Plum Blossoms

It's been rewarding to walk up to the kwoon and to glance over and see the trees nicely planted and growing. Thank you to everyone who contributed in this years maintenance week.

What many of you don't know is that those trees were not just planted to enhance the school. They are a thank you and a reminder that we are always growing. They were planted for Sifu Brinker to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of his school. Thirty years. That's how long it's been around. It didn't always look the same but like those trees it's grown from his leadership into what we see now, bearing the fruit of his labour and looking to only get stronger with every passing year.

Okay, thats enough with the metaphors. Thank you Sifu Brinker. It's been your leadership and guidance that has shaped the school and many of us into what you see today. Your knowledge and experience is invaluable, your sincerity and compassion compels us to better ourselves and your willingness to invest yourself in us is deeply, deeply appreciated.

Thank you.

Here's to the next thirty years.

Concepts

Sometimes I find myself getting too wound up in the specifics instead of following the intention. Regarding the stripes, they are created to support specific ideals and to develop certain skills. But it is easy to forget about the why and only worry about the what. It likens to asking how many licks to the centre of a tootsie pop. It doesn't really matter, does it? It doesn't change the journey, only fogs up the road.

The syllabus changes. If it didn't then there would be no chance for evolution. But the curricular ideals have not changed, not since I first started training and I guarantee not since you've started training. If we can keep this in front of us then the uncertainty of the syllabus shouldn't affect how we train and how we approach our goals. Whats our goal? Developing the six harmonies. Know what will help that? These forms. Whats our goal? Developing our vocabulary of motion. Know what will help? Striking these targets or sparring with these drills. Thats what we need to keep in front of us. The specifics are only there to help support the concepts.

In my own training I try to just listen and hear what I'm being told. Which is harder than it sounds.

Update!

So, how's it going? With your requirements, I mean. And life in general, sure!

So, I suck. I have a spreadsheet for tracking my IHC requirements- according to my computer I haven't opened it since June 19. So, you know that I haven't been tracking... which, I know, is a big part of the process. Well, I'm back on track. At least for the last two days. Hopefully tomorrow will make three, Saturday four...

Which sucks. I know I've spent a lot of time on Tai Chi but I have next to nothing recorded. A very few number of requirements I have the ability to look back, blog posts for instance, but that doesn't mean much in the grand scheme.

So, can't be accountable if I don't admit where things are at. Here's to starting again. (And again, and again, and again).

A Lesson in Gratuity, Appreciation & Mindfulness

So this is one of those stories that you probably had to be there to get the full impact. Despite that, I'll try my best to relay its significance to me.

So on Saturday Nick and I attended my niece's tenth birthday. We got home around 6:30, both fairly tired and ready to relax. When I pulled up I saw my cat Jim running up to greet us in the driveway. I was in a rush as I had to turn around and leave again before I could relax, so I never stopped to give him pets or bring him inside for the night.

When I got home the second time Nick was fast asleep. I thought I'd just stretch out for a minute before continuing my day. Alas, I didn't wake up until around 10. Long story short I was up until around 2am calling Jim to come in for the night. He has stayed outside overnight before but it is not a usual occurrence. I was convinced he'd greet me in the morning for breakfast and some love, as he usually does.

Come Sunday, no Jim. We have our coffee, no Jim. We start our day, no Jim. I began to worry and needless to say I put on 19000 steps between 11 am and 3:30pm. All I was thinking about is that I saw him yesterday afternoon. He was right there, alive and looking for love from me and I ignored him, too wound up in have to do's. Finding the coyote scat and seeing fresh, massive paw prints all around our house in the bushes where Jim likes to prowl did not help the thoughts running in my head. A Facebook post went up to the locals, I asked all the neighbours I saw and I walked our road too many time to count.

Then Nick randomly asks me if I feel better now. Why would I? I ask. Because Jim is lounging on the steps. Are you sure that isn't Jack? I'm sure, I was petting him.

I bolt to the front and behold, my cat chitters at me like nothing is amiss.

I wasn't sure whether to snuggle him to death or wring his neck.

Needless to say I'll be much more aware of opportunities as the present themselves and I've been annoyingly ensuring my animals know they're loved. Which is a lesson I will also apply to the humans in my life.

Love you guys!!

Letter to the PM

Dear Prime Minister Trudeau,

I’d like to start by stating that I’m a young woman from Alberta, born and raised here, and I hope to start a family one day and this is the reasoning for my letter to you.

I want to thank you. I can imagine the volume of negative messages and letters you have received, many I’m sure from my home province. I hear it too; it seems I’m surrounded by people who think so much differently than I do. I’ve been ridiculed for my views and so I can only imagine what you must hear on a daily basis.

So I want to thank you for doing it anyways. Creating policies with not only the economy but the environment mind, making decisions with the long term future of Canada in mind instead of only short term gain. We finally have a leader that can see the greater picture, isn’t afraid to base his decisions and actions on what he deems right instead of what will create the greatest profit or what will ruffle the fewest feathers.

As I stated, I hope to be starting a family soon. I want to know that the world my children will inherit will be a hopeful, healthy and honest one. I want to know they will breathe clean air, drink clean water, have happy, stable homes and live without fear of persecution for their beliefs. I cannot put the weight of this solely on your shoulders as it is the responsibility of all people, but I am happy knowing that we have a leader who is helping drive the changes necessary for this world to prosper instead of falter.

So please, continue to do what you know to be right. I may not always agree with you, but I can respect you for living by your beliefs and thinking of the future of this country. People cry for change but cry louder when their status quo is threatened. I’m sure the growing pains will be rough, but without these struggles this country will never advance nor see a better future.

Sincerely,
Khona Rybak
Sandy Beach, Alberta
Canada

There are times in your life when you have decisions to make and those decisions can change your perception. Sometimes you don't even realize you've changed paths until you're a ways down it.

I've had seeds thrown at me for years. This time last year one of the seeds finally stuck. Then there was the challenge set out by Sifu Brinker. That was the sprout.

We live in a world of consumerism and capitalism. Anything that is inconvenient conveniently gets ignored. When you become passionate about something then you cannot ignore the issues that surround it, otherwise you are tying your hands and limiting your ability to make a difference. You have to be open to differences in opinion. Otherwise how do you know your opinion is what's best for you?

With this said, I write this as a narrative of my own experiences and belief and not as a judgement on anyones lifestyles. This is a very personal choice and no one lives in your shoes so no one can judge your decisions.

I've always held the belief that life is sacred. All life, not just human life. I never understood why so many I know hold the belief that a human life is worth more than a dog or cat or any other creature. Why would it when the only difference is in our DNA. A stroke of luck once upon a time. Chloe is programmed to grow fur and chase birds. I'm programmed walk on two legs. We both have language, have emotions and value our lives. We both value each other.

Just because I value her life equally does not mean I value my own any less. No one seems to understand that part.

I started this blog back in 2008 and aptly named it A Dog's Way of Thinking. Although the name changed, my reasoning has not. Dogs are compassionate. They kill out of necessity, not because they are malicious or cruel. You may argue that but when they kill it always has to do with survival and instinct. Their need may change but their instinct is still there.

We used to live like that. We don't anymore. We kill for greed. Industry, currency and convenience drive most of our decisions, not instinct or need. It hurts my heart to think about it. It hurts my heart to think about the suffering I've caused needlessly. I don't want to think about it, but I have to if I am to make a difference. Change starts with one person. In my case, it's me. In your case, it's you.

I'm hesitant to post this, but the way I see it if I don't ruffle a feather or two then I probably didn't say anything that needed to be said.

Girl Without a Season

Every see that movie called The Happening? Where the trees start giving off some kind of pheromone that kills off the human race? Thats my life right now. Except its grass and trees and anything green thats trying to kill me.

The only benefit so far is that I'm awake at some cursed hour and can get some things done before my day starts. Dishes done, laundry in, desk cleaned off, caught up on blogs, second cup of coffee. Oh, and working on my own blog.

I'm looking for the bright side of this and having some troubles. Spending more time with Chuck as the poor guy has the same affliction. He and I are popping Benadryl like candy. Who would have thought a dog could have seasonal allergies? Glad my vet told me Benadryl is safe for pups.

How is this related to my IHC? I have no idea.