Osu

When I was 19, I met a man.  My boss.  My good friend.  My mentor - Peter R. 

You know when you meet someone and they have really great energy?  There isn't any difficulty finding stuff to talk about, there is no tension, you want to hear everything they have to say?  That is Peter.  He is very wise (although he will quickly disagree) and always seems to put everything (good or bad) into perspective.  He is the type of person you always want to be around.  He is positive, hilarious, encouraging, supportive and makes you think you can do things you never thought possible.  I was so influenced by him that within the first couple of months knowing him, he taught me about stocks and suggested I look into it.  So, I opened a TD Waterhouse account, bought my first stock and made $1,400.  Not a bad start to our friendship. 

Then there was the influence on my personal life.  He taught me about friendship.  Patience.  Determination.  He taught me to always laugh (especially at yourself) and I try to maintain that even when shit hits the fan.  If things are falling apart and you can laugh about it or at least know it'll give you a good chuckle down the road, you are going to get through it.  We always get through it. 

Peter studies Karate and has such a love and respect for it.  He is so determined.  (His Bruce Lee nunchucks are quite hilarious but he actually knows how to use them - impressive).  He has shared many stories and many lessons.  This one particularly struck a cord with me.  He sent me an e-mail recently referring to "Osu."  (Pronounced oo-s)  Osu is a combination of the words: Oshi which means "Push", and Shinobu which means "to Endure".  It means patience, determiniation, appreciation, respect and perseverance.  You push yourself until you think you've reached your limit.  First, your body wants to stop, but your mind keeps pushing you.  Then, your mind wants to stop, but your spirit keeps you going.  You endure the pain.  You persevere.  That is Osu.

We all know how demanding CrossFit is.  I'm sure at some point or another, we've wanted to bail during a WOD or think we cannot complete those last 3 Thrusters (oh how I loathe you!!!!) or just flat out avoid going.  But when we are all working our asses off in that box, getting yelled at by our Trainers, enduring the pain, we share 1 main thing.  We share Osu.  We are determined.  We endure the pain.  We persevere.  With those things, comes great physical, mental, spiritual and emotional gains.  Tonight, I will crave this pain.  Pain is temporary.  I will think Osu.

Nearly 10 years later, Peter is still my good friend.  My mentor.  I have an enormous amount of love and respect for him and I continue to learn from his stories and lessons.  Osu.