Celebrating my family!

As we sat around the table with family celebrating an early Christmas, I was most impressed with the fact that during the night, every single one of my children sat with me and we had fun together. We talked and joked around.

This last week I have seen my boys stick up for their sister when she was having some social problems. I seen the others support Simon when he was having an anxiety problems.

As parents, we have worked hard to build relationships and foundations with friends and family. Nothing feels better than witnessing it first hand, knowing that something has sunken in.

I am assuming this is the same feeling our instructors have when they see something has finally taken root in their students. Seeing students grow and become confident. That was the reason we walked into the kwoon so many years ago. We wanted our children to have self confidence and I have observed this and so much more in each one of them. I know that we have done our part in this but there have been so many who have also been involved in molding them.  These are the things that I am grateful for this holiday season. 

My family, my friends, my community!

Until we are back on the mats!

Sustainability

This last few weeks have been really tough as work and home life have been off balance.  When one is in balance, you can usually compensate the other but when both are off, it does not take long to bring you to a breaking point.  In fact, this week I had to take Thursday and Friday off as vacation so I could regroup and settle myself back down.

I know that my work life will be very busy for the next 5 years as we are implementing a new healthcare software system throughout the province and my teams have two new integrated software systems that need to be up and running within the next 12 months, rolling out to the province throughout the next 5 years.

My home life has been busy with children graduating, getting ready for college, participating in clubs, helping Simon learn to cope and deal with his anxiety, trying to makes sure no one is left out, my commitments to I Ho Chuan, getting ready for Christmas, and the list goes on.

It was these thoughts that had me really contemplating if I would join another year of I Ho Chuan.  Don't get me wrong, I have loved this year and everything that I have learnt along the way, but in my mind, I just couldn't see how I could keep up this pace. I knew that I could not do everything that I am currently doing and I did not want to let down the I Ho Chuan team.

Sifu Brinker had talked with Mike and I regarding the above (Mike's work life is also crazy busy) and we talked about sustainability.  I need to make sure that my Kung Fu works for me and that if we focus more on the individual aspects that the team will benefit as well.

With four Kohuts joining the I Ho Chuan Pig year it will be busy, but it does not mean that we have to sacrifice our family time.  There should not be anything that feels like it is a sacrifice for this will not be sustainable.  I want to have Kung Fu as a part of my life forever and I want my children to have it throughout their lives as well so its all about learning how to balance, create priorities, and ensure your actions are sustainable.

See you on the mats!

Super Saturdays

Saturdays have become my time.  I look forward to getting up and heading into town. I look forward to changing into my workout clothes and hitting the mats.

It starts with Tai Chi class, which helps end the busy week and allows me to reset for the next.  It makes me focus on "where am I and what am I doing".  It allows me to listen to my body.  I find that I really need to "Focus my eyes, focus my mind, focus my body" when I am in class.  It is moving meditation.  It is building micro muscles. Tai Chi also allows for quality time with my son as I love practicing the moves during the week with him and having our time together.  I wish I would have joined this sooner but I am happy I am doing it now.

Next is Lion Dance practise during open training.  This is the ultimate exercise in focus and endurance.  Never anything the same twice, making changes on the fly, organized chaos.  I have noticed that there are finally times that I can "be the Lion".  Times where I am not always thinking about how to do the next unicorn step.  If you have not done a Lion Dance, you are missing out.  If you are a person who over thinks everything in Kung Fu (like I am), Lion Dance will help with that.  There is so much going on that initially I was overwhelmed and confused so I had to let go and just do it. This has been spilling over to other areas of my Kung Fu and improving that as well. The  Lion Dance is great exercise and you are having so much fun that you don't realize it until its over.  By the end of practise, the head feels like 50lbs, my face is red, and my legs are burning but everyone is always smiling when they pop out of their Lion.  

I know that these two activities have been helping me get through each week as my work stress continues to rise.  There are many times during the week when I start feeling overwhelmed and anxious but I can bring it back by using the tools that I have learnt in Kung Fu.  I just started exercising at work (I still struggle with finding the time but I am making it a priority),  do deep breathing,  ask myself "where am I, what am I doing",  do yoga or Tai Chi.  

So thank you Sifu Dennis and Sifu Brinker for taking the time during your weekend to instruct these two events, please know that it is greatly appreciated.  Thank you to the other Sifus who are always there to help and guide us and thank you to my teammates for your dedication and commitment.  I can't imagine where I would be without you.

See you next Saturday!

Community Engagement

This weekend we did the Salvation Army Adopt a Kettle and even though many of the Sifus and Candidates were busy grading, all shifts were filled and it went smooth with only a couple of minor bumps.  This couldn't have been accomplished without everyone not only coming to help, but going above and beyond as well, some staying late and others doing double shifts.  I was prepared to fill in wherever was needed but the few times that I stopped to check in, all I received was a "don't worry, we got this". What an awesome group!

So what did we accomplish?  We pulled together to raise money for a good cause.  We worked together to support the local Salvation Army, for people who will be needing help especially during the holiday season.  Not bad for only an hour (or two) commitment.  As part of Silent River Kung Fu, giving back to the community is an important part of our training and engagement. This is something that I can improve on because doing community work should not be something I just fit into my schedule.  The more I understand how I can help, the easier it is to flex my schedule to ensure I can make these things happen.

Another community event that we also participate in is the Adopt a Driveway program.  We go and shovel the walks and driveway for a an elderly couple who are so appreciative of our efforts.  If you would like to help with this, please contact someone from the I Ho Chuan team or a Sifu. Many shovels make light work.

Thank you to everyone who takes time to support our community.  For all those that helped at the Salvation Army Adopt a Kettle, a huge thank you as well!