Mental vs. Physical

Next week I am walking 5 km in the Trek for Tourette. I have never undertaken anything like this, although I am currently not seeing it as a big deal. Am I underestimating the trek? Will my ankle be okay? Is my fitness up to par?

I feel that I am in pretty good shape for the shape I am in. I do a lot of walking everyday, although I don’t log it, so maybe it isn’t as much as I think. I don’t do any formal training when it comes to walking distances, but I feel that it won’t be a problem.

But will it? I think that perhaps this week, I should prepare. How though? I have pedometer, so that might give me an idea of how much I am actually walking. I have to be more mindful this week - Am I walking with a purpose and in the moment? Or am I walking with my mind on a hundred other things, and only putting one foot in front of the other?

I will need to drink water during this walk. How am I going to accomplish this? Maybe I will wear a backpack, so that I can put my water there, or should I just carry my bottle? Something to think about. Or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? I think maybe I am just thinking about it too much.

I know mentally, I am a little anxious about the walk. Not the walk itself, but the experience. I don’t know what to expect, and so feel a bit unprepared, and unable to do so. But perhaps that will make it more meaningful to me, and will keep me engaged in it. I do know this however. It is for a good cause, and any awareness I raise is a good thing.

The couple of students at Silent River with Tourette’s inspire me, so therefore, this is an important event for me.

Next Sunday, March 21st, at 2:00. I will be there, and I will be walking.

Leadership and lollipops

How do lollipops fit in with leadership? They don’t really, but it is a sweet thing when you see your child or student take leadership seriously.

We all have different ways of expressing our leadership. But the common denominator is through example. We can talk the talk all we like, but unless we are seen doing what we say, the words mean nothing.

Some of us are quiet leaders, in that we don’t spend much time talking about what we are doing, and are mostly just doing. We may not even be aware of it, but people see what we do, and they aspire to do the same. For example, you could see a person picking up garbage and without them saying anything, you find yourself picking up garbage too.

Others are more vocal leaders. They talk the talk, and walk the walk. Their words alone are inspiring, but when you couple that with actions that support the words, the leadership is more noticeable.

I think we all have our leadership strengths, whether we can outwardly pinpoint them or not. I believe that through Kung Fu, we are building leaders everyday.

As a parent, I feel that I need to set an example for my children. I follow through with what I say, and I try very hard not to contradict myself. That is a challenge sometimes, because I am not always in the right mindset to be as firm as I need to. As a student, in order to have the privilege to learn, I need to live up to my instructors’ and my expectations. I know that my instructors will be less willing to teach me, if I am all talk, and not willing to take initiative. As an instructor, I need to show my students, that I am going to do what I say, I am more than willing to admit I don’t know something, and I am happy to do pushups or whatever right alongside them.

As a parent, I believe strongly that my children know right from wrong, and I believe strongly that Kung Fu reinforces that. I have to accept that they won’t always make the right choice, but with a safe home and a safe place to train, they will learn.

Consistency is important in leadership as well. How can you lead if you only do what you say sometimes? Or don’t always follow through on your commitments? I know that sometimes, it isn’t always easy. I happened to give out my first grounding two weeks ago. I can’t begin to say how difficult it was, and how much more difficult it was to stick to my guns. Maybe I overreacted, but I am determined that both my children and I learn from this. I believe that I am raising leaders, and even through a grounding I saw leadership. There wasn’t any shown in the incident, but I know it’s there. However, I wonder how much is due to my parenting alone, or how much Kung Fu has influenced that?

Being a leader, is more than just coming to class and doing what you are supposed to be doing. It is trying to do your best, be your best, at all times. Home, school, Kung Fu, and within our community. It is about follow through, consistency, passion, and hard work.

Something to say...

I have some things to say, but I don’t feel I have the voice to do so right now. I have found myself thinking about where I am at. I find teaching challenging, and rewarding, but it can also be frustrating. I know that sometimes I forget about the strengths I have in front of me, and in doing so I get overwhelmed and lose sight of the big picture.

I have to rethink a few things, re-calibrate so to speak, and to do that, I have to let go of some preconceived expectations, and start at ground zero. This takes some courage on my part, and I have to let go just a little.

I need to use the strengths that the others around me bring. I need to recognize them, celebrate them, and cooperate with them. I have to stop looking for things that aren’t there, I have to let go of things, and embrace the good things that are coming.

There are times where I feel I am running in place, and not making any headway. And when the rut starts to get deeper, it’s time to recognize it and jump out. I think I am jumping out...or maybe I am just recognizing it so that I can have the power to do something about it.

Wild Rumpus

I feel really drained right now, so I am not sure what to write about. However, this is a commitment that I intend on keeping. Journaling once a week, is something I have done for a couple of years now, and it is really good for me.

I am feeling some relief that the Chinese New Year Banquet - Black Belt Promotion is done. I really enjoyed all the work preparing for it, don’t get me wrong, but I have missed the continuity of our regular schedule.

My ankle has been holding up fairly well lately, so I am thinking that now that the banquet is over, I can perhaps push myself harder again. I haven’t really trained too hard on my forms and such for quite a while, so it will be fantastic to get to it again. The only drawback I seem to suffer from right now, is the tendonitis in my right wrist from work. It hurts to do much with it, and my pushups have suffered a little. I guess it could be a lot worse though. All of my body (injured) parts could be flaring up right now. I am in pretty good shape for the shape I am in.

Just after the candidates received their black belts, while we were all standing up on stage (and just before the entire school came up for the picture), I had a phrase pop into my head. It took a lot of willpower not to say it out loud since it was probably not appropriate. If anyone has seen and/ or read “Where the Wild Things Are”, this will make sense. For some reason, I wanted to yell out, “Let the wild rumpus start!”

Yup, I am a little nuts. Or maybe just tired. Or something in between.

Everyone worked hard for yesterday, and I am proud to have been a part of it. The whole day ( from beginning to end) was absolutely fantastic. I belong to an amazing family.

Year of the Tiger

I have a couple of places that I could go with this blog today, so it will be interesting to see it when I am done my weekly ramble.

It is year of the Tiger today. New beginnings, a fresh start. Or something like that. I am hoping that this year is a better one for me injury wise. I feel like I have not trained very hard at all during the past 12 months and I know I still have to be careful with my training. I do have tendenitits in my right wrist from work, and I am hoping that that disappears soon. January was difficult as well. I pulled a muscle in my right side ( rib area,) so for a couple of weeks, I couldn’t do much at all. And then when that was all healed, I put my back out and couldn’t do much for another week, and then of course my wrist has set me back somewhat as well. But February has been pretty good so far. And I am hoping that after the banquet next Saturday, I can start training harder again. I have so many things that I want to do...

I am interested in learning more about kids fitness programs, so that I can incorporate them into my classes. I want to work on my double broad sword form some more and complete it, and I want to practice a lot more too. Hopefully my elderly body cooperates with me... :-)

Heart and Stroke Month

This month is Heart and Stroke month. Heart Disease is defined as a group of conditions affecting the structure and the functions of the heart. It is preventable and manageable.

A stroke is a sudden loss of brain function. It happens when there is a disruption of blood flow to the brain, which causes cells to die. Blood provides oxygen and nutrients to the brain and without these damage occurs.

Some things you can do to to control your risk factors for both heart disease and stroke...

Don’t smoke, be physically active, know your blood pressure, eat a diet low in saturated and trans fats, maintain a healthy weight, limit alcohol use, and reducing your stress, can play a significant role in reducing your risk of heart disease.

Healthy choices are very important in preventing and managing these. This includes incorporating the four food groups as often as you can, with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables, being physically active (Kung Fu is a big help), but even walking for 20 - 30 minutes a day. Reducing your stress is a big one, which can also done through Kung fu, as is meditation, journalling, and finding time for yourself. Also knowing your family history will go a long way in understanding and managing your risk factors.

The following website is full of information and I recommend it...

http://www.heartandstroke.ab.ca/site/c.lqIRL1PJJtH/b.3650753/k.BDFA/Home.htm

While February is dedicated to Heart Disease and Stroke, we should be aware each and every day.

I had another blog...

I had written something else today, but am feeling like I am repeating myself so I have decided not to post it yet.

Instead, I want to take a moment to reflect on our Kung Fu family. I am surrounded by people who are passionate about similar things, and give me strength just by being there. It is always encouraging to see someone in the Kwoon, pushing themselves, challenging themselves, and feeling good about it. Sweating together, is somehow a bonding experience, that only a fellow martial artist can understand. Ok, workout junkies probably feel a similar way...

I love knowing that I can count on the support of everyone at the Kwoon, whether they know they are giving it or not. I love knowing I can push myself there and not be judged. Our Kung Fu family is made up of a lot of families, and individuals that are all unique, and all bring a strength and continuity. There is comradeship, friendship, healthy competition, and a sort of glue that seems to hold us all together.

Together, we make a difference every day. That evidence is in our local community, and the way we tend to band together.

Here is a quote I like - it doesn’t quite fit with the blog, but whatever, that’s cool. Enjoy.

I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.
Some come from ahead and some come from behind.
But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see.
Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!
~Dr. Seuss