Tiger Challenge v3

Tiger Challenge this year was a great success for me. Yes it was stressful before and during. I kept thinking - "what am I forgetting?", "what time will each segment end?", "are the divisions set properly?". Then also watching my kids and Sharida competing. Hoping they are doing well. And they did. Aviva kicked butt at the noodle fight, Shira did very well at the weapon forms, Noa got the BD grand champion, Kobe did great with his forms and in the Lion Dance (too bad he got a migrane and had to pull out in the middle) and Sharida did great and event got gold for her weapon form!!!

This year there was a new energy during the Tiger Challenge. Maybe it was the new Obstacle course event that was added to the adults events. I think it was fun to watch and it was also fun to participate in.

This year I had some helping hands with the setup (thanks sifu Regier, sifu Lindstrom, sifu Becket and Mrs. Bergstreiser). And we were more prepared with the score keepers. Everything seemed to run more smoothly than before.

But at the end of the day I was done. And my shoulders were hurting (probably from the obstacle course mania). I needed today as a day of rest, which is not great for my plank challenge. I did not get any minutes on Friday because of the preparations and none on Saturday. I will have to do some extra in the following weeks but I also need to rest my shoulders and make sure I'm not going to cause any damage.

Anyway - "back to normal". Now we have lots to prepare with the dragon and also the individual forms. Only 3 more months to Chinese New Year!!!

Tiger Challenge

Tiger Challenge is next weekend. I have to admit - I don't like competing in the Tiger Challenge. Performing in front of others and being judged always makes me terrified.

But since I joined SRKF, I've never missed this opportunity as I see the benefits it holds for me. The growth opportunities that it offers before, during and after the Tiger Challenge.

Unlike previous years, this time I'm less prepared. Some injuries are preventing me from practicing as I would like to. But even if I'm not 100% prepared, I will do it and then evaluate where I am and where I want to be next year at the next Tiger Challenge.

Random Act of Kindness

This weekend was the first time we went shoveling for the seniors. While there was not much snow left, we still had to do some work.

In the first house, after we were done with the sidewalk, Mr. Helm continued to shovel the sidewalk of the house next to the senior. That was the only house on the street that was not cleared. My first reaction was to tell him "hey, this is not our sidewalk" but instead I joined him and in less than a minute we cleared it. Never hurts to help more people :-)

In the second house there was not much to do, but when I was shoveling the stairs to the house, Mrs. Janicki open the door and thanked me for helping them. It felt good to know that we are actually helping them and it is great to put a face to the seniors we help.

Being in the moment, learning from the past and planning for the future

Being in the moment - definitely something to work on. Get more awareness to what we are doing. Being mindful in every single step.

But does it mean forget the past and neglect the future? I don't think so.

Learning from successes and failures in the past is key for building a better self. Planning for the future and setting goals is also crucial for ones growth.

At the same time, we should be able to be mindful of what we are doing and with full awareness of what it is that we are doing.

Today especially I try to think of all the good things I am thankful for. Planning how I can do better in the following year. And being mindful of what I'm thankful for now.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Family Connection

For years now I've been teaching the kids classes but it all started because I wanted to be with my kids when they train.

I'm also teaching the early morning class and I'm very pleased to have 3 pairs of parent/child in the class.

If you train with your kids, I really think that training together is going to enhance the bond with your child.

I have the privilege now to training side by side with my son in the black belt class and in the IHC class. We work together and we help each other. I was told last weekend that my son and I are getting along great together. I believe it is more than that...

I'm also very fortunate that my wife is training in the IHC and I also get to work with her in her preparation to grading. It is fun for me to be able to spend time with her doing something we both enjoy.

For Families!!!