It was spectacular!

Last was an amazing night, as it usually is. Watching everyone's hard work shine is definitely inspiring, and I am so proud of everyone. I feel like I missed a lot though. The night went way too fast, and it was difficult to stay in the moment. But today it was easier to think back to many different moments, and I was able to reflect and enjoy.

It's always inspiring to listen to the newest black belts,and to relate to the hard work and discipline it takes to get there. There are no token black belts here. Every single one is earned. Mounds of sweat, blood and tears colour the white belt into black.

Congrats to Sifu Beckett and Sifu Tymchuk! And to all of the award recipients, and a huge high five to everyone who helped make it great. No matter how small a task might seem, it all adds up to something big!

All in all the banquet was a huge success. A lot of hard work and commitment from everyone made it an amazing night.

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Emotions running high

Last week was a rough one for me mentally and I am glad it is over. And while this week will be busy, and will have an element of different stress, it too has an end in sight. It feels like it has been coming from all directions and I would love to go away on a trip to escape it all. Only problem with that, is that the stresses I would Be running away from, would still be here when I got back. So, the best thing to do, is to keep plugging away, celebrate the successes, and learn from the failures.

 

Thursday is go day. And while I have some good habits already in place, more will need to be developed. Anxiety will need to be overcome. Positive thinking will be necessary. And with a great team, we can accomplish amazing things.

 

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Its almost time

I was reviewing my goals for the upcoming year, and it seems that I have chosen a lot of mental goals for myself. Mindfulness, Tai Chi, the challenge of spreading compassion and loving kindness, exploring my creative side, to name a few. I know I won't be able to start the Sheep Year with a run due to injury, but I will start slow and steady and will catch up.

I am looking forward to the opportunities and experiences that this year will bring. And doing it with a group of like-minded people will make it all the better.

And I can't wait for the banquet!

 

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Mindful appreciation

This week served as a reminder to always try to live in the moment, and to make a point of showing those you care about how much they mean to you.

Life seems to keep moving faster and faster, and so it can feel normal to take things and people for granted. Far too often, it's "I'll do it later" or "tomorrow"and we run a huge risk of losing those missed moments forever.

I am fortunate that the people I love most don't work in situations where their lives are always on the line. And I feel sincere appreciation for those that do,and for their families that have the silent question in their minds all the time "is today the day that they won't come home?"

I know that I don't tell those around me often enough how much they mean to me, and I hope that my I Ho Chuan year will help me improve this. One of my goals, which may be too lofty, is to incorporate 1 mindful thing into my daily schedule each month. Hopefully, this will help me succeed in showing more appreciation for those in my life.

 

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