There are Two Things that can Make this World Better

I've had a few things going around in my mind over the last few weeks, but I'm not sure how to phrase it all. One of the first things we are taught is "what does kung fu teach?". Normally when I ask this question I get the same answer I gave to the student- discipline and respect. But, when I ask what is discipline and respect, and why is it so important, I often get crickets as an answer. And so, I will do my best to define it and to explain to some degree why they are so important.

In this case, discipline does not necessarily refer to the negative connotation. Its not only a case of "do 30 push ups" after someone forgets to bow, or talks too loudly, or decides to show up late to class. It is also the ability to motivate yourself to do those push-ups, in an effort to better yourself body and soul. Its the ability to devote yourself to what you happen to be doing at the moment, to complete the task to the very best of your ability. Its the motivation behind everything we do in an attempt to become better workers, employers, practitioners, spouses, individuals. Without it, we will become stagnant, ignorant and loose all sense of accountability and responsibility.

Respect does not stop at bowing at the door or remembering previous or current masters of our art. It shows esteem for those around you as well as for yourself. Its what makes you choose to acknowledge the feats of others, or like discipline, it can be what motivates you to choose a healthy lifestyle, to listen to others before prematurely judging them. If given respect, it can do wonders for your self esteem, it can make you smile, it can make your day. To show another respect is to acknowledge them as individuals, with unique abilities and unique ideas. You know yourself, what you are capable of and how things affect you- why wouldn't you want to be respectful of others if you know that's what you yourself would want?

Discipline and respect can be seen on every level, from showing up to class on time, to finding a garbage can rather than throwing it out the car window, to becoming active politically, to helping those with no homes or warm clothing, to smiling at a cashier.

The things we teach in kung fu are meant to last beyond the kwoon. You cannot be taught kung fu in a week long seminar, or in a month or in a year. Even if you learn every move, every kick or block or escape or form, you will not know kung fu until you understand the importance of discipline and respect, and understand how they can touch every aspect of your life. It's a life long process, striving to become a better martial artist by becoming a better worker, employer, practitioner, spouse, individual. It does not stop once class is over, or you get injured, or you receive a black belt. It only becomes more important as you come to understand it.

Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day

Today has been... rough. I was no showed by employees, had to cancel two jobs (one twice), deal with grumpy contractors, pay $460 for one single tire since I ran over a piece of shrapnel the size of a small country, I think I broke my back and a strut on a back country road, I had to deal with a company car accident (not me, and no one was hurt) (but the van is a write off), and I just burnt my tongue on my supper.

But... class was great, the night is beautiful, and I have a dog curled up in my lap. Today has been great.

Or an Astronaut...

I am still in process of deciding what I want to be when I grow up. The problem is, now that I'm older I can't just say "I want to be a fire truck!" without first thinking it through, what education do I need to become a fire truck, where would I work as a fire truck, do I need to move as a fire truck, oh, wait, I'm human, not a truck.

I can list several disciplines that I'm interested in, but the problem is, am I willing to do what is required to follow through? If I need to move across the country, am I willing to? If I need to take night courses, sell my car, quad, holiday trailer to pay for tuition, will I? Am I willing to take 2 steps back before I can take one forward?

Despite being made of organic materials, I think being a fire truck would have been simpler and easier.

(Scary) True Story

I often have dreams, as well as nightmares, about kung fu. My dreams are probably fairly common- I kick butt with cool weapons or I can jump from tree to tree like Chow Yun-Fat. My nightmares usually consist of my students deciding to go crazy, climbing the walls, screaming & yelling and hanging from the rafters on the same day Sifu Brinker decides to give a surprise visit, and there I am yelling at some random kid to quit beating on an adult, all the while Sifu is giving me the eyebrow glare, with a 'tsk tsk' finger wag.

Then there's what I dreamt last night- completely and utterly failing the test for my next stripe.

And it wasn't that I had bad technique on my side heel, or broke my hand on a board. It was... Tai Chi. My nemesis. Oh how I both love and loath you.

It was grading day, there we all were, gathered in the old elementary school gym (that's always the setting for these dreams). There were so many second degrees going for third. Strangely, several were black belts from years past, several from now that are still first degrees, one was even Spock. Yes, Dr. Spock, pointy ears, overly logical and formal with a bad hair cut. And if I didn't achieve my 3rd, he'd be standing to my right instead of two rows back.

Spock and all the others were asked to perform the Tai Chi form together. They did, most of them. Many could not make it through the form, and I could see Sifu Dennis docking points off for whatever was not sufficient or for what they didn't know. Then, I went, all by my lonesome, doing great at first, then struggling, then utterly forgetting everything I knew. Oh the shame.

Then, mercifully, I woke up. It was 5am, I had to get up for work in an hour, but now I'm sweating, my heart is pounding and my mind is reeling. Oh how do I go back to sleep when I'm all wound up?

Then (this is all a true story) I remembered something Sifu Brinker said in the last UBBT meeting- "if you think you're too busy and don't have the time, I'll show you how to set your alarm one hour earlier". Well, by golly, I had woken up one hour earlier and now I'm extremely motivated, after that scary dream!

Guess what I did... how'd you know? And, today seems a bit brighter now. Brighter than yesterday, and definitely brighter than 4:59am this morning.

Kudos

I have two friends who are leaving today for the UK to compete in something called Mongol Rally 2001, "16,000km of adventuring bliss through deserts, mountains and steppe tackled in a tiny car your Granny would use for shopping. The Mongol Rally is hurling yourself at 1/3 of the Earth’s surface in woefully unsuitable vehicles to see what happens".

I have to say kudos to them for taking up something like this, where there are no prizes for first or last, only an opportunity to raise money for charity and a chance to travel across multiple countries where no one knows who you are and you know nothing about.

I wish I had the courage to do something like this. They're leaving behind their friends and family for two months, and I'm sure they will come home if not with an accent, with many new expressions and stories.

Its amazing. Good luck to you guys!

If anyone is interested, their website, built by Steve (one of the two guys going) is http://silentnoise.ca/mongolrally/

Apologies

I admit, very little has been accomplished over the last two months, June specifically. All my numbers are suffering, my training has suffered and as Sifu Brinker has recently posted, guilt is setting in.

Hopefully July will be the turning point. Things have cleared up, my family is back to some degree of normalcy and I've finally put in a full work week, the first since May. Mind you, it was a long weekend, so technically I only worked 4 days. Oh, and I had to leave early on Monday.

Regardless, I miss training, both the physical movement and the family feeling, and all the mojo that comes with walking into the kwoon. I'm looking forward to Friday.

Motivation

What is your motivation? Why are you here? What is it that causes you to show up to class, day after day, month after month, year after year?

Not everyone has the same wheel driving us. Sometimes, this wheel changes. Personally, I think we need to know what it is that motivates us, what could motivate us, and what we need to motivate us. I know what motivated me when I was 16 no longer applies, and what I use as motivation now never even occurred to me then. This is not necessarily bad, we all change with time as does our thought processes, our personality and of course, our motives.

Additionally, not all of us know truly what it is that motivates us. Or alternatively, what does motivate us may not be working as well as we would like. Maybe, we are not motivated at all, or we are extremely motivated and progressing great. Perhaps its

So, what is it? Do you want to increase your independence, or maybe your conditioning? Maybe its a way to become a strong role model for a child, or maybe your ego is whats driving you?

Now, how far will that motivation get you? Because its true, some motives make it further than others. Some will get you to blue or brown, some to black, others will be endless. Again, keeping in mind things change with time. By the time you get to blue or brown, something can change and all of a sudden you are capable of anything, in regards to your motivation.

The key is to recognize where it is you stand. I've seen a lot, been through a lot, where I can't help but gain motivation or lose motivation, put in a rut or maybe I put myself there, and then I find myself crawling out. Regardless, know where you are at and you will better understand how to get to where you want to go.

Seven Days Without a Shower, And I'm Happy

I am currently sitting in the middle of a bush somewhere in Athabasca County, and I haven't had a real shower for a week, I have a slight sunburn, several new scar inducing cuts and wounds, but I an more than content. Right now I'm the only one here, Nick and his brother Matt are off playing somewhere. I caught myself breaking out the dance moves to the local radio station, playing everything from Golden Earring to AC/DC to Rihanna. My dog added her own moves and tail wags, completing the spectacular duet.
Sometimes, simplicity is the answer. Don't become bogged down by details or stress, live to make yourself happy, be honest about what that is, and take it from there. Me, I feel best when I see the lightbulb above a students head, when I throw a stick for the dogs, and when I'm burried deep in a bush with limited water, hot dogs and a lot of mud on my quad fenders.

Hot Sauce

I've been denting the couch for the last three days, but I've managed to drag my butt to work today. This still doesn't mean I'm in a talkative mood, however. Nicks cure isn't working very well- chicken soup with hot sauce. Doesn't taste too bad, though. Who woulda thought.

My Car Doors Were Frozen Shut With Mud

Sorry, I did had a post prepped, all about the signs of spring but then everything disappeared under a blanket of snow.

So, new list; How You Know You Live in Alberta
1. Two days of snowfall in the middle of April, the day after you rake your lawn.
2. You turn on the heat in your car in the morning, and open your windows en route home.
3. Your dog has a muddy underbelly and snowballs on her feet all at the same time.
4. You feel bad for the first few geese you see.
5. One day you're practicing spear in the driveway, the next day you're shoveling the driveway.
6. I'll be able to post my signs of spring tomorrow.

Happy April Everybody!

Sister Sledge- They Know What I'm Talking About

This was something that came up once in a UBBT meeting, and I was reminded again this last Friday.
Its true that the kwoon affects us, that when you're there you can feel a connection to the room and to the people in it. When someone is missing, it feels different. When someone is there that normally is not, it adds to the mood and to the overall effect the kwoon has. It's great.
I'm not exactly shy, but I do not normally approach strangers for no reason. In class however, when we have new blackbelts or long lost blackbelts return, I don't feel like I'm approaching a stranger, I'm approaching a peer and family member. Conversation is usually easy, usually Kung Fu related, and always stimulating in some way. I'm not shy.
I like this. I like how we can all connect easily, how we do connect even if I've never talked to the individual before. At work, I meet new people everyday in a professional manner. I'm not shy then either, but its disconnected and just part of the job description to me. Even if I don't talk to a specific individual in class, I don't feel that I need to to feel a connection. Just being in the same room, training towards the same goals is enough.

Sunshine & Lollipops

Good news- Nicks mom was misdiagnosed, and although she still has some health issues to overcome, she should be around for a longtime yet. We went out for supper last night with her and her husband, to celebrate Matts (Nicks brother) birthday, and it was good to see her, even if there is only 97lbs of her.

They still do not know what she has. There are no signs of cancer in her blood, so they have ruled that out. They need to do another biopsy (the fourth now) and then maybe we'll know what is going on. I still have faith in medical technology, but I have to admit its been rattled as of late.

When I Grow Up, I Want to Be a Hyena

After discussing the diet tracking with Sihing Wiebe, I have learned a lesson about myself- I don't eat, I scavenge. I mean, look at my entries, there is no rhyme or reason to what I eat, I eat what happens to be closest at that time. Who eats a bun and a cheese slice- separately?!?

I think I can write a Christmas carol right now. Sing with me!

Fiiiive cups of coffeeeee!
Four black plums
Three chocolate cookies
Two bowls of cereal
And a processssed cheeeeeese sliiiiice!

I always knew I wasn't a saint when it came to my diet, but I never realized how random my diet is. Even if I'm not often eating greasy or fatty food, I doubt I have any balance to my diet- one day would be all fiber, the next all fruit, the next all cookies (they are their own food group).

It definitely teaches you to me mindful throughout the day.

(Unity with Vigor) A Dozen Energizer Bunnies in a Row, All Hitting Their Drum at the Same Time

Last night we were working on breakfalls, so I had my students line up and start slapping the mats. Not doing breakfalls, but just kneeling beside the mat and smacking their hands over and over and over. A few of them gave me funny looks, probably wondering why I'm making them slap the floor, but they also are not going to quickly forget the lesson.

When it comes to teaching, I have no shame. If prancing around the gym is going to help them with their center, then that's what I'll do. If pretending I'm the Energizer Bunny will help them remember the meaning of Hsieh Chein, then give me the floppy ears. If creating new words for the English language will help get my point across, bring on the grammar police.

I have rug burn on both my forearms from throwing all my students, my hip is bruised and my knee got twisted sometime during the escapade, but they now have some experience with effectively breaking their falls, a better understanding of the importance of landing without injury, and they had fun. That's the name of the game, right?

The Dishes Need Scrubbing, That Spider Looks Intimidating, The Cat is On My Lap...

This UBBT thing can be very overwhelming. I work on my forms, but in the meantime my push ups are a disaster. I come home and ask myself, what to do? Do I do a few reps of Mlong Kuen, do I read my book, do I work on the renovations, or do I tackle the heap of laundry?

I spent my short weekend working on my goals, but you can't see the dent. Saturday I caught up on laundry & housework. Sunday I got called to work, then came home and spent some time with Nick. Monday I worked on the renovations and took my dogs to my parents to run- both of which are goals. Tuesday night I tried to catch up a bit on my forms reps- it helped.

But its strange, I felt guilty on Monday for not doing a single form rep, but I did work on my goals. I see that I'm behind on reading- do I sit and read my book, do I choose shorter books, or do I work on Tai Chi? Do I look for an evening course to learn American Sign Language and give up my Tuesday/Thursday training? Or, do I stay home one night and spend time with Nick, who I see for maybe an hour a day, who works 12 hour days, 6 days a week and who is asleep before I get home from classes?

Also, with all the form repetitions, I'm identifying bad habits and breaking them, all the while forming new shiny bad habits. I know you train so you can react on instinct, and your brain is not required. However, I need my brain fully engaged to make it through Da Mu Hsing in a technically correct manner.

The UBBT is absolutely helping with my creativity. I can find any excuse not to do a push up- the dog is in the way, I should do Mlong Kuen, I need to vacuum first, I just showered, my back aches, the microwave is beeping, Nick is talking to me, the cat wants in, the cat wants out, the dogs want out, the dogs are hungry, Nick is hungry, I'm hungry, my book looks lonely, my walls look dirty, I'm teaching, I'm learning, I'm working, the dryer is beeping, the plants need watering, the drive needs salting, the phone is ringing, that peanut needs shelling, shall I go on? You know I can...

Boy, I understand why its called Ultimate and not just Mildly Extreme or the Somewhat Difficult Challenge.

I feel overwhelmed, but at the same time I can see that I'd be lost without the UBBT. Maybe one of my goals should be to take a time management course!

I Dub This Post Short

Congratulations to all the promotion recipients!

I'm confused as to where my UBBT is at. I'm training more than ever, 6 days a week in a formal setting, in addition to the at home training. I find myself strategizing in an attempt to bring my numbers up. I'm wishing for one full day with no one around and nothing to do but Mlong Kuen and push ups. I feel happy with my progress in my forms, but then I look at my numbers and feel a twinge of despair.

Hmph. I'm going to go do a couple reps of Mlong Kuen in the back shop.

My Green Marble

Everyone has been lectured on the importance of proper technique, body alignment, flow. This goes beyond how fast you can move or how much power your muscles can generate. All these years of training are to develop body awareness, to have to ability to feel how you are moving, feel how your body is aligned and to then translate that into proper technique.

Without proper technique, your skeleton is not supporting your power and you cannot achieve proper flow. Instead of being limited by the amount of power you can generate or how quickly your body can move, you become limited by the amount of force your joints and ligaments can withstand. Example- I judge my technique by mentally putting it up against a brick wall. If I am practicing an overhand punch, I have two possible outcomes; a) I have proper technique, my body, my skeleton and my flow are supporting my movements, and I blow a hole through the brick, or b) I lack body awareness, the bones in my arm, shoulder, core are not aligned and not supporting my movement, and therefore I break my knuckles, hand, wrist.

It does not matter how fast you are or how strong you are if you lack body awareness and technique. You just hurt yourself faster and more efficiently.

Remember that Kung Fu is over two thousand years in the making. It is not, for example, a new car model, where the glitches have yet to be discovered and fixed, where road testing is required. Kung Fu has been tested and tweaked and has evolved into what it is now. The theory is sound. And the great thing is, it will only continue to get better.

Kung Fu is limited only by the limitations imposed on it by those who practice it and those who teach it. This is why it is so important to constantly strive to better ourselves and our technique. We have limited time on this green marble, and therefore we will reach a time when we cease to improve. This is a scary thought for me- I don't want to admit that my time is limited when it feels like I will never be without Kung Fu and I have all the time in the world. But I don't, and I have to strive to make the most of what I have.

A New Respect

I have a new respect for the disabled- for the last two days I've been running around half blind and squinting. On Tuesday I had a consultation for laser correction for my eyes. They had to dilate my eyes, and as a result I was light sensitive, couldn't see anything closer than 6 feet or further than 20, every light source had a halo or whited out my vision. I thought it was neat at first- my eyes were bigger than my cats, we had staring contests all day yesterday.

Back to the point, it took a lot to get used to it. I couldn't drive and I couldn't see a computer screen. Even now, I have to concentrate to see what I'm typing.

I know there is a challenge on the UBBT regarding this- go blind for a day, mute for a day, in a wheelchair for a day. I wasn't even blind, and it was hard. I could still use on my eyes, as fuzzy as they were, but I still had to rely on others for some things. I can only imagine the hardships that come with losing your sight, speech, hearing, ability to move.

On a high note- I will be officially glasses free next Thursday! Whoot!

First Week of 2011

So, its been a rough week all around. I had a good first few days, but then all heck broke loose and I have to say I have some catch up to do.

The only words of wisdom I have right now is go hug your ma and pa, tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.

Love you, mom and dad.

Happy 2011

This is my first post of the new year, and my first post with the UBBT 8 team. I want to list my goals, and maybe explain the logic behind them a bit.

1. 50,000 P-U's and S-U's

2. 150 reps of 12 different forms- I'm picking a different form every month, thereby hopefully keeping them all dust free.

3. 1000 reps of Mlong Kuen- part of advancing as my own martial artist it to strive for mastery. Picking a form from outside our original Kempo style is out of my comfort zone, therefore perfect for this challenge.

4. 80% attendance at Tai Chi, 80% at I Ho Chuan and 85% at blackbelt classes- something I should strive for anyways, now formalized

5. Grade for third degree- self explanatory

6. Body for Life- shudder

7. Learn a new language- something I always wanted to do, but never made time for

8. 99 laps of swimming in 40 min by years end- I am NOT a strong swimmer!

9. Walk the dogs 210 times- having a big yard, I tend to not walk them enough

10. Finish the living room- going on 5 years of renos is starting to get ridiculous

11. Compete with my spear form in May- I strongly dislike competing

12. Journal minimum of once a week

13. Contact a UBBT member minimum once a week- inspired by Sifu Regier :)

14. 250 reps of the full Tai Chi form- wish me luck

15. Read 20 books


Thats it. Cheers, and happy new years everyone!