Stop the train - I want to keep going...

Last night was exhausting mentally and I need a break. I did not have enough time to plan next year. I usually plan everything ahead of time and this year is seems that I'm easing off a bit. So today, recovering from yesterday's demonstration, I started thinking what I want to do this year. I know which weapon I'm going to work with but I'm planning to experiment different things with it before I can have something I can call a form. I'm not sure which other form I'm going to choose for my 1000 reps. I guess I better choose quick as I need to start right away.

I have some physical goals this year but mostly I want to become a better leader. Again, I still need to figure out what that means. No matter what this should be a year of personal growth for me.

Although the year might not start on a good accord (I will be missing all the evening classes this week due to work commitments) I'm going to work hard to make it another successful year.

Are you talking or walking?

The I Ho Chuan year of the horse is ending this week. A new year is starting. We all set our goals for the new year.

Even if we have the best intentions, if we are not taking consistent action towards the goal than is it really a priority for us? Do we see the value in what we do?

Some people talk the talk while others walk the walk. These who keep walking will progress in their journey toward mastery/black-belt/better-self.

I'm choosing to walk the walk. What about you?

The Ripple Effect

Everything we do have is affecting our surrounding. Our actions, good or bad, can have a positive or a negative influence on someone's situation.

I've been thinking about this for a while - what is the effect of our AOKs? Are we by doing something negative, causing something good for someone else?

When I keep the door open for someone, I let cold air in and make others cold.
When I let a driver merge into my lane, I make the person behind me get home later than before.
When I miss demo practice, I give the opportunity for someone else to have the experience.

Do we have control on the affect of what we do? Probably not. Can we make sure our actions cause good to some and do not harm others? Maybe not.

What is my intent.

If I intent to do good, I hope there is going to be a positive ripple and other good things will happen. If I'm nice to people they will be nice to others (and to me?).

Consistently Extraordinary

As part of my continuous journey to better myself, I try to choose goals that will change my life and that I will be able to maintain. I don't like to say I'm going to do something if after few days I cannot maintain it. Part of my mastery is to keep doing what I need to do. Keep getting better. Keep learning. There is no vacation from life.


First paragraph from Mastery (by Stewart Emory)
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"Mastery in your career and consciousness simply requires that we constantly produce results beyond the ordinary. Mastery is a product of consistently going beyond our limits."

There are 2 things I take from this paragraph:
1. We need to do things that are extraordinary.
2. We need to do it all the time.

Being extraordinary once in a while is not good enough.