What happened here?

Somehow, it's Thursday and I never did finish or post by blog from Sunday. And in reading it now, I have decided to delete it and start over.

I've taken some time off over the holidays, and I am realizing that I may have bitten off more than I can chew. Maybe. At any rate, it's Thursday, and I have only done a couple of things on my ginormous list. At least I'm ambitious, right?

I am taking some time to fit in some daily Kung Fu though. That helps to keep me balanced and to stay in the present moment.

Anyway, I hope everyone is taking the time to appreciate each other this season as well as taking the time to be in the moment.

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Lion Dance

I have forgotten how much I love being in the middle of the creative process that occurs with every lion dance - and/or dragon dance. I had the opportunity on Thursday to pop into a lion head and do the dance for the evening. It was awesome. I also really enjoy being the buddha. I love the traditions that we have associated to the lions, and how it separates us from other schools. And I especially love sharing it with others. Here's to being a part of an amazing school, filled with amazing people.

Where did the time go?

My oldest daughter is 13 today, and I have found myself going back in time fairly often this past week. Maybe it's because she is officially a "teenager" now but regardless, I have been doing a lot of reminiscing.

She started Kung Fu 10 years ago, and I can clearly see how it has helped her grow into the person she is today. Well, we have all grown with Kung Fu, to tell the truth. Her first couple of months in the Lil Leopards program she sat on my lap and wouldn't make eye contact with anyone. Then she was slowly able to go on the mats after the warm up. And then about six months in, she was one of the loudest kids in there. Granted, she isn't loud anymore and her anxiety gets the better of her sometimes, but she is growing into a wonderful woman. (Makes me kind of sad though).

In my years of training, I have seen many little ones grow into big people and there are a number of kids that have grown up together in the kwoon. I think that's really awesome. I can't think of a better place to raise my kids. It has been like a second family helping to shape my kids' future. Literally, the community is helping to raise them.

Anyway, they grow up fast, and there isn't anything I can do to stop it, but I can cherish all of the little things along the way.

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Eye for detail

Some days it seems like my eye for detail goes on vacation. I miss things that might affect how well others can work, or I can easily miss something that needs fixing with my training. I know I also have some days where I feel that my eye for detail is pretty good. I think the best way to combat this lack, is to do my absolute best to stay mindful of everything that I do, no matter what my mindset is, or the task that I am working on. A lack of an eye for detail can make a huge difference in everything. And it could also mean that you miss an opportunity to make a difference. Mindfulness is the key.

That felt good

I have missed the last few Tai Chi classes and it felt really good to be there again yesterday. My Saturdays have been more or less the same over the last 5 ish years, and it definitely makes me appreciate it more when it I miss a class. I know I have written about this before, but I find Tai Chi very meditative, so it's a perfect class after the Lil Leopards.

I have heard that there might be a small Tai Chi demo - I sure hope to be a part of that if it happens!

 

 

 

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It got away some how

I have many thoughts running through my mind at the moment, and I have been sitting here trying to pin one down so I could blog. This little one has been on my mind for a bit, although it has really only hit me yesterday that I HAVE to find a way to address it. No, it isn't anything huge, but it could be huge to a little someone. I always struggle for a while when new little leopards start. The girls are easy as there is usually only a couple. But the boys, well - while they all look different, when they have similar haircuts it can be difficult to differentiate them from one another. Usually it only takes a month or so for me to get a handle on them, but this year it is seemingly difficult. And it bothers me. Yesterday, I found out that one little guy was not who I thought he was, and I felt incredibly guilty. How can I possibly connect with them, when I don't know who they are? I know, it'll come, but I do need to stay vigilant so that I do learn their names. I'm not sure how yet, but I will figure it out.....

Where to now?

Days like today are days that I could very easily skip blogging. My mental state isn't where it could be, so while I would rather not write here is a simple quote...

 

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination."

- Nelson Mandela (1918-)

 

 

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