Week 33 Inspirations

Someone commented to me this week on how fast I have progressed in my Kung Fu so far and that my work ethic is amazing. I was somewhat taken aback as I  have never viewed myself this way. I have always thought I'm just doing something I truly enjoy. Then I started to think about my approach to my Kung Fu, and where did I get my work ethic and drive from.

It only took a few minutes to know what has inspired and driven me to work hard at my Kung Fu. One of the biggest reasons is being part of the fitness class. Everyone in the class works hard and puts 110% into the class. I have been most fortunate to have joined this class when I did, as I believe the present group of Sihings in the school are awesome and awe inspiring. I am so lucky that Sifu Stouddart has treated me as she treats them. She doesn't make anything easier for me. I'm held to the same standards they are and that has been so very beneficial to me. I have great examples of technigue, form, power and heart to follow. It has definately rubbed off on me and kept me motivated to do my best even when I'm under the weather or just feeling a little lazy.

Second is the atmosphere in the kwoon. The Sifus all make learning Kung Fu a positive experience. Even when I don't get something right away I know I can approach anyone and ask, and get a the help I need. No one ever grumbles or says come back some other time. Everyone is approachable and that to me shows the amazing quality of people we have in the kwoon.

Third is my family who have never once asked me not to do Kung Fu. They have told me that they have seen the positive changes I am going through and are proud of me. I know my wife doesn't totally understand how much my Kung Fu journey means to me, but she supports me nontheless. When you have family support like I do it is a blessing for sure.

Kung Fu has been so positive for me in more ways then I can even express. I am a much more positive person now, there is no more "can't" for me anymore, its "can't yet". I feel much more healthy and fit. I am much more aware of how I impact other people that I interact with each day and how they impact me. Also I am more aware of how I impact the environment of this amazing planet earth. I am open to new experiences and sensations that I may encounter like never before in my life.

Thank you so much to everyone that has inspired me, encouraged me, taught me, corrected me, and praised me as I have begun this incredible journey. This life journey is gonna be so rewarding and I look forward to sharing it with everyone.

Week 32 Easing back into the grove

This week my coughing has stopped completely and my energy levels are returning. Of course work has been demanding as I have had to play catch up on alot of paper work and blueprint as-builts. I have just been helping with my sons yellow belt class and on thursday I felt like my old self. I had lots of pep and the class was awesome.
So today its back to Tai Chi and the fitness class. I know this time I'll be ok, I have been getting lots of rest and eating well, definately an improvement over the last 2 weeks. My numbers have fallen off due to being sick but I'm not overly concerned, I know I can slowly ramp my pushups and situps back up and catch the numbers up no problem. I regret mssing so many of my classes, but my wife put it in good perspective for me. I can't improve in my kung fu if i'm dead, couldn't knock her logic on that one. I have more to learn when it comes to listening to my body when I'm overdoing it. That's a work in progress. I know I'm not superman and sometimes I have to slow down and let my body recharge.
If anyone has any suggestions on what they concentrate on when it seems like there is not enough hours in the day I would love to hear your comments. Thanks in adavnce and see you in the kwoon.

Weeks 30 and 31 Is the Doctor In?

These two weeks were miserable for me. My cough got worse and worse and I started feeling completely run down and drained. I thought that by resting a bit more I would get better but no such luck. By friday July 29 I left work early and headed for the Doctor's. For me to go to the doctor's is a big thing for me. I knew my family doctor was on holidays and the thought of seeing someone that has never meet me before does not appeal to me. I feel like I'm just a number when I see a doctor. I have found in the past that its " how do you feel",  breath deeply, check the throat, then its here's some pills- see ya later.
How much can they really assess you when they have seen you for less then 5 minutes? Fortunately the doctor I saw was a little more thorough and had a pretty good idea what was wrong. I had a bacteria infection in my sinuses. I was coughing so much because my body was doing all it could to keep the flem etc from getting into my lungs.
So I started taking the 3 medications I was perscribed. They helped after 4 or 5 days, but they drained me even further.  It wasn't until the 6th day that I actually got a good solid sleep. I wasn't coughing nearly as much and thought yay I'm past the last hurdle. So I thought I would go to Tai Chi and the fitness class. I made it through both ok. I felt tired , but the good tired I feel after a great workout. That was until about 4 or 5 hours after, I got dizzy and felt like someone had run over me with a mack truck. Obviously I wasn't quite as ready to get back into the swing of things as I thought I was and my body was letting me know it. Note to self, ease back into things next time, don't be all gung ho and jump in with both feet.