Change

I am reading the Lil Leopards the book “The Lorax” by Dr. Suess. I feel it’s an important tool that I have to start teaching them environmental self defense. It’s a lyrical book, with lots of colours, and I hope that these young children of tomorrow will learn from it.

This ties in with my Lorax Project, which will coincide with Earth Day on April 22nd. Although it should be Earth day everyday. This project first appeared with our school in 2008, and the students at Silent River Kung Fu all submitted a letter or picture to Mother Earth. You can find it on my blog and the link is posted below. This year, this project will be a video blog, and I hope the message will be just as clear.

Our earth is very unsettled right now, and it’s time to make some serious changes.

3 Laps and an 80 pound push

One of my goals for this year was to run the PARE test. It’s the Physical Abilities Requirement Evaluation, that all RCMP applicants and most member’s need to complete. My test is on Wednesday April 13th, and so this past Wednesday I went down to the gym to give it a try. My purpose was to see what it was like, and perhaps adjust my workouts accordingly.

I ran 3 of the 6 laps, and holy smokes batman! It is harder than it looks. It’s like an obstacle course for grownups, and has a easy look to it. But it’s not that simple. I know I can do it though, but that’s the easy part. The hard part is that you immediately go to the push/ pull machine. There are 6 180 degree rotations you must do while pushing/ pulling the appropriate weight. I was given the applicants weight of 80 pounds. I mentioned in a previous post that 80 pounds is 2/3 of my body weight.

Again, holy smokes batman! Pulling wasn’t too difficult, as a good horse stance is all I really needed. Walking that way was a little more challenging, but not as challenging as the push. I could get the weight up, but walking/ cross stepping while doing it is almost impossible for me. I don’t have the upper body strength that I thought I did. Hm.

Anyway, while I was really sore in my shoulders the next day, I am really looking forward to April 13th. Wish me luck!

Let's get this over with....

Today has been a difficult day to blog. Most of the time, this is pretty easy for me, but today I can’t seem to organize my thoughts.

I am definitely all over the map here, but my training is mostly on track. I have spent some extra time with different forms this past week, and next week I am going to observe (and maybe try a lap or two) of a physical fitness test for the RCMP. One of my goals this year is to run it and I am looking forward to accomplishing it in April. Basically, it’s an obstacle course for grown-ups, and I have to run it in a certain amount of time. And part of it involves lifting and carrying 80 lbs of dead weight. Considering that’s 2/3 of my weight, it’ll be interesting. And I guess this is where my leg strength will come into play. Lift with legs, not back...

Anyway, that’s all folks!

Rank

I have been thinking a lot lately about rank. I am aiming for my second degree, and find myself getting discouraged about where I am. My inner voice tells me that is doesn’t matter where I am in the totem pole, as long as I train mindfully and stay true to myself. But sometimes that inner voice isn’t very strong.

Part of my reason for the UBBT was to give myself a boost in mindful training, and to act as a guide to grade in the fall. But the more I think about grading, the more stressed out I get. I forget to be in the moment, and forget to find joy in the little things that make it all worthwhile.

As I write this, I find my mind wandering to the Lil Leopards class yesterday, and the light that shines in all those little faces. Some are shy, don’t talk and stick to the instructor they trust. Others are chatty, and can’t wait to tell you about their day (even though it’s only 9 am). That gives me joy, and knowing that my training is getting passed to them means a lot. The same goes in my Advanced kids class. They are on the cusp of teenage hood, and I go away feeling like I made a difference all the time.

So really, does the belt around my waist mean anything at that point? Does it ever? Will the stripes on my belt give me more respect? More wisdom? No. All it does is symbolize a goal I met. So what if it takes longer than I plan? It’s the journey that takes me there that matters the most. That’s the mantra I had when I earned my black belt, and I mentally kick myself sometimes for forgetting that now.

This journey has to stay about learning, and becoming a better person. It’s about personal growth, raising awareness, and inspiring those around me. And on that note, I am going to go do some Tai Chi.........