For the System

Sometimes it's easy to forget that this kung fu stuff we do is an art. It has personality and grows to reflect the individual who is practicing it. The practice of it changes depending on your mood and state of mind. It evolves, sometime for the better, sometimes for the worse. But it always evolves.

As a student I learned long ago that I needed to let go of the constant analysis. Trying to nail down an art using physics and facts is like trying to nail down water. Good luck with the attempt. I learned that the answer will be there when it's needed as long as I train for the system instead of the application. And quite often I have the answer myself, if I just give myself a chance to find it.

Kung fu is personal, yes, however you need a firm grasp of the basics and the system before you can successfully innovate. If you skip ahead and try to modify a technique such as chi sao or calming the ocean before its lessons are firmly in your mind then you'll loose the lesson. One class worth of practice, one week or one month is not enough to solidify a concept. If you are successful in finally understanding the concepts then you will have no need to try and change a technique, you will have the ability to adapt it as necessary. The technique is not the goal. The concepts behind them are.

Investments

I can tell you without exaggerating that the kwoon does literally hold my blood, sweat and tears somewhere in some form. If find that a fairly significant fact for me. It tells me that I have a lot invested into my training; time and effort and everything in between.

There have been times where I've wanted to walk away from it all, thinking life would be much simpler, much easier and less stressful if I did. No one to be accountable to, no one noticing how much I did or didn't practice, no one to answer to when I make dumb decisions. But I've never left. Once I started thinking along those lines I started getting scared, wondering. If I were truly honest with myself, how far would I let myself slide in life?

Not saying that I feel I'd turn into some horrible person. But I know I'd be a less awesome person. I wouldn't be reminded to be active. I wouldn't have the confidence to stand up for myself. I wouldn't have the desire to be kind.

It's a slippery slope. Once you skip that first class, the second is easier, it doesn't matter so much. Once you miss a day of push ups it's harder to complete them the next day. Why does it seem that it's always easy to fall down and so hard to pick yourself up?

Skipping that class or that meeting or those pushups do not relieve the stress. It does not make life easier, simpler or better in any shape, way or form. Completing those push ups make me feel better. Being at class relieves the stress I feel, gives me structure and desire to accomplish great things. All those investments I mentioned, they'll pay off if given the chance.

I'm glad to back on the team. See you where the grass is greener.

2015 2016

I've been catching up on everyone's blogs this morning and felt compelled to mull over the change in the year and the passing of time. I can't say I'm sad to see 2015 end. It sucked. But I also can't see how 2016 will be any different, what, just because I had to change the calendar on the wall? Red heelers mixed with blue heelers instead of just the latter. Big change.

The change in the date is inconsequential. I remember writing about this last year and my opinion obviously hasn't changed. The only real change comes from within, when people feel compelled to "start fresh". Perhaps the date triggers this but only because its a reminder of the passing of time and therefore the lack of or wasting of time. Or, perhaps less negatively, the ability to cherish our time, make the most of our time.

So I suppose it does make sense, that ringing in the new year also signifies an new beginning. It is, after all, the biggest annual reminder of the passing of time. But therein lies the problem- it only occurs once a year. So I say lets build in a few more of these renewal dates. How about once a month. That sounds reasonable, doesn't it? Then once a month we can reinvigorate ourselves, do a spot check and move off again in the right direction if we find ourselves going astray. Sounds solid.

Everyone sees where I'm going here, eh?

If you hear me yelling "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" at our next meeting don't be surprised.

Missed Opportunities

I remember in my school years the teachers always encouraging us to start working on our term papers early, write them out and spend a couple months critiquing them and polishing them. I was never that person, I just sat down and wrote it in one shot after I let my ideas bounce around for a while first. I always did well enough but I tried it once, spend months on a paper that was worth about 50% of my final grade. I almost failed.

I find that I have all this information and knowledge bouncing around in my head. I try to force it out and it won't come. But once in a while something happens and it flows naturally, an answer or a technique or a term paper. Its like a snowflake, everything needed is just floating around in the atmosphere and suddenly, with a drop in temperature, poof. A snowflake forms.

Often the catalyst is a lesson I had yet to grasp, or a phrase that someone says that strikes a cord. Or sometimes it's just a question that was asked of me. But always a catalyst. Which makes me wonder, how many of these chances have I missed? How many times what I not in the right place for a lesson to ring true? For a phrase to be grasped? So many times it was something that was mentioned casually, about the use of a cyclone kick or the complexity of a front thrust. And I can only think about the times I was not listening, not noticing, not at class.

If you open yourself to the people around you there is so much you can gain. I have things I can teach you. You, who is reading this now. I guarantee it. And I know you have things you can teach me. I don't care what colour your belt is or how many stripes you do or do not have. We can learn from each other. Who knows, maybe we'll be each others catalyst for something wonderful. But if one of us lets our ego get in the way we will loose the chance forever.

Just Another Day

I spend this morning with my mother, making batch after batch of pasta, trying different ingredients and types. Double batches of everything so we both could give it a try. The lasagne noodles are currently drying out on the counter.

Prior to grabbing this laptop and I was folding cranes and watching a movie called "42". My dogs are sleeping on the floor and in the chair beside me. My cat stole the chair I was in up until I left it to grab this laptop. He is now sound asleep and I had to relocate.

So why am I telling you about my day? It took a while but the significance of what I was doing finally set in. I thought, cool, today is a good day. And not just because 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything. Sometimes you need to do something that is fun, quality, meaningful. Despite the fear of sounding cliche, something that feeds the soul. Folding cranes is an obvious one, as long as you're aware of what you are doing and why. Spending time with my mommy- self explanatory. Google the movie "42" and that one will make sense as well.

However, today could have very easily fallen into just one of those days in my memory. What I was doing and the awesomeness of it all could have been lost to me if I hadn't had a fleeting thought I managed to hold onto long enough to solidify it. It goes to show how easily meaning can elude you, and the importance of staying in the moment. I imagine someone who has the most fulfilling life possible can feel empty if they never stop to appreciate the events and moments they experience. There is significance in everything around you, if only you choose to stop and smell the roses once in a while.

Anchors

On the inside of my car door is a small patch of yellow paint. Its been there for quite a while, and it isn't wearing off. I could get annoyed by this, I have paint stuck on my car, but I don't. Actually, I smile whenever I notice it.

A year or so ago some of us helped out with a bridge painting project for the town of Stony Plain. We painted a walking bridge yellow. I had paint on my arm when I drove away and it transferred when I propped my arm on the windowsill.

Having a memory anchor like this is a powerful tool. I smile when I see that paint because it reminds me about that day. I remember Sifu Vantuil's two girls laughing and getting paint all over. I remember the Bjorkquists and Kohuts playing ultimate frizbee. I remember a happy day with great people.

The Tiger Challenge can serve as an anchor as well, if you let it. Remember the triumphs and the learning experiences. The work that was put into that day and the benefits of that dedication.

All our events can work this way. That is what they are meant for, for the SRKF family to bond and grow together.

Choice

When I take a step back and listen to what people around me are saying and watch what people around me are doing one thing becomes very clear. Everything that I believe in, that I do and that I am is a result of what I do, what I choose not to do and how I handle the events of my life.

Simple, and I know many of you know this. What I didn't think of until recently is how apparent the results are to everyone around me. I don't know everything about what has shaped you, but I see the results clear as day. I see when it has made you stronger or when it made you hide.

None of you know all of my past or my present state. And no, this is not that kind of blog where I will divulge all my secrets. But despite not knowing, you can see how my decisions have shaped me. It is obvious when I choose to come to class or not, and the effects of my decisions are equally apparent. If I'm there, I get a little better, more confident, closer to where I'm trying to get to. When I'm not, you know I'm struggling somehow, in some aspect of my life. When someone shows me a kindness I know something brought them to that point. When someone shows me malice I know something took them to that place. Strangely enough, the same event can cause both outcomes.

I want to tell you a story. There are two brothers, similar in age and intellect. They come from a broken home, one of their parents left without a word to either of them. The other parent was less than understanding. They have lost both their parents since, both at a young age. Both were affected by a serious childhood illness in some way.

One brother has a wife whom loves him, a home and a job he enjoys. He is for the most part content, working towards building a family, has friends who love and respect him. He is happy.

The other brother has always felt like he was a victim, sites his poor childhood experiences as the reason for his poor decisions in life. His wife has left him, he has alienated many of his friends. He is bitter, he doesn't see how his actions have brought him to this place in his life.

Now, which brother do you identify with? Which would you rather be? Both had the same beginning in life. But they are on very different paths, simply because of how they decided to deal with the events in their lives.

You can thrive if you choose to. Or not. It always comes down to choice.