After battling with a cold for a month I broke down and sought a little sun in the industrious Los Angeles. I was feeling the need to connect with a good friend and after working so hard this past year with little reprieve, I felt a need to briefly unplug and raise my vibration which I feel had become congested. I stayed in Topanga Canyon and hiked every day as well as ventured into the city to eat, dance, do yoga and connect with the bustling metropolis. I caught a film at the Nuart theatre in Santa Monica which was fascinating. Jiro Dreams of Sushi. It is currently playing in Vancouver if you are interested.

Jiro is an 85 year old sushi master and his humble little sushi bar in Tokyo has been given 3 Micheline stars and is world renowned. This clever documentary explores his story and showcases how he has committed himself to his craft with such passion and taken the art of sushi to the next level. The Japanese concept of ‘shokunin’ is discussed, the art of being a craftsman or artisan. This concept has a lot of depth beyond just gaining technical skills but also to truly embody the spirit of the craft. Under his care are his apprentices who commit to learn the art and craft of making great sushi which is at least a 10 year commitment. I look around me here in the West at all of the ‘gurus’ who learn a basic skill and go out and charge top dollar for their services on a quest to accumulate more wealth, such a stark juxtaposition.

The film also covers the imminent threat of species of fish going extinct such as tuna and how this effects traditional sushi conventions. If you watch this film you will learn the potential that rice can be and hopefully be inspired to fall in love with the work that you do. Jiro Dreams of Sushi was a good reminder for me to love what I do and be less distracted by the superfluous that surrounds us all.