I'm Feeling Warm Fuzzies After Writing This

While reading all the short blurbs people had posted on what Kung Fu had done and is doing for them, I realized there are a few universal areas.

1. Empathy
Although this is self explanatory, I'm really beginning to see the results through the UBBT. Some of the things written by the other black belts and students really makes you think, makes you want to help your fellow man, and opens your eyes to the problems and blessings around you. It is your greatest ally when teaching, and it broadens you own mind when you apply it.

2. Strength
This applies to so much more than physical ability. I doubt many people fully understand the magnitude of strength you can draw from Kung Fu, and Silent River specifically. The strength to do push ups or hit the heavy bag are minor when compared to the strength needed to say no or yes, to walk away from a bad situation or a bad relationship, or to follow through with a commitment. I would not have had the strength required to live the life I have if I did not have Silent River as a part of me. I am fully aware that I could have so easily fallen into the same traps people around me have, such as staying with the wrong individual, or giving into peer pressure, or not taking the risks that have paid out so fully. From picking a salad at lunch, to breaking my own heart but knowing that it would get better. The strength I have drawn from the lessons I have been taught in class... it is so much more than I can ever begin to repay.

3. Family
I know this topic had been hit heavily in the last little while, but that is because it really is amazing. Knowing that you really do have an entire school filled with people filled with a sense of belonging. I would happily give my left arm (means more to me than my right) to help a family member. And I know they'd give me their right. I spend more time with the people in my classes than I do with almost everybody else. We are all committed to the same ideals, the same path. Its odd to think that the only reason I know most of you is because I was put in a class when I was nine, a decision made by my parents and following my brother. It really brings into perspective how a little rock you think nothing of can create such big and lasting ripples.

There are more, so many more things that Silent River has done for me. I say Silent River and not Kung Fu because without the school, there is no art. And I have to say, its been the lessons, the people and the life given to me, more than the punches and kicks, that have left their mark.

I Can Tell You the Exact Thought Process I Went Through, But It Might Scare You Away

Several people have told me that my brain works very randomly. I think this is another case of that.

Last night I was sitting, watching a movie with Nick and folding cranes. I have a small mountain of them on my dining room table that I'm quite proud of. Anyways, as I was folding, I became very aware of what I was actually doing. Not the purpose behind the cranes, ie. support peace, but just the folding of the paper itself. I've always been aware of what they are a symbol of. Not so much of what they really are.

Many people have a hard time with origami, understandably. There are some very complicated folds that have to be made in order to create something like an elephant, a vase, or a crane. So my thought was, if we have such a hard time following a preset pattern, imagine the individuals who created the pattern to begin with. The thought, the logical sequence and the time that must have been required to figure out how to make a piece of paper create a desired shape. It reminds me of a rubix cube. To logically understand what twists are required to move one section to a specific location... eek. Only origami would be a hundred times worse. I think there are a lot more Einstein's out there than we know of.

It brought me back into the moment, to what I was doing. Breathe in, breathe out. And it reiterated the idea of noticing the small things around us, and appreciating everything. I couldn't even attempt to create a recognizable shape from a scrap of paper without someone telling me how.

Tying this into my last post- give appreciation and acknowledgment where it is due.

"Go away, I'm looking for the Truth"

I managed to surprise one of my best friends this past weekend. When I asked her to be my maid of honor, she was stunned, which actually stunned me. She said absolutely, but why did I choose her? I have many other friends that either I see more often, who I've known longer and grown up with, or who know me better. But to me, this girl what who I wanted to stand beside me. I don't know many others who have her compassion, her morals and her loyalty. She is a great human being, and I told her so.

Its interesting how the truth can be so openly blatant and obvious, but people miss it. "The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth,'' and so it goes away. Puzzling." (Robert M. Pirsig).

If you've got a buddy like this, acknowledge them. They probably don't know.

Good Golly!

On Monday I was discussing theory with several of my students. I came across the respect vs. discipline question, and although I had to lead them to some different thoughts, I was excited about what came out.

One specific point that was brought up was about self discipline. I had asked them what are some of the ways that they are or can be self disciplined. I think I stumped them. We went over a few things like practicing at home, push-ups, etc. So, I threw in one more- I said "You guys are here". Their response was something like "Yeah, of course. So?". Its the summer holidays, its a Monday night, we all have other things we could be getting done. Yet here you are, willing and eager. Thats pretty gosh darn great!

However, I don't think any of them had ever thought of it that way. Kung Fu is something that they do because they want to, they enjoy it and they get something out of it. This, I thought, is even better!

It takes alot to commit to anything, expecially something that takes so much time, money, sweat, blood and potentially a full lifestyle change. But, we don't see it like that, right?

A Couple of Things....

So, I just finished a post on logic. I think it was boring, so I'm just gonna lay it to the side. And, it involves onions. Really, how good can something be if it involves onions?

On another topic...

I think that my brain works differently than everyone else. Things that seem so black and white to me, so obvious, are lost on people closest to me. Even when I try to explain what I'm feeling or why I reacted to something the way I did, I can't get the ideas through. I get so frustrated, and I'm tempted to pull out the paper and crayons in an attempt to clairify things.

I know part of the issue is that the other person also works on a different level than the rest of the populace. You are a result of your environment, your home life, the lessons you've been taught, the experiences you go through. But only in part. You are also a result of what you choose to do about your environment, home life, experiences. And I have to say, I'm getting a glimpse of how different our minds are, how different our 'life theories' are, for lack of better words. And even though our brainwaves are clashing and cutting eachother off, that does not mean we are not compatible, or that we are really so different.

Another side track. I'm happy to say that even though I did not choose to add the mending relationships to my list, I have recently gotten back two good friends. We had gone astray, for very good reasons. Its been about three years for one, four for the other. What the issues were do not apply here, only that fact that they are both back in my life, and I am supremely estatic about it. The saying that you never know what you're missing until its gone does not apply here. More like I never knew how much I missed them until I got them back.

At the time, a break was the best idea for all parties involved. I don't regret the time away from them, but I realize the value of the time I will now have with them. Sometimes the second time around can be strengthened by the failures of the first. The mending three relationships requirement of the UBBT is absolutely invaluable.