Meditation

This past year, one of my goals was to meditate more, and to make the goal more attainable, I had dedicated a month per different type of meditation. I was going to do walking meditation, hugging meditation, sitting meditation and tea meditation every day for a month or two depending on how it went. I have learned though, that that goal wasn't specific enough. It would have served me better to stick a number on each type, so I had a quantitative measure. I am sad to say that I don't think I have really made a lot of progress in this goal. ( I think I already do ok with moving meditation so that one wasn't included).

However, I can say that some are easier than others. And some are simpler to do with relation to time invested. For example, tea meditation, while best done in a single go can be done with every sip. If I am mindful, I can stop, breathe, and be in the moments each time I have a sip of tea. I can taste what went into making this cup of tea. The sun, the rain, the dirt, the people who picked the leaves, the people who sent them to be packaged, the people who drove them to the store, to the people who put them on the shelf, to myself by boiling the water and making the tea. It is being in the moment, and appreciating what I have.

I also enjoyed the hugging meditation. This one was hard to plan with the approach I took. I went in thinking that at a certain time each day, I would engage in hugging meditation. That didn't work too well, as it just felt too forced and awkward. However, I have succeeded in hugging my family more. And for a longer stretch at a time. I aim for 3 breaths in that hug - one to thank the person for being there, one to tell them I love them, and one to just enjoy this time with them. It's easy to get busy, and neglect those closest to us. Hugs are good.

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Tai Chi

I love Tai Chi. It's funny because I didn't start until I earned my black belt, and in hindsight it would've been awesome to start sooner. It turned out to be a great tool in the healing of my broken ankle, and it's a great tool to handle stress.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to help teach it alongside Sifu Dennis, and I am always amazed at how much I still have to learn. I am really loving how full the class is, and it is a testament to Sifu Dennis and her passion for it.

I wonder sometimes what my strengths are, as I see so many students with obvious ones. I think that Tai Chi is one of mine , although I still have a long ways to go before I come close to mastering it. There is a lot of understanding that I don't feel I have yet, but I know that will come in due time if I continue to practice.

My hand form for this year was the Tai Chi short form, and I am glad that I chose it. It's been challenging at times to practice it as it's not something to rattle off in a minute to get it done. But it's been a good challenge, and I can't see me not continuing to practice after this I Ho Chuan year is over.

 

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Duh, duh, duh

It's coming. Don't be afraid though, as it culminates in something amazing.

Yes, the Chinese New Years banquet is almost near. It's a time of year that I always look forward to. I find that right after the Christmas break, my motivation is renewed , and I can't wait to jump back into the many practices and a lot more time spent at the Kwoon. It's exciting to get to see what we can create when we all come together and then showcase for our families.

Yesterday we had our monthly I Ho Chuan meeting and were joined by our new members for the upcoming year of the monkey. It was awesome to look back at how far we have come, and to be able to meet the newest members. It's been a great year, and I am so thankful to have shared it with all of you.

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Looking back

Over this past week, I found myself going through some old pictures, and I stumbled across some from a really long time ago. At least it feels that way. I can't remember the year exactly, but Sihing Csillag was a purple belt in the Lil Leopards, and there were so me other faces that I recognize.

It's amazing how far we have all come. I was still a Sihing in those pictures, and that feels like a lifetime ago. In reality it's been only 7 or 8 years, but again, it seems like so long ago.

It was a nice trip down memory lane. Seeing all the changes that the Kwoon has gone throughout ugh ( still only had the original space, and those amazing red mats), and of course all of the changes that we have gone through. Due to injuries and a little bit of aging, I cannot train the way I used to. But that's ok, as our paths are always adapting, or veering off in a different direction, and while each of our journeys are our own, ultimately we are not alone.

We have each other to encourage and support, to help us adapt to each change that comes our way. It's been a great year in the I Ho Chuan, and I look forward to what comes next year. I have seen momentous growth in everyone, and I hope that you all keep on the path you are on.

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Family

I was struck this past Saturday at open training just how blessed we are. Looking at the families that train there together made me smile. I know that not all of our family members stay with it, and that's ok because I know that they did benefit even if they don't know it.

I am fortunate, that my family trains at Silent River Kung Fu. My girls, like so many other kids, have grown up in this environment and know it as a second home. We are a huge family, that cares about each other beyond measure. Together we embark on projects that tie us closer to one another, and projects that make the school more "ours".

I feel truly blessed to share my journey with you. This past year has been full of growth, and I am looking forward to what the next year brings.

Peace, love and happiness to you all.

 

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Jammie's and tea

How can I be mindful when I feel I am going crazy? I have finally jumped into my full time position, which is good as I can narrow my focus at work. And my boss has been away last week and this week, so I am learning a lot on the fly. Not a bad thing, but it's proving to be a bit stressful. I made some wonderful tea for my coffee break today with the intent of drinking it slowly. But it was gone before I really realized it. Absolutely no mindfulness there! Oh well. I just have to recognize where I am and stop and breathe. Once I gain more confidence, I should be able to focus more on my tea. I have also become aware of how much I march at work. I am always on a mission, and while it's good for my numbers, it isn't good for being in the moment.

I know that I am feeling a lot of stress right now, and probably more than I realize. My weekend was spent in bed with a migraine, and I had a cold sore last week. And I don't get those very often. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. I'm just taking stock of where I am mentally. I need a little bit of time off, which is coming soon. And as long as I don't fill all of my time with the things I want to get done, I should be able to relax a bit. And I plan on drinking lots of tea! Mmmmm, jammie's and tea. Sounds wonderful.

 

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I hope this works

I was on a website tonight doing some very late Christmas shopping(oops!) and came across the following page. I hope the link works.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/danish-police-officer-syrian-refugee_55f8d9d3e4b0b48f67013caf

Anyway, if it doesn't, it's a touching look at a Danish police officer and a little girl fleeing from Syria. Is him playing a game with her, and she looks happy. It brought tears to my eyes. Everyday is a barrage of bad things - things that make me want to stay inside with the people I love and not go out into that scary world. Where people take the lives of others, or abuse them, and a world where countries seem to think that the path to peace is through violence. Sorry, I kind of went off there.

It was good for my soul to see such a touching moment captured in time. I hope the link works...

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