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!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Saturday, November 15, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
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?
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?
Monday, November 3, 2014
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.
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.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Read Me Repeatedly, Khona!
Well, thought I'd let everyone know I'm not dead. I had the flu for a couple days which evolved into one heck of a bout of bronchitis, which I'm still battling but I'm on meds and things are looking up. Missing so many classes has not been enjoyable- it really is easy not to do anything when you feel ill and can't walk across the yard without wheezing and coughing.
My lack of participation these last couple weeks has got me thinking about what I want to do differently next year. Oddly enough, it's the same things that I wanted changed this year but just didn't. So logically, its my approach and commitment levels that need an adjustment. So, how to do this? I have a plan. Oddly enough, its a plan that I've heard about before. It's a strange concept called accountability...
My grand plan is to get one other individual on board to be my cheer team and butt whooper when required. I offer my services as cheerleader and reality checker in exchange. Weekly get togethers if possible, number crunching on a regular basis, running and/or biking buddy moments. The logic behind only one individual is this- too many and getting together gets difficult. Others of course would be welcome to join in, but not necessary. And I'm talking about getting things done other than what we have time for on Fridays. Maybe burn a little more gas but that isn't something I'm not already used to.
I have not given up on this year, but I woefully recognize all the lost and wasted time. I'm good a procrastination. Tangent- I've always done my best when under pressure to meet a deadline, preferably one that is unrealistic. In university I took my prof's advice once and worked on my term paper months in advance, checking and polishing and researching. I almost failed. All other papers that I put together two days before they were due (all one billion pages) I aced. So practice makes perfect. Unfortunately I've perfected the art of procrastination.
So there it is. A grand plan laid out just waiting to be executed. Still I worry, it's not the first time I've decided to change my pace and failed.
Oh, the title is a reminder to me. So I can scroll through my past posts and catch my attention in the future... my past self (which is currently my present self) talking to my future self (which will then be my present self too)... woah, messing with the space-time continuum!
My lack of participation these last couple weeks has got me thinking about what I want to do differently next year. Oddly enough, it's the same things that I wanted changed this year but just didn't. So logically, its my approach and commitment levels that need an adjustment. So, how to do this? I have a plan. Oddly enough, its a plan that I've heard about before. It's a strange concept called accountability...
My grand plan is to get one other individual on board to be my cheer team and butt whooper when required. I offer my services as cheerleader and reality checker in exchange. Weekly get togethers if possible, number crunching on a regular basis, running and/or biking buddy moments. The logic behind only one individual is this- too many and getting together gets difficult. Others of course would be welcome to join in, but not necessary. And I'm talking about getting things done other than what we have time for on Fridays. Maybe burn a little more gas but that isn't something I'm not already used to.
I have not given up on this year, but I woefully recognize all the lost and wasted time. I'm good a procrastination. Tangent- I've always done my best when under pressure to meet a deadline, preferably one that is unrealistic. In university I took my prof's advice once and worked on my term paper months in advance, checking and polishing and researching. I almost failed. All other papers that I put together two days before they were due (all one billion pages) I aced. So practice makes perfect. Unfortunately I've perfected the art of procrastination.
So there it is. A grand plan laid out just waiting to be executed. Still I worry, it's not the first time I've decided to change my pace and failed.
Oh, the title is a reminder to me. So I can scroll through my past posts and catch my attention in the future... my past self (which is currently my present self) talking to my future self (which will then be my present self too)... woah, messing with the space-time continuum!
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Delve Deeply
Open a small portal and delve deeply. I imagine most of you have seen this written on the whiteboard at the kwoon in Sifu Brinkers hand. Sifu Brinker gave us a brief explanation as to what it means- it means that there is so much to learn in a single form or technique or aspect of kung fu that you could spend a lifetime on one and never reach the end. Seems like an exaggeration when you first hear it, but the more that I learn the more I realize the truth in this. We are given a year to repeat a form a thousand times, and hopefully each time we improve a little bit and move a little closer to mastery. The more I learn the more I realize that after a thousand mindful reps I may have a few pieces of the form perfected, but I doubt I'll ever reach mastery. A thousand more after that and I may be ready to tackle the next couple pieces. A thousand more and I'd be ready for the next lesson that form has to offer.
This is what it means to be a true martial artist. Martial arts is a term thrown around so often and so easily that people tend to miss the obvious and overlook the meaning of the words. The term undoubtedly was given to kung fu practitioners by a mindful individual who saw beyond the practice of self defense and development of movements used in combat. A painting by a master artist is layered, thought is given to the piece and each inch of the canvas holds immeasurable secrets and skill. Such can be the practice of kung fu. When asked what is the meaning of the blackbelt many know to answer that it is the beginning and not the end of a journey. So tell me, what is this journey you speak of? Where then is the end? How many of you have really thought though this answer and its implications?
This would almost be intimidating if it wasn't so exciting. So exhilarating. If one day Sifu Brinker told me okay you're done, you've hit the end of the journey, there is no more- I would be heartbroken. I'm thankful that there will always be a road I haven't traveled.
This is what it means to be a true martial artist. Martial arts is a term thrown around so often and so easily that people tend to miss the obvious and overlook the meaning of the words. The term undoubtedly was given to kung fu practitioners by a mindful individual who saw beyond the practice of self defense and development of movements used in combat. A painting by a master artist is layered, thought is given to the piece and each inch of the canvas holds immeasurable secrets and skill. Such can be the practice of kung fu. When asked what is the meaning of the blackbelt many know to answer that it is the beginning and not the end of a journey. So tell me, what is this journey you speak of? Where then is the end? How many of you have really thought though this answer and its implications?
This would almost be intimidating if it wasn't so exciting. So exhilarating. If one day Sifu Brinker told me okay you're done, you've hit the end of the journey, there is no more- I would be heartbroken. I'm thankful that there will always be a road I haven't traveled.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Integrity
The art of kung fu, the art that we are learning, is over two thousand years old. Its been through every challenge and test through time, who are we to think we know better?
I've been asked many times why I haven't branched out, why I'm still at Silent River. It's because of the integrity of the school and its leaders. I've been asked to grade and award the rank of black for students who did not want to go through the process under Sifu Brinker. I refused and will continue to refuse because I believe the line would then be broken and the rank I would award would be meaningless to the individual who received it. Not because I think I'm a poor black belt, but because I have respect for the process I went through an understand its reason. To skip the process would render it worthless.
It is a tough process. But so is university, so is building a career. In each of these the process is what it's about, learning skills and the ability to apply knowledge. I see kung fu as the same. The time it takes to train, learn a form, paint a bridge. It all works to increase our abilities and our knowledge. It works to train our bodies how to move and our minds how to open. To lose the process would mean losing the skills. It would be receiving a degree without attending the courses. What good is that really, other than to have a shiny piece of paper to hang on the wall? We are all willing to invest time to ensure a steady flow of cash. It seems that to many it's harder to invest in our own well being, for reasons I can't fathom.
The integrity of this school we are all apart of is what keeps it strong and thriving and is what allows us as students to thrive as well. If you're drifting, don't let yourself continue to fall away. Come back to this place, it will always be welcoming and doesn't judge. That is one of the reasons I love this place so much, because Lord knows I've been adrift too.
I've been asked many times why I haven't branched out, why I'm still at Silent River. It's because of the integrity of the school and its leaders. I've been asked to grade and award the rank of black for students who did not want to go through the process under Sifu Brinker. I refused and will continue to refuse because I believe the line would then be broken and the rank I would award would be meaningless to the individual who received it. Not because I think I'm a poor black belt, but because I have respect for the process I went through an understand its reason. To skip the process would render it worthless.
It is a tough process. But so is university, so is building a career. In each of these the process is what it's about, learning skills and the ability to apply knowledge. I see kung fu as the same. The time it takes to train, learn a form, paint a bridge. It all works to increase our abilities and our knowledge. It works to train our bodies how to move and our minds how to open. To lose the process would mean losing the skills. It would be receiving a degree without attending the courses. What good is that really, other than to have a shiny piece of paper to hang on the wall? We are all willing to invest time to ensure a steady flow of cash. It seems that to many it's harder to invest in our own well being, for reasons I can't fathom.
The integrity of this school we are all apart of is what keeps it strong and thriving and is what allows us as students to thrive as well. If you're drifting, don't let yourself continue to fall away. Come back to this place, it will always be welcoming and doesn't judge. That is one of the reasons I love this place so much, because Lord knows I've been adrift too.
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