Working through an injury or a setback allows for us to focus on different aspects that were not as noticeable as they are now. In my example, as I have been working on my 18 temple motions and Tai Chi, I have noticed that my grounding and centering are changed by minor movements. These minor shifts have a major impact as I easily lose my balance. In Tai Chi, as soon as I overextended my centre, I would stumble. This would occur as I shifted forward and my knee became too far over my foot. Another place was during my cat stances and my bow stances, if my shoulders were too far forward then my grounding on my back foot would not be solid. Previously I would have noticed these issues at the end of my stance but as I have to be slower, I am noticing these nuances as they occur. This way I only need to go back two or three steps to find where the problem starts and can correct it easier. Although I would rather be without my setbacks, they are improving my Kung Fu and the 6 harmonies that would have taken me so much longer so I am embracing each moment.
Sunday, 19 February 2023
Sunday, 5 February 2023
When is the right time?
This week has been filled with lots of naps and recovery. I will feel good and have a busy day and the next day is pretty much a right off with the amount of sleep that I require but that is to be expected. My doctor warned me that my tiredness will get worse as we are now decreasing my prednisone (this is the second of three immunosuppressants that we are weaning off) but I'm excited for these little steps.
The immunosuppressants that I am on is due to the acute Graft vs Host (aGVHd) disease that I developed shortly after transplant. My primary caregivers (Mike and my best friend Joanne) knew that I was had severe aGVHd but it wasn't until I had to update some of my clinical trial documents last week that I found out that it was Grade 3 aGVHd (out of a 0-4 scale). The doctors didn't know what they were going to do if these three drugs did not work as the mortality rate for Grade 3 and 4 is very high so I consider myself immensely lucky to be here today.
So how does this relate to Kung Fu? If I waited for the right time to do something, I would probably still be waiting to do anything. My personal goals this year are to help me with mortality and gratitude. Tai Chi, meditation, readings on these areas are ways that will assist me to continue to move forward, slow as it may be. The other personal goal is a community project. Something that I can do that will assist others. How do I use the precious time that I have been given to make a difference to others?
If I waited until I was "better", I would be missing out on the time that I have available now. It might not be a lot of time but I have have some time so why not use it. I have started my brain dump on things that interest me for my community project and reached out to some knowledgable resources to bounce ideas around.
I will focus more on my community project on the next post but the take away from this post is "NOW is the right time". Don't wait until you "think" you are ready, figure out how you can proceed with what you have right now.