Mischief Managed

Let there be no doubt as to the importance of practice and the basics. One gross miscalculation on my part has left me feeling like a toddler, phoning my mommy because I'm stuck with a t-shirt half way over my head and asking her to please put my hair into a ponytail.

I have never hidden the fact that I suck at right handed shoulder rolls. Or that I dislike flying techniques. Well, now I feel the urge to practice them on a daily basis, but alas I cannot. Not for a good 6 weeks, and I bet I'll be a scared wimp the next time I try.

Moral of the story- practice your basics people! I don't care if you don't like doing such and such, they exist for a good reason. Otherwise you'll be asking your spouse to open your pill bottles and your mother to please feed me, I can't even butter my toast!

android

If you guys can see this it works off android as well.

The Moon Can Wait

Last night I had supper at our neighbors house with their family. Caught up with a few friends, how have you been, whats new, hows the job? I'm starting to hate this question, as I never know how to answer it. When I explain that I haven't gotten a job, that I'm still just at SRKF teaching I get a couple common responses- mostly I get the feeling that they believe I'm freeloading off my husband, letting him earn the bacon as I frolic. When are you going to get a real job? Do something with your life? Why did you give up a sweet job just to muddle with a hobby?

My response to this is a whole other post. I got a new one yesterday that really threw me for a loop. My friend suggested that I start my own school, separate from SRKF, surely your students would follow you? You're smart, you can make it successful, make a living from it. I love her as a friend, but it struck home how much the people around me don't understand me or what I do. I could only shake my head and tell her it would never happen.

Sometimes I feel alone. I've surrounded myself with loving, good people but very few of them can understand that this is not a hobby. I am not wasting my time. I do not like having to defend my choices or my loyalty to the school.

When I was a kid I wanted to do something amazing with my life. I aimed high. I wanted to work at NASA or cure cancer or design the new Burj. As I grew up I saw things around me that I couldn't accept. Arrogance, ignorance, abuse, apathy.

I've been given an opportunity to reach my childhood dream of making a difference. To promote kindness, compassion, empathy, awareness. I'm taking it. I would ask my friends who judge me, what are you doing with your life?

Trying to Move Forward

I'm trying to figure out what motivates me and what holds me still. I know that I suck at self motivation. I know the meetings we have and the classes I attend start off little sparks, but they don't always live past the moment. When they do I don't know what enables it. Like many people I sometimes find it hard to get up and drag myself to class but I do knowing that I'll feel better for doing it. I'm trying to always be in the right place at the right time to ensure that I keep moving forward. Considering the time and effort I've thus far invested in my training it would be ridiculous to waste it by falling short now.

On the flip side, it's hard to find the balance between encouraging teammates and pushing them away. It's not always easy to read someone and know what they need to hear to bring them back. Too much talk turns into white noise, too much pushing can lead to resentment. All I know is that I believe everyone can benefit from kung fu, even if I can't properly voice why they should stay in such a way that will reach them.

It was nice to see that many of us on Saturday, all in the same spot at the same time. Its been a while since that last happened. It reinforces that this is a team, not a solitary endeavor. Some people can excel on their own, but everyone can excel when there is a herd of teammates behind you. And the company is infinitely better.