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.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Week 29 Tai Chi..... wow
I have always been fascinated by Tai Chi. I remember very clearly the first time I saw someone doing Tai Chi. I was 10 and visiting my grandmother in Toronto. There was a park near her apartment that had swings and a wading pool and an amazing garden area. In the middle of the garden was an elderly Asain couple doing Tai Chi together. I was amazed at how they moved so fluidly and with ease. Every time since then when I see someone doing Tai Chi I'm capivated by the movement. There is a grace and serenity of movement that calls to me.
Now I have started Tai Chi myself and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I am no where near as graceful as that couple I saw so many years ago. But with a few years of practise and persistance, I hope to maybe inspire someone else someday. I have only done 2 classes so far but I know this is something that I know I will be doing for the rest of my life. I don't even have the words to describe how much I am enjoying it. It just feels so right to be learning.
I know Tai Chi is going to benefit me in so many ways in my becoming a martial artist. This journey I have begun this year is so awesome. To think it all started with my son asking me in a shy voice if I would do Kung Fu with him so he had someone to practise with. He has given me more of a gift then he ever could imagine, and I thank him often for it.
Now I have started Tai Chi myself and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I am no where near as graceful as that couple I saw so many years ago. But with a few years of practise and persistance, I hope to maybe inspire someone else someday. I have only done 2 classes so far but I know this is something that I know I will be doing for the rest of my life. I don't even have the words to describe how much I am enjoying it. It just feels so right to be learning.
I know Tai Chi is going to benefit me in so many ways in my becoming a martial artist. This journey I have begun this year is so awesome. To think it all started with my son asking me in a shy voice if I would do Kung Fu with him so he had someone to practise with. He has given me more of a gift then he ever could imagine, and I thank him often for it.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
week 28 sick again, sigh
This week I let myself get run down to much and caught the bug thats been going around work. Its hacking cough that is very persistent. Everytime I tried to lie down and rest or sleep I would start coughing and coughing. This led to loss of even more sleep and the avalance began. I missed both of my Kung Fu classes and helping with the kids clases on thursday. I really don't like missing classes. I always come away from a class feeling energized, even if I dragged my sorry butt through the warmup.
I also didn't get in my daily forms , pushups or situps and that really nagged at me as I felt I was failing to keep up with my commitments. I finally realized that my body was telling me that it was to run down to keep up the pace I was at. Between 9 to 11 hour days at work plus KungFu and family life. I was wearing myself out. My wife and I have been looking for a new vehicle for her and had been researching different options and ideas, plus test driving and surfing the net for available vehicles. This took up alot more of my time then I thought it would, and contributed to my getting worn down.
We have found and purchased a vehicle my wife likes and will work well for the family. Plus I have deligated out some of the work I was doing for my crew at work to a few of the more experienced guys and this has reduced my work load signifigantly. I am a perfectionist when it comes to work, I do the absolute best job I can. But this leads to me sometimes doing too much extra work that really isn't necessary. My crew at work do good work and are capable and responsible. I just had to let go of over controling and let them do the job they know how to do. I set out the parameters of what needs to be done and they give me feed back on how they think it can be accomplished and then let them go to it more now. They don't need me to do all the planning, layout etc like I was. Sure it made the job really easy for them. But they weren't growing as tradesmen that way either.
Next step is to make sure I'm getting the rest I need when I start feeling run down. Getting run down and then sick doesn't do me any good. Plus I can be "oh woe is me" when sick and that is not a positive way to be.
So one of my new mini goals is to listen to my body each day. Just take a moment or two to assess how I'm feeling both mentally and physically. Then allow myself time to heal or rest if needed or even to workout a little harder if I'm having a good day. I'm not as young as I once was, I can't expect to push and push and not have something give somewhere. Working towards effortless effort, that's a positive direction to move in.
I also didn't get in my daily forms , pushups or situps and that really nagged at me as I felt I was failing to keep up with my commitments. I finally realized that my body was telling me that it was to run down to keep up the pace I was at. Between 9 to 11 hour days at work plus KungFu and family life. I was wearing myself out. My wife and I have been looking for a new vehicle for her and had been researching different options and ideas, plus test driving and surfing the net for available vehicles. This took up alot more of my time then I thought it would, and contributed to my getting worn down.
We have found and purchased a vehicle my wife likes and will work well for the family. Plus I have deligated out some of the work I was doing for my crew at work to a few of the more experienced guys and this has reduced my work load signifigantly. I am a perfectionist when it comes to work, I do the absolute best job I can. But this leads to me sometimes doing too much extra work that really isn't necessary. My crew at work do good work and are capable and responsible. I just had to let go of over controling and let them do the job they know how to do. I set out the parameters of what needs to be done and they give me feed back on how they think it can be accomplished and then let them go to it more now. They don't need me to do all the planning, layout etc like I was. Sure it made the job really easy for them. But they weren't growing as tradesmen that way either.
Next step is to make sure I'm getting the rest I need when I start feeling run down. Getting run down and then sick doesn't do me any good. Plus I can be "oh woe is me" when sick and that is not a positive way to be.
So one of my new mini goals is to listen to my body each day. Just take a moment or two to assess how I'm feeling both mentally and physically. Then allow myself time to heal or rest if needed or even to workout a little harder if I'm having a good day. I'm not as young as I once was, I can't expect to push and push and not have something give somewhere. Working towards effortless effort, that's a positive direction to move in.
week 27 behind again aarg
Dang. I manage to keep up with my daily counts of forms etc that I write down in my binder. But I keep getting behind journaling here. I really have to make a much more conscious effort to set one day a week for journaling and not let any excuse interfere with it. This week was basically plugging along for me. Lots of pressure and stress at work is affecting my concentration and quality of my workouts at home.
I'm feeling run down and tired even when I get a 7 to 8 hour sleep(mostly I get 5 to 6 hours). I need to refocus on a new goal and set out the steps to achieve that goal and then I know I'll make progress.
The UBBT meeting was inspiring for me as it always is. I have so many amazing examples to follow and a huge knowledge base in all the people in the group. It's nice to know that everyone is there to help each other out through the good and the bad. I never really thought about how much you can learn from failure. I always looked on failure as a negative thing. Now I look at failure differently, it's an opportunity to learn and grow. This old dog learn something new again, go figure.
I'm feeling run down and tired even when I get a 7 to 8 hour sleep(mostly I get 5 to 6 hours). I need to refocus on a new goal and set out the steps to achieve that goal and then I know I'll make progress.
The UBBT meeting was inspiring for me as it always is. I have so many amazing examples to follow and a huge knowledge base in all the people in the group. It's nice to know that everyone is there to help each other out through the good and the bad. I never really thought about how much you can learn from failure. I always looked on failure as a negative thing. Now I look at failure differently, it's an opportunity to learn and grow. This old dog learn something new again, go figure.
Friday, July 8, 2011
week 26 a new adventure
This week I started sparring for the first time. I have been nervously antiscipating sparring since I got my orange belt. I'm not afraid to spar. I was more nervous that I would not have proper control and do something that injured someone else or even myself.
Sifu Masterson was prepared and reminded everyone that it was my first time sparring. I have to thank everyone in my class that I sparred with. Everyone was patient and helpful by going slow and trying to show me the openings that I wasn't seeing yet.
I truly enjoyed the class and it was an awesome learning experience. It is definately another level of intensity in this class. I am learning so much each day that only a few things are sticking in my head atm, but thats ok I am happy to just be making progress. I have really taken to working hard on form first. The rest will follow. My journey in Kung Fu has really only just begun. But it is a journey I am thoroughly enjoying and I look forward to each day more and more. As my wife says I seem to have found my niche, I can't disagree with that.
Sifu Masterson was prepared and reminded everyone that it was my first time sparring. I have to thank everyone in my class that I sparred with. Everyone was patient and helpful by going slow and trying to show me the openings that I wasn't seeing yet.
I truly enjoyed the class and it was an awesome learning experience. It is definately another level of intensity in this class. I am learning so much each day that only a few things are sticking in my head atm, but thats ok I am happy to just be making progress. I have really taken to working hard on form first. The rest will follow. My journey in Kung Fu has really only just begun. But it is a journey I am thoroughly enjoying and I look forward to each day more and more. As my wife says I seem to have found my niche, I can't disagree with that.
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