the greatest rewards for such selflessness is the warm embrace of friendship. It is expressed in Zen Do Kai and Muay Thai with the offer of the Tomodachi Cross - it simply means 'friend'. By virtue of it being an 'award', it is a reward that one never expects, but it so honoured to receive. I have one given to me by my Sensei Ashley Hunt from Ellenbrook Martial Arts and I still remember how shocked and grateful I was when it was awarded to me.

A true Tomodachi does not actively seek gratitude or acknowledgement for their effort. Sometimes being showered in praise can actually make you feel a little awkward.

So, if "Thank you, we could not have done it without you" makes you squirm, what are the alternatives?

"Hello"............Hello binds us. It is welcome, are you OK, thank you for coming, thank you for your effort and your energy, thank you for your support and 'we appreciate you' all rolled into two tiny syllables. Hello has it's own energy. It marks a moment in time when two or more people come together to start something great.

Yesterday, in the cool of a beautiful afternoon, my wife, myself and our two kids came together with the matriarchs of Step-up Dance Academy, our surrogate family, midst the beautiful maple-lined path to the Lady Wardle Performance Centre,

The energy and excitement of the exchange of greetings captured the enthusiasm and anticipation of the performance that lay ahead and set the scene for the most amazing night.