Attitude vs Aptitude

What are the differences between attitude and aptitude?

Dictionary.com states attitude is :  manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, especially of the mind

Attitude is something that you "feel", it is internal.  It is how we approach things and how we deal with things.  It is our "mind" set.  So how does that differ from aptitude?

Dictionary.com describes aptitude as: capability; ability; innate or acquired capacity for something; talent

The words that grabbed me from this definition initially was "talent".  Right away I thought it was something your naturally talented at, something that might come easy to someone.  But then I looked again.  New words popped out... "acquired capacity"  and "capability".  I combined them to "acquired capability" and that changed things yet again.  

Instead of trying to describe the differences between attitude and aptitude, I found the linkages.  Because a positive ATTITUDE ("mind" set and "disposition") leads to APTITUDE (the "ability" to "acquire capability") which can be found in both the physical and mental parts of KungFu.  Developing these in KungFu, allows you to confidently use them in all areas of your life!

So when you feel like you are struggling with your aptitude, do a reset of your attitude and see where it leads.

See you on the mats!

Renovations

We have been in the mist of renovating our house and getting ready it ready so we can list it.  Again I find myself wondering why am I doing all the changes NOW that I should have done over the last 13 years.  There are two types of renovations,  those to make it look better, and those that dive deeper and fix the foundational layer.

The funny thing is I was it made me think how renovations relates to KungFu and my journey.  There are changes that I can do to make something look better  immediately.  Similar to putting on a fresh coat of paint in your house.  I think of these as lowering a certain stance in a form, putting in a cool move for my weapons form, or making sure that there is intent when I am kicking and punching.

Then there are the renovations that take more work, that fix the foundation.  No different than when you tear up the tile floor and find out you need to repair the subfloor.  You could just tile over it and pretend you didn't see it or you fix it and no one will know that you put in this work but it builds a better foundation over the long run.  This is what I am working on in KungFu.  Saturday I practiced and practiced and practiced Kempo.  I have always tried to get that snap (you know the one I mean) by using rotation and force.  While using force, I have lost out on so many other things.  Flow, stances, center of balance, etc.  So Saturday was back to basics while I lowered all my stances (which then helps my balance - who knew LOL), and worked on the two handed rotations trying to build on flow.  I will work on the foundations and then I can work on the fine tuning to making it look even better.

There is another comparison to home renovations that I can relate to as well.  Some people are just really good at doing them and can do something perfect the first time.  They can lay a floor in a few days or they can install a new deck over a weekend and it looks great.  I am envious of these people because they make it look so easy.  Yes they work hard, but it never looks like its an effort.  This is again the same as KungFu.  In both KungFu and home renovations, I am NOT that type of person.  I have to fight every step of the way.  I will need to do it once, realize its not good enough and try it again.  I analyze every step.  Both of these journeys though will be mine.  I may not have the awesome forms of Sihing Meier, or the grace and flow of Ms Tomie, or the tenacity of Ms. Bjorkquist, or the natural aptitude of Ms Burke, or the sheer guts of my daughter Ms Kohut (I have picked on the females of my class but I could have easily put many different names in each of these categories) but it doesn't mean I can't get there eventually.  I just means that I need to keep trying and working hard on it.

We are not all the same, but like renovations, we are unique, mixed with a little blood, sweat and tears.  And don't wait for a reason to make your changes, do them today!

See you on the mats!

Today

I always said that time started flying faster once we had children.  This was very evident when I sat back seat while Simon drove home with Nathan beside him.  They were the laughing and having a great time talking and just being brothers and teenagers.  It felt like yesterday that they were toddlers. I am proud of everything they have become and look forward to see what is in their future.

But this week was a sad week for other parents who lost teenagers.  I cried when I had heard about the accidents, thinking about what the parents, siblings, friends and family must be going through.   I went home and hugged all my children.  So this weekend we took some extra family time and just enjoyed it.

Realize that you can take nothing for granted.   We are always looking into the future but we cannot lose today wishing for tomorrow.  So plan for your tomorrow but get there by focusing on today.  Enjoy your today, live your today, don't waste any minute of today.

The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.
- H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

See you on the mats!

10K - One step at a time

I had posted in December that one of my goals this year is to do a 10K run. Here is my update:

History:  For 2 years I had 5K as a goal and never did it so why not push myself and do 10K.  Lets start by saying I have never been a runner.  I did 2000m in Grade 7 once but that was the extent of my running career. 

Why:   I looked at my goals to find out why would I have this goal and I did not give any reason.  So why?  I have wanted to try running which is why I had the 5K as goals but if I really wanted a challenge, than why not raise the anti.  Nathan and Eagle were doing the Sun Run with school so why not join them.

Planning: I started a walk/run program I found on line and did that a few times. When that was not going as I planned, I signed up for the Online InTraining Program which also registered me for the Vancouver Sun Run in April.  I was ready to go.

Starting: The start date came ... and went ...and then I bruised my ribs and instead of letting them heal, I decided I would start the program (I know, not a smart move).  Well that put me on the sidelines for another couple of weeks.  Now I was getting really behind as I should have been on week 5.  Finally I was healed and ready to run, so I figured "I don't need to start on week 2" and went right to week 6.  FAILURE!  I made it half way through and then my knees started to tighten up.  But what I did learn was to stop and walk for the rest of the time. This allowed me to not to be injured and to take a huge reality check.

Ok  Really starting:  I went back a few weeks and started at the end of Week 2. I figured I could just accelerate my weeks.  Now Monday was Week 3 Day 1 and today was Week 3 Day 2 and so far its feeling pretty good. I was planning to double my weeks until I caught up but I am going to relook at this as well.  A small increase may not get me totally caught up but I will be close and I will be less likely to be injured so that is my new plan.

How am I feeling:  Nervous? Oh heck ya!  The Sun Run is only 46 days away.

What keeps me going:  I wish I could say that I could do this on my own but the best motivator that happened was finding a running partner.  Knowing that I will have someone to run with makes me get out routinely and want to succeed.  We really need to have partners that will help motivate us and give us that extra push in all things that we do.

See you on the mats! 

Mindfulness and Journaling

One of my personal challenges was to give up sweets and coffee except for Sundays.  I have a sweet tooth so I knew this challenge would be hard but this has been harder then what I was expecting.

My first two weeks I had a slow decrease in weight (well except for Sundays) but this week it changed.  Maybe it's just a "plateau", yeah right!  For the first two weeks I also kept track of everything I ate and I didn't do that this week.  When you don't log your food intake (or at least be mindful of it), it is easier to eat things without really thinking. 

Once I really looked back, I noticed that I had substituted salty for sweet.  I ate more chips than I have in months, one handful here, one handful there.  In one way I have kept my challenge but the reason for this challenge was to eat better and hopefully with that, lose weight.  That is the reason that this will be a tougher challenge than just giving up sweets and coffee.

We have talked about resets, and how sometimes you have to do them daily or weekly.  I have only had one reset but I do find that I need to be mindful every minute of every day.  The more that I am mindful and journaling what I am eating, the more I am mindful and journaling the rest of my actions, and when I am mindful and I journal, I do more. 

See you on the mats!