In my early twenties, I’d do almost anything to save money to allow me to continue chasing waves around the world. One of my jobs for a winter was as a kitchen fitter’s assistant, shit I made a lot of tea that winter!
The first job I helped on was at Mr’s Jones’ house in Blackwood, South Wales. We were three days into a five-day job and there wasn’t a worktop fitted or a cupboard on the wall. It looked like a disaster zone. When Mrs Jones came back that day after work she broke down in tears.
My boss, (the kitchen fitter version of Mr Myagi) made her a cup of tea and told her all about the importance of the fundamentals.
The fundamental groundwork like replacing old plugs, lacing new electrics and putting in the plumbing for the new sink, dishwasher and washing machine. He promised her we’d be finished on time. I’ll be honest, I was sceptical.
Come Friday at 4 pm you couldn’t keep the smile off Mrs Jones’ face! The kitchen was immaculate and good old Mr Myagi simply bowed his head, wished the lady well and took me for a pint and some pork scratchings (pre-vegan days).
The foundations are critical, who knew? Once you have those nailed the worktops and cupboards go up in the blink of an eye.
The single most important app I’ve ever downloaded is Sam Harris’ ‘Waking Up’. It helped me understand the real purpose of meditation and gave me the foundations to make it a daily practice.
I have no doubt that my life would be worse today if I’d not found meditation. It really is the plumbing and electrics.
It’s why meditation will always play a role in every Man Alive retreat. Spaces are filling up for the July retreat, 7 men (max). ??♂️