One Person's Success

Have you ever had someone treat you as though your success is a factor in their failure?  That somehow, your achievements have taken away the possibility of their own?  Or have you felt that way about someone else?

Whether you've been treated that way, or you've treated someone else that way...that outlook is false.  

Don't look at someone who is "ahead" of you as an enemy...as someone to overtake.  Reach out and engage with them.  Ask questions.  Learn from them.

Don't look at someone who is "behind" you as an enemy...as someone to keep at bay.  Don't hold them back because you think it would diminish your success.  Push them forward....ahead even.  Offer them what you can.  

One person doesn't have to fail in order for the other to succeed.  We can all succeed simultaneously.  

In fact, when just one of us succeeds, we all do.

Time For a Revamp - Part 1

I think it's time, once again, to revamp my training regime.  I'm finding that it's important to re-evaluate regularly in order to avoid sitting at a plateau for too long.  Once you get to a point where you seem to just be going through the motions, it's important to shake things up or risk finding yourself spinning your wheels and not going anywhere.  It can be hard to think that as much time as I put into my training, it can still become stale and inefficient.  But today I found myself thinking, "it feels like I'm just maintaining rather than progressing".  And I've come to trust my own judgement.

But please don't get me wrong.  ANY training is better than NO training.  And someday I may find myself in a space where all I can handle is maintenance.  And that's okay.  But today is not that day.  Right now I'm in a really good space, and I want to use this to keep pushing my training forward.  I don't want to waste it on maintenance.

My last revamp was Sept 21, 12 weeks ago.  How do I know that you ask??  Because I was easily able to look back in my blog.  (Yes...shameless plug for the benefits of blogging!!!).  I think 12 weeks is a pretty decent stretch for getting what I can out of this particular training schedule.

This time around, I plan to get some advice from some of the Sifus, specific to me.  So far, I've been pretty pro-active with my own training, including content for 1-on-1's, but I think I'm at a point where I'd like some direct feedback on what my instructors are seeing that I need to work on or the things they think would serve me best at this point in my training.  There's gotta be something I do where they watch and just think "what the heck is she doing?" 😅  I will always make sure to incorporate the keystone principles, but I'm thinking more in terms of mastery.  Meaning I'd like to re-focus the majority of my efforts on some specific areas, rather than the "all encompassing" "even-steven" approach I took this last time.  Not that it wasn't beneficial!  But like I said...it's just time to change things up.

One thing that will be added back on as a goal is the side heel.  I had put this on the backburner a while ago, and it's been nagging at me recently, which tells me it's time to revisit that goal.  And this time around I think I'll find myself a success coach so I can stay motivated and accountable.  I'm sure I'll be fending people off with a stick wanting to volunteer for that job. Not everyone at once now! 😂

Even as I write this I'm generating a bunch of different ideas for my new training regime...yet another benefit of blogging!! 😉

Stay tuned for Part 2...

Quitting

I don't think it's a necessarily a bad thing to quit something.  Sometimes things don't work out.  It's life.  One person can't do everything at once and everyone has different skills and interests.  

But I do think there is a right way and many, many wrong ways to quit.

If you've given it an honest effort...if you've shown up....if you've been engaged....if you've followed through on a plan to meet your goals....if you've reached out for help and advice....

....yet you still can't seem to find any benefit in what you're doing....then I would say it might be the right decision to move on and find something that works better for you.

Quitting in a moment of frustration would be a wrong way to quit.  

Quitting because something is "too hard" would be a wrong way to quit.

Quitting because you think you're the worst would be a wrong way to quit.

Quitting because you think it's taking too long to accomplish your goal would be a wrong way to quit.

Quitting because you got lazy and feel unmotivated would be a wrong way to quit.

Quitting because you don't have time would be a wrong way to quit.

I could go on....

The things above are all controllable and changeable.

Frustrated?....step away...breathe...focus on something different.  Frustration passes.

Too Hard?...break it down...make a plan...and follow through.  If it was easy everyone would do it and then it would no longer be special.

Feeling like you're at the bottom of the pile?...stop comparing yourself to others...focus on your own goals...acknowledge your own strengths.  Focus on getting better...not being the best.

Things aren't moving fast enough?...stop rushing...track your progress and celebrate the improvements you're making on the way.....enjoy the moment and where you are.  You can't live in the future.

Got lazy and lacking motivation?...train anyways!!...get to class!!!...reach out and engage with your fellow students and instructors.  Effort eventually becomes effortless I'm told.  😉

No time?....😒....not even going to comment on this one....

If you like doing something, do it.  If you want to be something, be it.  I know I'm making this sound simple....but it kinda is.  

Feeling Great

My body hurts and I am so tired.  

But I kinda feel amazing.  

My current list of injuries includes my lower back, right shoulder, right knee, left ankle, right bicep, both wrists, left big toe and right thumb.  My body, in general, feels tired and sore.  My brain is exhausted from my responsibilities at work along with just everything in general that is happening in the world.

But I still feel great.  How does that make any sense?

What's also kind of confusing is that I'm not sure that I should feel great.  In fact, I feel somewhat guilty because I know many people are struggling right now.  I mean, of course there are things in my life that aren't awesome...but they just don't seem all that significant.  Or at least they don't seem to be dampening my spirit like they normally might. 

I suppose I'll just go with it and try to spread this positive energy while I've got it!

I Am An Ox

2021 for the I Ho Chuan team will be the Year of the Ox.  I will be on that team.  

I am absolutely thrilled to take part.  I have all my requirements laid out.  I've started researching.  I've reached out to some different resources to reach my goals.  And I feel I'm prepared to make the year a success.

My very first official meeting with the I Ho Chuan team was last night.  As an incoming member, I'm attending these meetings now to "get my feet wet" so to speak.  I didn't have any expectations going in as to what these meetings entailed, but ultimately, it seems to be an opportunity to share with the group whatever might be on our minds, in a safe and accepting atmosphere.  I got to hear about some of the new and exciting things people have going on...along with the regular, but still altogether important, things as well.  I also heard about some really significant hardships that people are currently facing.  There was laughter and tears.  And at the end of it all, I really felt the power that a team can have.  If you're struggling, someone is there to support you.  If you see someone struggling, you offer your support.  You're never really alone on your journey and someone else's success can be just as fulfilling as your own when you're part of a team.  I haven't really known many of the team for long, and all I did last night was listen....but I still walked away feeling like a true member.  I thank-you all for that.  

I look forward to getting to know all of you better and to taking this journey with you.

I am an Ox.

Well...I'm actually a Sheep, which apparently is completely incompatible with an Ox.  But I won't let that get in the way.  ;)

My Kung Fu Advent Calendar

It's funny how a small thought can quickly evolve into something much bigger.

I was putting together a Christmas Advent Calendar today for the kids and thought to myself, 

"What can I put in here for me?"...

...because who doesn't like a fun surprise everyday, right??  I couldn't bring myself to include candy....because I've basically been gorging Halloween candy for the month of November 😬.  So I needed to get more creative.

Of course my thoughts eventually went to kung fu....and how I've really enjoyed these challenges we've been doing....and how I love adding spontaneous things to my regular daily training....

And well, one idea led to another....and I now have a "Kung Fu Advent Calendar" 😂

24 days...24 different challenges...

And call me crazy, but I'm sorta pumped!..........until the "Power of the Instep" day gets pulled....then I may not be that pumped anymore....😆😭

Insight into Injury

This current Side Heel challenge has been much more difficult for me than the Front Thrust.  There is so much more involved and it just literally takes more energy to do 10 side heels versus 10 front thrust kicks.  The Side Heel also causes me pain in my one knee, which I believe is being caused by hyper-extension.  I've gotten some feedback on this and I've been working on some adjustments, but even so, after almost 800 kicks in the last 6 days, plus my regular training, its taken it's toll.  

I'm not sure if my kick has improved that much with this challenge, technically speaking, but I've taken this opportunity as a chance to try and pinpoint when I am experiencing pain, as well as when I'm not. 

Here's what I know.

• I don't seem to cause injury when kicking from horse.  Only from Bow stance.
• If I can really engage my leg muscles (ie. quads), less pain.  *This was some direct feedback I received and it has worked as long as I can engage those muscles.  This has proven more difficult than expected.
• If I pivot my base foot just a bit more than I've become used to, no pain.  This also seems to help me engage my leg muscles (as per my previous point) and seems to keep everything more aligned, right from my head to my heel.  I worry with this because I don't want to start venturing into back kick territory.
• The more power I direct to my heel, the less pain.
• The more I focus on chambering properly, the less pain.
• I have no pain in my left knee.  My left leg is my weaker side so perhaps I'm just not putting as much force into it.
• There is more pain if I get sloppy.  Ie. if I let things slide during the last couple of kicks in a set.
• The less stable I am, the more sloppy the kick.  I really need to improve my balance.
• I would describe it more as tenderness or tension rather than sharp pain.  And it's in the back of my knee, not really the joint.

From what I can tell there are a myriad of factors involved here.  But I have a feeling they are all connected to the same thing (engaging those muscles to avoid hyper-extension) and if I can make these adjustments, I'll be able to alleviate this pain.  The hardest part is consistency and being fully aware with each and every kick.  

The Power of 1000

During my recent testing, Sifu Hayes and I discussed how a kick needs to have a release of energy at completion.   Specifically, we were discussing the front thrust kick.  His feedback was that I wasn’t fully doing that.  He indicated that I was almost there, but needed to hold that last moment of my kick just a millisecond more to make that happen. 

Wouldn’t you know it, the very next day Mr. Bjorkquist posted the “1000 Front Thrust Kick Challenge”. 

This challenge came at just the right time with Sifu Hayes’ feedback fresh in my mind.  With each kick I focused on what he said and I realized exactly what he was talking about.  Allowing my kick to completely "finish", and not pulling back to a crane before that moment, really made a huge difference.  I was no longer just throwing kicks....I was delivering kicks....if that makes any sense.  Everything felt much more in control with the one "small" adjustment.  Everything I was doing seemed to be more complete and everything seemed to be fully engaged.  Prior to this, I now realize that finishing my kick before it was truly finished was impeding my stability, strength and control by just that little bit.  My front thrust is feeling really good after this challenge. 

I think I’m going to try this with the Side Heel.  I had worked on my side heel as a goal for about 4 months.  Not long ago I decided to table it for a bit and come back to it later with a fresh mind, because I felt my progress was starting to stagnate.  I think maybe this type of challenge is the fresh approach I need.  

Side note:  Does anyone else feel like things are posted, comments are made, or lessons include things that seem to be directed specifically at you at exactly the right time?? Lol.  I feel like this happens to me alot.

A Good Example

I had one of the new students in the Adult Level 1 class approach me recently.   The question asked of me was, "Did you find everything really hard when you first started?".  I grinned and laughed and answered, "When I first started?!  I still find everything really hard!" 

I went on to advise this student that yes, everything was hard when I first started.  REALLY HARD.  I told them that when I first started I felt like I was basically flailing all over the place, completely uncoordinated and had no idea at all what I was doing.  But that I took the advice of Sifu Rybak, and just faked it until things started to come together.  I told this student not to worry about it too much and that they were doing great....to just keep at it and that slowly things would start to make more sense and there would be improvement.

I walked away from the encounter hoping that my answer helped a little....and that it maybe boosted their confidence.  Because I certainly remember that same feeling when I started!

It wasn't until today that something dawned on me.  That student approached me because they saw ME as an example!  I'm assuming they must have been watching me, or listening to my questions, at some point in class and their perspective was that whatever we had been working on, I found easy!  Which really isn't the case...I've just gotten better at faking it. 😉  In any event, it seems I'm not the new kid on the block anymore.  Just how I am watching and learning from the students in front of me...and just how they are my examples....I have become that to those following me.  

We are all examples to others, whether we've chosen to be or not.  What a powerful realization that I might be an example to someone else.  I can only hope I'll be a good one.

My Annoyance

For anyone that follows Thich Nhat Hanh, you will know that he practices mindful breathing.  Within this, there is what's called mindfulness of feelings.  This is a way to acknowledge any feelings that are present, both good and bad.  For the bad, it's also a way to heal and accept.  He teaches not to suppress bad feelings or try to remove them, but instead to keep them, acknowledge them and take care of them because they are a part of you.

The other morning I was practicing my mindful breathing.  The kids were playing not far from me and were being somewhat loud and distracting.  I found myself getting more and more annoyed.  That feeling seemed to rise further and further up, and I could sense anger starting to follow it.  Thinking of Thich Nhat Hanh, I managed to re-focus.  And instead of trying to suppress my annoyance, I just let it come.  I accepted it and I found myself thinking "Hello annoyance.  It's okay that you're here.  Because let's face it....they truly are being annoying."  And immediately I found myself smiling and then laughing.  My annoyance dissipated...and the anger never had the chance to amount to anything more.

A feeling might start because of an external source, but it is completely within my own power to determine if, or how much, it grows.

Edit:  I was literally about to publish this when Sifu Brinker posted the announcement for the second shutdown.  This blog entry can apply to how I move forward with this challenge as well.  I am in total control of how I respond to this shutdown and the challenges that come with it.  Do I prefer to be at the Kwoon?  Yes.  Do I halt my progress and wait for it to re-open?  Absolutely not.  There is a tremendous amount of opportunity and growth to be had in any situation.  Often more so in the difficult ones.

Yellow Belt

I was promoted for the very first time.  I now have my Yellow Belt.

In all honesty, I did not realize I was being tested.  Officially that is.  We are always being tested to some capacity, so to me, this was no different.  I thought I just got lucky in getting to train with Sifu Hayes one-on-one for the class!  Haha.  In hind-sight it should have been obvious but I think I was just too focused on the feedback and information I was getting to read into it too much.

But I'm not going to lie, I was super excited when it happened. It was hard to stay humble and gracious when I sorta wanted to fist pump the air.  Lol.  It's always a great feeling to have your hard work recognized, even if it’s not the main motivation. 

My strategy will remain the same as it's always been.  Train to my maximum ability...not necessarily to the colour of my belt.

Side note:  A strange coincidence is that my very first Kung Fu class was November 4, 2019.  I was promoted to Yellow Belt on November 4, 2020.

Ouch

My poor dog got "quilled". 

A year ago, this would have sent me into a panic.  I would have been stressed out....anxious....and generally confused about what to do.  I would have been worried about her well-being, the cost, missing work, still getting the kids where they needed to go, etc, etc.  All of those worries would have been too much to handle all at once and I possibly would have lashed out at those around me because of my discomfort and frustration.  

For some reason I was able to handle the situation calmly and with a clear head.  Was my morning a little crazier than usual?  Of course.  But I seemed to be able to assess the situation, determine the severity and make a plan, while keeping the kids' morning routine basically normal, all without becoming overly distraught or anxious.

I'm fairly certain that Kung Fu, and my meditation practice, are likely the main reasons I was able to stay in the moment and keep a clear head.

Sunday Funday....not

I had a terrible day yesterday.  It didn't start terrible.  But slowly, throughout the morning, I found myself getting increasingly annoyed and angry at the smallest things.  Often there wasn't even a "thing" to be mad at.  I was just mad for no reason at all.  I almost felt as though I was vibrating with anxiety and tension.  I felt resentful at having so many things to do...yet I couldn't motivate myself to do any of them...even the ones I normally enjoy.  I was not myself at all.  The entire day was a write-off.  And I couldn't think of anything that would have made me feel like this....

...until this morning....after I finished my training and was ready to take on the day....it dawned on me....

I don't train on Sundays....which was yesterday.  And if I recall correctly, this isn't the first Sunday that I've felt lost and unmotivated.

Could not training have that big of an impact on me?

Dan had suggested yesterday that I go hammer out a bunch of pushups or throw some kicks at my heavy bag.  I glared at him until he slowly back-stepped out of the room to safety....and I ignored his ridiculous suggestion.....but maybe he was on to something.