Record your numbers!

Usually my posts are upbeat and I try to put a positive spin on them but not this one.  There is one thing that I have been failing to do.  Record my numbers consistently and because I am missing out on my numbers, they are falling behind. 

I can look back and see where this downward slide started.  I missed 1 or 2 days a week, than it was every other day, next thing it was an entire week of missing recording my numbers. 


I try to remember the AOKs, the SU/PU, the number of forms and rounds of sparring, but I am missing so many by not recording them daily (minimum daily). 


So please take a look at your frequency of recording and if you are missing a day here or there, catch yourself now.  If you have let a week slide, start recording daily.  If you have missed a month, start today.  I have to address this now otherwise it will be Chinease New Year and I will be at these same numbers.


Record your numbers and see you on the mats!

Busy week!

This week began with a road trip for work.  It started on Sunday with an awful drive to Calgary (wind and rain), and by Wednesday I had drove to Brooks, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Calgary and Red Deer.  I met my new staff and clients face to face, and even though there was a lot of driving, these meetings are so vital in creating relationships that changes the way you interact with each other.  I was worried that I was going to miss out on my KungFu but because I was aware of that, I got in my pushups/situps/hand form reps/a run and a walk.  

I was back home for Wednesday's class where Mike, Nate, Mr and Ms Bjorkquist, Ms Burke and I all received our brown belts.  Woohoo! This group (which Nate just joined) has been together for our green, blue, and brown belts.  Ms. Sollinger was with us for awhile but he has now leapt ahead (its so great to watch his progression).  Its been such an experience to work with these great people.  We push and pull each other, learning along the way and enjoying each minute (even the gruelling ones).

We just finished a wonderful weekend with family and friends.  As most already know, it was Nathan and Eagles Grade 9 grad on Friday night, went to Sanshou class, then my entire family was over Saturday, watched Nate at his first every ball game (could only watch for a bit but got to see him score a run).  Sunday morning was Katie's confirmation where we added more family and friends for Father's Day lunch at our place after the confirmation.  It was busy, chaotic, cramped but so very awesome.

During a class, Sifu Freitag had reminded us to acknowledge and cherish the family and friends and the good things that we have in our lives.  It was a great reminder and I tried very hard to look at things differently this weekend.  I went to the ball game instead of worrying about what I had to do back home.  I let my family and friends help me and enjoyed the time while we worked together.  I just took time to relax and enjoyed the people around me.

You have heard this from me before, we are all busy!  Make sure that you are busy doing the things that enrich your life and surround yourself with people who bring you joy.  I am lucky to have these at home, at work, and in Kung Fu!  Thank you for the reminder Sifu, its easy to take these for granted.

What does I Ho Chuan mean to me?

What does I Ho Chuan mean to me? 


This was a question that was asked at our last team meeting.  I have been a part of the I Ho Chuan team for 3 years now, so this should be easy to define but it is not.  The I Ho Chuan program and the Ultimate Black Belt requirements are designed to allow students to reach mastery. 


So after 3 years am I a master at anything? 
I know that each year I am able to accomplish more physically and mentally than the year prior, but is this mastery? 
I know that each year I have removed more and more mediocrity from my life, but is this mastery?
I know that I have made and continue to make changes in my personal life that would not have been done without this journey, but is this mastery?
I am no where near being able to say that I have mastered even one element of my I Ho Chuan requirements, but I am closer than I was last year and more than the year before that.


I Ho Chuan has taught me to never give up, to reset and start again when needed, to identify and eliminate mediocrity, to know that I am only accountable to me but I also have a team to help me along the way.


So...What does I Ho Chuan mean to me? 


The I Ho Chuan program is my journey to mastery and I am grateful that it is a hard but attainable journey.  I would not appreciate the changes occurring to me along this journey if it was easy.  These changes are transforming yet sustainable and for that I am most grateful. 


See you on the mats!

Opportunities taken

This year we have been given a variety of opportunities through seminars offered.  I missed out on the first one hosted by Sifu Beckett and regretted it.  I didn't want to miss out on an opportunity again so I joined the Lion Dance and fitness seminars.  The experiences of both have added to my day to day Kung Fu, both mentally and physically.


Saturday was the Farmer's Day parade and I was able to be in a lion during the parade.  Hearing the kids oooh and awe when you passed by made me smile.  It made me want to be the lion.  Not a person under the lion.  I wanted to bring smiles to the people watching.  The young and the old. It makes me want to work harder so I can do the dance longer and better.  It was a great day but this would have not been possible without the Lion Dance seminar.


While we did the lion seminar, it also solidified that Kung Fu is not just an individual journey.  From Lion Dancing, Dragon team, Pandamonium, Chinese New Y ear,  I Ho Chuan team, open training, etc we are a part of a team.  Each person's journey is unique but it is never done alone. 


See you on the mats!  (And I can't wait for the next seminar!)