Beginning of the Snake!

What a week and what a wrap up to the year!  I finally was able to kneel down to bow into class.  I helped with the kids classes on Tuesday and Thursdays.  Those kids are amazing to watch.  Thursday, I did my first bowing in at the front of the class.  It was such a great feeling!

The week and the year wrapped up with an excellent banquet and demo.  Witnessing Mike and Simon being promoted as well as visiting with friends and family had me smiling all night.  Then our night wrapped up with taking the banquet leftovers to a church for the unhoused of Spruce Grove.  My work colleague Jaime was volunteering that night so she helped with the drop off.  As we arrived, Jaime led me to the kitchen, past security and through a number of people.  When I left, I spoke to some of them, telling them to stay warm and safe. They responded with thank yous and wishing me a safe trip home.  It was humbling being with people who really know the meaning of struggles and yet they were kind and willing to talk to me.

I thought that this would make me even happier but being there made me realize this was a VERY small contribution. It has made me wonder what I could be doing to contribute more.  Not the superficial help that strokes the ego but the help that can make a deep impact.  One of my personal requirements is leading a community project, and this is the motivation to make me really think what this year's project should be.  I can't wait to see what develops.

Although the Year of the Dragon brought many challenging times, I am grateful for it because it is allowing the Year of the Snake to start strong.  

See you on the mats!

NUMBERS

Situps (modified):  420

Pushups (modified): 420

KMs: 28.0

AOKs: 20

Da Mu Hsing: 4 

Weapon Form: 5

Sparring: 4

Germain: 67

Meditation: 5

Tai Chi: 60

Decluttering: 0

Yoga, Stretching, Exercise: 28

Days of Zen: 2

Community Project:  Just in the thought phase.