marvelous and amazing

This week has been very energizing for me. I have been able to participate and watch some amazing events. First off I got to take my daughter to her dance competition in Fort Saskatchewan this thursday. Her group received a gold and they won the coriography(spelling police check please) award. I know how hard she has been working and practicing and to see the smile on her face was priceless. Next I got to be there when the wall came down at the kwoon. Wow, my hats off the Sifu Lingstrom for having a vision and seeing it through. Totally awesome and very cool to be a part of it. Being able to put a part of myself into the kwoon energizes me and humbles me all at the same time. I get so much from my second home, it's nice to be able to give something back. Spring is here and it is so nice to be able to get outside and do yardwork and forms. My new neighbours are probably wondering who the nut is outside sweating up a storm. All I can say is wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. I love spring.

Freeing my mind

The last week has been challenging but also rewarding for me. Work is progressing at an amazing pace and my crew is doing an outstanding job. The spectre of layoffs is always looming, but so far it has just been peeking around the corners afraid to show itself.

I have come out of a fog lately and find myself much more mindful of everything I'm doing and everyone and everything I'm interacting with lately. As an example, shopping for groceries the other day I was able to do 14 acts of kindness by just paying attention to all the other shoppers around me. They were simple things from helping reach items on high shelves for a few people to helping an elderly lady transfer her groceries from the cart to her car. I took my time as I shopped and realized how in the past I would just rush through getting what I needed and not pay attention to my surroundings. I meet some very nice people and totally enjoyed my shopping experience instead of missing out.

I honestly can't say what has changed for me, except a desire to want to better myself and my life. But I have opened my eyes to the world in a way I have never looked at it before. My stress level has dropped enormously and I am much more relaxed.

I have also started setting much more finite goals and challenges for myself. For example I have achieving my green belt in my sights now. I felt stagnated in my progress even though I was getting in my numbers etc. Now I'm feeling energized and motivated.(maybe it's the kwoon expansion, it's awesome working on the tools after so long) Also something else that really has stuck with me was when Sifu Brinker talked about how we can push ourselves harder and more then we realize, its all mental. That really hit a cord with me and I find myself pushing harder in warmup and class and holding stances longer even though my legs are screaming at me to just stand up. My mind set is changing in a good way and I'm definately seeing the results, yay.

Something was missing?

This last week has been not bad. My own classes are going well and I love the challenges of learning to grapple and spar better. But I felt like there was something missing all week. Then it dawned on me, no kids classes. I truly enjoy helping out in the kids classes and not having any classes this week left a void. I look forward to working with the kids and trying to connect with them all. I also learn so much from just observing the instructors of the kids classes. I have so much more to learn when it comes to an eye for detail, understanding and patience. But I believe with time that will grow. I think because I'm a kid at heart is why I enjoy the company of kids as much as I do adults. Kids can teach you so much about yourself because they see and tell things as they see them, without sugar coating or editing the things they say or do. I'm thankful everyday that I followed through and asked Sifu Brinker if it was okay to help out. I am definately becoming a better person and growing in ways I never would have imagined.