Learning a form

Learning a new form is always exciting. It is not an easy process for me. I need to repeat each step many times until I get the sequence and then there is lots of work to perfect it. This year's form is Kobe's sword form from his grading year. It is a very flowing form much like Lao-Gar which makes it harder for me as I'm having difficulties making this form look good. I now know all the moves and I need to practice the form many more times to memorize it.

During open training I was thinking about the form and about how lucky I am that I can learn this form from Kobe. I'm amazed of what this kid has achieved so far. He is only 13 and he learnt, experienced and done more (way more) than I did when I was his age. I feel so privileged to be able to learn from him. Thanks!

What part of "erfitt að vinna" don't you understand?

3 weeks of vacation are over. It was very hectic and I think we managed to see lots and to spend valuable time with our family in Israel. The weather did not cooperate with us all the time but we managed to enjoy our time despite the rain. We will have family memories that are priceless.

I had lots of time to also think what I want to be when I grow up. At the end, it doesn't really matter as long as - I'm having fun, I am able to spend time with my family, I'm trying my best in everything I do. Sounds like hard work...

(It is VERY hard to pronounce the Icelandic language. Kobe bought a T-Shirt in Iceland that says "What part of Eyjafjallajökull don't you understand". Eyjafjallajökull is a volcano in Iceland. Now figure out what "erfitt að vinna" means...)

Rules

Rules. Sometimes rules can be annoying, restricting. Ok. Most of the time they are restricting.

Not allowed to get into the water. Not allowed to climb up, not allowed to feed the animals, not allowed to smoke, not allowed to litter...

All these rules have a reason behind. Either for our safety or the safety of others. To keep the place intact for next week, for future generations.

Going on a hike in a nature reserve yesterday, I witnessed few of these rules broken. And then enforced. It felt so good to see the park ranger stopping the ones who were littering and passing the "do not pass" sign.

On another note in regards to littering - I find that if an area is clean people will think twice before littering. If it is already dirty, they will not hesitate to throw their garbage.

Fears

We all have fears. Fears from the different, fears from the unknown, fears from the future.

When we are facing danger our brain automatically chooses between flight, freeze or fight. This is our instinctive mechanism to face the danger.

Standing in front of what I fear, I act differently based on what I believe I can do best. Freezing however seems to be one way that I think I will mostly regret about in the future. I feel that an action is better than inaction.

Seeing my mom getting old and knowing that this time might be the last time I will see her is one of my biggest fears. And at this point I feel the I'm in freeze mode.

Vacation Time

Taking time off, going on a family vacation. That sounds great and relaxing but somehow it turns to be stressful. Making sure we are all prepared, trying to buy tickets to different places, planning the days so we won't waste time, worrying about the weather, the transportation, the accommodation, the food, the prices, the weather (did I say that one already).

Next time I'm going for an all inclusive cruise.

Now I need to relax and enjoy the ride. Whatever happens - so be it. I should still enjoy it and not question "what if?" all the time.

Into the unknown

When faced with unknown I can either ignore it or prepare for it.

Ignoring it and I will be faced with reality. Dropped into the deep end of the pool. Trying to keep my face up and breath.

Preparing for it, although not knowing what for, might make it easier when it happens. Some sort of emergency kit that when faced with the unknown will keep me above water.

How do you prepare? As I do not know what is ahead, I need to be prepared for everything. Keeping my skills polished and my instincts sharp. Looking around and finding other who might have walked the path before. Follow their success. Learn from their mistakes.

Energy Levels

The last couple weeks are bad. I've been low on energy and I also turning into food to keep myself going. I'm trying to stay active and attend the classes but it is not the same. The worse is open training where I find myself a bit lost. I want to be in there and practice but it just not working.

Trying to figure out if there is a way to boost my energy. Power smoothie, more chocolate, a sunny vacation...

If anyone has any ideas how I can get my energy level back up - please comment.