Another one behind us

We just finished our annual Tiger Challenge on the weekend, and as always, I came away learning more. I learn about things that can help me teach better, things that can help me be a better judge next year, and things that I can do to help my training.

The tournament gives gives us an opportunity to set a definitive goal, and to set in motion a plan to achieve it. It narrows our focus, and allows us to strive to be better today than yesterday.

I watched competitors fight their nerves, and get through a whole form. No matter the outcome, they were a success. It's hard to beat that anxiety and stress of putting yourself out there. I am so proud of all of you!

 

 

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Noodle, don't noodle

 

I think I am going to start this with the more negative aspects of my training, and work to the positive.

I have had numerous injuries over the years, as most of us have and I thought that I should share a few as they offer insight into my restrictions. I had several ribs broken as a blue belt. And the way they healed have kept me from doing push-ups for many, many years. Happy to say that they feel good now though! I have also had chronic tendinitis in my wrists for years. I have a good month or two and then a few bad months so depending on how they feel, consistency can be hard. I broke my ankle almost 7 years ago just before my black belt ceremony, which still gives me grief more often than not. Injuries have the power to focus our training, as well as to help us appreciate what we can do.

When I started my I Ho Chuan year, I could do 10 knee/ knuckle push-ups at a time. That was it. As of September, I could do 20 at a time fairly easily. But then in a sick twist of fate, I think I cracked a knuckle on my left hand. And it still hurts. Poor me right? Ha ha. So, the squat thrust challenge has been just that, a challenge, Oh well. There isn't any point in complaining as it is what it is.

The past few weeks, I have been face to face with using empathy and compassion. And sometimes it's been really hard to do. One of my cats requires daily medication as of a month ago. And she is extremely fussy about her food so hiding it isn't an option. I think I have pretty much tried everything, but have had to hug her tight and force the pill down her throat. I hate doing it, and she hates me for it. She hides when she knows it's time, and I have lost my temper a few times. Not my best pet mommy moment. But I have been really trying to see it with compassion and empathy. Of course she hates it. It sucks having someone force your mouth open and then hold it until the pill is gone. She can't understand how the pills make her feel better, so her reaction is understandable. And I have learned a lot about myself through this experience.

My training has its ebbs and flows, and I have learned to roll with them as best as I can. I get frustrated, and sometimes I don't feel that I deserve the belt around my waist. But I keep moving forward. I see the benefits of journaling and how mental training is just as important as physical.

 

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Happy Thanksgiving

 

Have a great thanksgiving everyone. I am blessed to be surrounded by people I love and care about, and am thankful for all that I have.

 

 

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Terrific!

It was great to see everyone at the meeting on Saturday. I found it to be inspiring and it left me feeling motivated. It reminded me to look back at where I started, and reflect on the journey so far. I've been training for 12.5 years or so, which isn't very long and I know there is a lot more for me to learn. I see where I have been, and I know where I want to go - it's just a matter of the journey. And that journey evolves as I travel. I need to keep moving forward and to see the valleys and peaks as challenges that will help me grow. Thanks to all of you that shared your progress this weekend, and thanks to everyone for being on this journey. It would be much more difficult without you.

 

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In the balance

Finding balance between Kung Fu, family and work can be a struggle. Events that are out of our control happen and we can easily find ourselves lost in the confusion. And it can really difficult to re-establish our carefully crafted balance. But it's doable.

There are always bumps in the road, and our paths can lead sideways, or go in circles. I think that when we have been training enough to develop effortless effort, it is a whole lot easier to find the right path again.

I have been thinking about my journey this year, and am pondering joining the I Ho Chuan team next year. This has been a great year so far, and for the most part have been able to maintain balance in my life, and the many roles I play.

 

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How much do I say?

I had a lot of emotions going through me today, and I thought I had a blog, but now I am not so sure. I guess i still have one, but I don't think I can share all of those emotions anymore. (But here's a few).

I have a lot of work ahead of me, when it comes to being a better person. I am working on using more right speech, and to hold back on the labels that are so easy to put on a person. I want to be able to use compassion all of the time, and to be a better person today than I was yesterday. And I want to be more like my mom was.

She was someone who always gave of herself, and put others first. She always had a smile, and could make anyone feel cared for. If she gave you a hug, it was full of love, and could make everything better. She managed to touch people near and far, and had many friends that she had never met. She was also quick to forgive and forget.

My point I guess, is that life is too short, and I want to spend the rest of my life working at being a better person. I need to get better at smiling at my anger and accepting it, because then I can let it go. I need to get better at showing those I love how much I appreciate them, and how blessed I am to have them in my life. I want to share Kung Fu, as it is such a huge gift to have been given. I want my children to be loving, caring people who make a positive change. But it all starts with me, and how I choose to live each day.

 

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It started with no shoes

I work downtown, and when I leave the building at lunch, I enjoy people watching. We wonder where they are off to, marvel at the interesting outfits, and smile at the busyness. However, one day last week, a man strolled by, and it took a few seconds to realize that he wasn't wearing shoes. That started a conversation about the homeless/ or less fortunate, and what is out there for help, but really it's not about just giving someone shoes, or clothes to help them stay warm(although that does help). It boils down to mental illness, a lack of resources, and the stigma that surrounds it.

We had the opportunity to perform a lion dance for the Rotary Run for Life yesterday. Each year it is a blessing to be able to support the suicide prevention program in our community. We need to be brave enough to ask if someone is suicidal, and we need to be strong enough to help ourselves and others get past the stigma.

So how do we get past the stigma? The first step, is to learn more and to talk about it. Talk about it until you are comfortable with it. Mental illness affects more people than we can imagine, but it's invisible, so it's easy to ignore. But I know, that with empathy and compassion, we can make a difference.

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