Personal Goals

Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any to post my personal goals...

Personal Goals

Learn a second language (ASL)

Train my dog Chuck using the German system of Schutzhund training

Reduce the amount of coffee I drink and restrict it to 1 cup a day (tea doesn’t count!) Additionally, increase the amount of water to a minimum of 2L a day.

Define the goal of each technique in the curriculum. I want to make this my masters project.

1000 reps of Lao Guar
1000 reps with the chain whip
Learn Sifu Wetters pole form

These may not seem all that difficult to the average person, but some are going to be uber hard for very specific personal reasons. And, I'll admit, I'm leaving something off for personal reasons. So far, failing at the coffee/water goal, failing with the Lao Guar goal. Have some plans in place, such as the deal I've made with some of you over bringing in our journal every Friday so we can nag each other over the sit ups and push ups. Also have a deal with Ms. Gibbons, she'll help me with my chain whip if I'll teach her Lao Guar. Win win for me, as I'll get my reps in either way.

Now, I just have to learn ASL, learn German so I can train my dog, and STOP DRINKING SO MUCH COFFEE! Yeah, that last one is going to be tough.

There are Some Amazing People Out There, Hiding in Plain Sight

Today has proved an interesting day. Back when I had a day job I was in the habit of going out for breakfast before work and picking someone at random, whos breakfast I would pay for before I left. It always made me feel good knowing that some of what I earned was making someone's day a bit brighter. I have since fallen out of the habit, seeing that I no longer have said day job. Today, my mother, my Oma and I decided to go for supper in St. Albert. My Oma, being a tiny 90 year old woman was, shall I say, moving a bit slower than the man who was stuck behind us on the way to the restaurants front door. When I turned to apologize to him he just smiled at me and said it wasn't a problem, he was just going to meet his kids and wasn't in a rush. He was also in uniform, the familiar green camo of the military. I smiled and thanked him for his patience. When I tried to hold the door for him he wouldn't budge, insisting that I go ahead and stay with my family. It was then that I decided I was buying dinner for this man and his children.

I've always thought of myself as being a bit sneaky when required. The man turned right and sat in the lounge while we moved deep into the restaurant, around the corner and out of sight. I then got our waitress to keep an eye on the mans table and to bring me the bill once they've ordered. Our meal arrives, we eat, our bill and his arrives. My mom and Oma go put ahead of me as I pay the bills. As I'm punching in my pin the fellow walks around the corner and sits down beside me. He says, hi, how are you? I see you're doing a random act of kindness? At this point, I look up at my waitress with one eyebrow up and she replies I didn't say a word to him! I look at him and ask how did you know? I'm in the military and worked in intelligence, I have my ways. I'm stunned, I've been caught! He thanks me, and I thank him (he's in the military after all). He continues to tell me a bit about himself. He's the commanding officer of the 4th Canadian Rangers and about to leave town to train a group of recruits up north. He'd like to give me something in return, if I don't mind. Again, I'm stunned. I follow him into the parking lot and he gives me a calendar. In it I learn his name. He never asks for mine.

Now I truly know the value of the acts of kindness requirement. I always thought I did- it spreads a little happiness and love throughout the world. I never understood what it would do for me though. It is just a calendar, but when the man gave it to me I felt thrilled, I felt honored and I felt a little more connected to the big world we all share. I was hoping to make his day a bit better, but he ended up making mine bright.

Take It Into the Next Round

I'm still working off the buzz from the banquet on Saturday. And I think there were a few lessons in there somewhere too. It was everyone's attention to detail that made the night such a success. Not only in the setup and the placement of the tables, but in our performances.you can see the difference between a form just being done and a form someone has poured their heart into. It's in the details. Kudos to everyone, you all did extremely well.

The other lesson, one we can all take with us into the year of the horse, is to push on even when things are going rough or going horribly wrong. We would not have had such a great dance if we hadn't made mistakes. Although we didn't have two dragons, we did have one amazing dragon. If Sifu Playter and myself hadn't messed up the drumming more than once we wouldn't have had the jungle drumming that sounded awesome. If a couple of others hadn't played the tango for fun, we wouldn't have had the idea for the rose.

Let's take these lessons into the year of the horse. Boo yeah.

Don't Be Overwhelmed

I've been having quite a few conversations and have been working with people towards the upcoming performance. Seems to me that everyone is in the same boat- everyone is anxious and worried about their part. I'm not immune either. But I have to remind myself of what Sifu Brinker has been teaching me all of these years- where am I, what am I doing.

Sifu Robinson and I were practicing yesterday with very little progress being made. It was Sifu Hayes who reminded me of this, pointing out that the two of us were not in the moment, at least not both of us at the same time. It's easy to get caught up in the energy of the kwoon, which can be a good thing, but sometimes you have to ground yourself.

Solidarity

Every year in the IHo Chuan has meant different things to me, given me different insights and different tools when it comes to my own training. This year has been no different. This past year has given me the strength to change my priorities even when those changes have led to hardships, but also lead to new opportunities and have empowered me to come a step closer to the person I want to be. Doors have been opened for me that I had never dreamt possible, never even knew existed. I've had the rare and unique chance to train with some of the most inspirational, motivational people out there, to watch others as they grow and strive for mastery. Even beyond my own marginal growth, the growth of those around me has given me the drive to continue my own journey when I was beginning to succumb to mediocrity once again.

This year I had set out with the goal to focus on my own training and growth, and focus less on other peoples journeys. But I've come to realize that although that may work for others, it does not work for me. I'm not the kind of person that is self driven, self motivational. Being a black belt does require one to become more independent in their training. In this aspect I've failed. But in that failing I've started to reflect on my successes, and my success has always come when I've become involved in anothers journey. Not so much that I'm such a help to them, but I gain motivation in my own training when I watch another.

So what have I learned? Believe it or not, for all my solitary beliefs I'm a social creature. I want to continue to surround myself with people like you. Its not so much the program that provides the tools, it is more that the program provides the people that give me motivation and inspiration to utilize the tools I already possess. I've learned the strength of solidarity.

Shout Out

So I sit here, keyboard on my lap, trying to think of what this year's I Ho Chuan has taught me. But my brain is wandering, and I find myself thinking instead of several Kwoon Talk posts over the last couple weeks.

Mr. Smid, you're an inspiration to me. I haven't a clue who you are, how long you've been part of the family or what you look like (besides the tiny google groups picture) but I find myself pondering your posts. If only I had been in the mindset you are in when I was a white belt, oh the places I'd go. Who am I kidding, if only I was in that mindset now! Twenty years later, and I find myself reminded that anyone can learn from anyone. Encouragement can creep up on you anytime, anywhere. Dude, you should be on the Horse Team. You could be the catalyst for that team, if you so choose to be.

Nonsensical Fears

I'll admit, I have mixed feelings about my I Ho Chuan year. It's been so different from last year, the highs have been higher and the lows lower. I've got to know many of you who I wouldn't have otherwise, and that is a definite blessing. Very different from previous years, but such is evolution.

I'm at my most content at the kwoon. I still have issues with performing around others, including practicing in classes. When Sifu Robinson and I are working on our piece I'm constantly aware of everyone else in the room and their reactions. I fear both having everyone stop and watch, in case I'm not up par and I fear when no one watches, maybe we're boring and predictable. It was a shock when Ms. Csillag mentioned we had inspired her. Thank you, it's good to hear.

One thing I have finally figured out- people notice and become inspired not when you're trying to be inspirational, but when you're not. When you're just doing your thing, that's when we're at our best. When you're just concerned with putting the puzzle together, taking one step at a time, getting something done. I still receive positive feedback over my role in last years team. I sure didn't realize what I was doing at the time.