WooHoo

I’m currently sitting on the couch in our office with 3 of our 4 pets. It’s really nice to be able to sit here with them and just be.

I’m sitting here on the couch thinking about our new normals and how they will continue to evolve everyday. What we’re doing at the school has changed and will continue to do so. Some of us struggle with change, and dealing with unknowns, but change is constant. We need to try to see the positives in change and embrace them as much as we can.

Both of my kids have graduated this spring. One from MacEwan University and one from high school. No celebrations or big event, and fortunately, both of them are happy with this. But we received a surprise today in the mail. MacEwan sent a graduation certificate, lawn sign, banner and grad cap. Grad found us! It was nice to see a concrete ending to university although my oldest is transferring to the UofA in the fall. Endings and beginnings. Constant change. A smile. I got this.

Challenges

It can take courage to face new challenges, and a belief in yourself to follow through. I know that we all saw this firsthand when the kwoon shut down, and we had to rethink the way we approached our training. So here we are now, a week into our phased in re-opening, and I am slowly finding my feet. I’m not feeling as creative as I was 2 weeks ago, as I have different types of classes running at the same time, and it’s challenging to keep the guys at home engaged and having fun at the same time as the guys in front of me.
But it’s a challenge, and one I am grateful to have. It warmed my heart and soul last week to see everyone finally face to face (1 hockey stick apart), and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. My training needs to amp up a bit again, as I know I haven’t been working as hard as I can. It that I also know is doable.
Let’s continue to keep each other safe and healthy

Another new “normal”

In our office at home, we have a calligraphy by Thich Nhat Hanh. It says “I know you are there and I am very happy.”

I love this quote and it has really grounded me during these last 3 months. I am home with my family and I am happy. I have screen access to my students and fellow students of Silent River Kung Fu. And this week I get to see our students in person, and that makes me happy.

It will be different, and another new “normal” will evolve. But I am up for that challenge, because you are there and I am very happy.

Another First!

Yesterday marked Silent River Kung Fu’s first Livestream Tiger Challenge, and it was awesome! We had expected there to be glitches, and disorganization but it flowed quite smoothly. Although that’s in large part to Sifu Yitzik Csillag and his amazing skills! Thank you so much Sifu! I don’t know where we would be without you!

I loved judging the kids, although like every other time, it was difficult because they all try so hard and just warm my heart. It’s hard to pick the best one. And it was really amazing to see everyone else participating in challenging spaces. You guys were all incredible!

As for me, I got through my hand form. I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to, because when the Black Belts started, my anxiety shot through the roof. My stomach was in knots and my heart was pounding. What the heck! It felt really out of proportion since this was a) online and b) just for fun. It seems no matter how many times I compete, I always seem to react this way. But I did it! I got through my whole form in one piece. No breakdowns!

It’s always good to push through. I know that if I took the easy way and dropped out, not only would I not be fulfilling my I Ho Chuan promises, I wouldn’t grow from the experience.

Congratulations everyone, for a job well done yesterday! And thank you to all the black belts who made this possible. Both you, our great students, and Sifus, made yesterday amazing!

Here Tiger, Tiger, Tiger...

The Tiger Challenge is this Saturday, and it’s going to be different. I’m looking forward to doing it online this year, even though that adds a challenge. And I think that’s why I am looking forward to it. It’s going to be different, and we are going to learn a lot. Judging takes on a whole new dimension, as does performing. For myself, the competing is creating less anxiety in myself than in the past. Im not really performing in front of people in the same way we would usually. I’m liking this so far...good luck to everyone, and remember to have fun!