Gratitude

One of my requirements this year is to keep a daily gratitude journal. On one hand, it intimidates me to do this every day. But at the same time, I can see how it can and will benefit me.
It can be easy to get overwhelmed in our current society. We are bombarded with social media, and we seem to be busier than ever in our quest for more.
I think this will be a great tool, to break down my day, every day to the very basics that I know I take for granted. I am sure that when I feel overwhelmed, I can simply open up my journal and re-centre myself with my previous posts.
I can start this today with a couple of things. I am grateful for being able to sit by a fire and snuggle with our dog, while my husband sits close by. I am grateful that he cut wood and built the fire. I am grateful as I write this that I am able to participate in the I Ho Chuan this year. I could keep going, but that is for the journal...

Onwards

Sometimes the hardest thing is starting. I had a great blog in my head this morning as I lay in bed, but by the time it came to write it down, it was long gone. Oops.

This past year has had many ups and downs, and I am looking forward to starting the I Ho Chuan again this year after taking a year off. It sure went fast. I took last year off so that I could focus more on taking care of my back and trying to strengthen it and while I have noticed a small difference it hasn’t really changed much. Oh well, it is what it is.

I have my requirements in place and am now working on my tracking sheets. I have a notebook that will be with me all the time to track, so hopefully I won’t forget to log my numbers.

Here’s to the year of the Rat

Earth

I had the opportunity to walk in the March for Climate Change this past Friday, and in was amazed at the turnout. While the rally/ protest itself doesn’t do anything, it does bring the awareness to our political parties that, we the people and our future generations want something done now. I was proud to see both my kids there on their own volition, and that they stood for what they believe in.

I would like to see more diversity with our economy so that we are much less reliant on our fossil fuels, I would like to see more alternatives for energy, more trees protected and planted, our waterways cleaned and protected and so much more. There is no planet B.

15 Years

If I had only 15 years left to live, I would try to cherish every moment I had. I would travel more, take in the outdoors more, and I would spend more time with family and friends. I would try to let things go, and focus on the good things. I would try to show kindness to everyone I met, and hope that it ripples outwards. I would try to be the best version of myself that I could be. But it doesn’t really matter how many years I may have, as we never truly know. So I need to apply these things whether I have 15 years or 50 years to live. I have one life, and I don’t want any regrets.

Different, yet the same.

For a while now, Sifu Brinker has been saying that we should be standing ‘in’ our legs, not ‘on‘ our legs. And Sifu Dennis has been telling us to sit in our high chairs, as if we are sitting on the edge with our knees slightly bent.

I have been looking at them as two separate things, but a week ago I suddenly started to see them as a very similar thing. I spoke with Sifu Hayes about it to see if I was on the right track and he totally made sense of it for me. As did Sifu Brinker yesterday when I asked him about it.

If you stand rigidly, either in your stance or just standing around, chances are your knees are pretty much locked and you will not be stable. Alternatively, if you bend your knees slightly and allow your feet to root into the ground you will be a force to be reckoned with. Your shoulders will sit slightly forward from your hips and your butt will not be sticking way out. You should feel centred and strong.

This was eye opening for me and has made a big difference in how I am looking at and practicing both my Kung Fu and Tai Chi. This is truly a lifelong journey, and there is so much to learn!

Amazing

Last week I received a couple of amazing gifts. Gifts that I wouldn’t have been aware of even existing if I hadn’t started Kung Fu all those years ago.

We performed a couple of lion dance sat Brookwood School for the kindergarten classes and it was great. But what made it even better was the class that was in the gym before the kindergartens. I can’t say exactly what class it is, but they were small, cute and full of energy and smiles.

On the first day, I received a hug from one little girl after letting her pet the lion and talking to her. That made my day! Then on Tuesday they were there again, and with a girl who hadn’t been there the day before. Her teacher told me that she was non-verbal, but it just didn’t matter. She was very focused on the lion and touching him, before she moved on to the drum. This sweet little thing was determined to move the drum and used all her might. I was very happy to just sit with her and hang out. Then we gave them a small lion dance, with a quiet drumming and they just soaked it all in.

If it hadn’t been for Kung Fu and lion dancing, I wouldn’t have gotten to experience these amazing little kids. I am so lucky!

Goodbye Dog...

Today is the last day of the year of the dog. My year has been an interesting one and while overall it has been good, it isn’t ending where I thought it would.

My numbers are ok I guess. Could be better, and they could be worse. I really enjoyed learning the Tai Chi Broadsword form, and I will continue to practice it. I have also seen many improvements with my 18 Temple Motions. And, I am looking forward to our banquet this coming weekend.

Over the last few months I have seen myself in more pain due to my fibromyalgia and that has been frustrating. And today, I learned from my recent MRI that I have 2 bulging discs in my back as well as some arthritis. Woohoo! Oh well, I know what I am dealing with and why, so that is a good thing. I have learned during my years of training that when you can’t do something, there is always something else to work on.

I am not in the I Ho Chuan this coming year, but you will see me around. I have enjoyed training with all of you, and wish you all the best in your future training. To the new guys joining the year of the pig, you will have an amazing year - just try to stay true to the program. Reach out when you need help, and offer help when you see it’s needed. I have no doubt you will not regret your journey.

Happy New Year