Stop being nice to me; Be my friend!

Since I got to Canada I met many people that were nice to me. They ask me how I'm doing, they say hello when they see me but they are not crossing the line between an acquaintance and a friend.

I can admit that sometimes it is also hard for me to do the next step but I tried few times and got burnt. I've invited some people for supper, helped others but never got anything back. No one invited me back. Except for one couple.

4 weeks after they moved into our neighborhood, they were placing sod. We only exchanged "hello"s till then and after seeing them working for a little bit I offered my help and worked with them for the rest of the day. We also invited them for lunch. Unlike anyone else up to that point, they invited us back.

I'm so happy I did get to find a true friend here in Canada.

Breathing

While training I often find my self out of breath. I thought that after working out almost everyday, including running, I will find exercising to be a bit easier. I'm trying to control my breathing but it is VERY hard to breath slowly and deeply when your brain says "that's it, I'm out of here if I don't get anymore oxygen".

I'm starting to into breathing exercises.

This weekend was, so far, lots of fun. We did so much and although I'm already exhausted  I'm very happy with what we accomplished so far. Tomorrow (if the weather will cooperate) we will use our kayaks for the first time this year.

Pushups

We are back from our trip to Israel. We had lots of fun!!! Here are some pushups photos to prove it.

On the way to the Dead Sea

Jerusalem Old City

 Jaffa Gate

Walls of Jerusalem

Walls of Jerusalem

Walls of Jerusalem

Massada

Massada

Massada

Massada

Massada

The end is also a beginning

We are close to the end of our visit in Israel. Tomorrow we will be on our way to the airport after saying our good-byes to family. We had a lot of fun here and we visited many friends and family as well as travelled in many tourist places.

I had a big problem with my engagement during this trip. This is one of the things I will have to work on when I'm back in Canada. I need to be able to continue with the requirements even if I'm out of my zone. I am coming back fully charged and with high expectations of the next few months. Stepping up my engagement and pursuing the rest of my personal goals.

As hard as it is to leave my family again, I am happy we are coming back to our home and our friends.

Routine

I'm missing my routine. I find it extremely hard to do anything while not at home. At the same time I also want to approach these 2 weeks as a vacation (because this is what it is). When I'm back it will be full force ahead.

Back to my roots

I'm back to the home I was born in. It is very intersting seeing and using items that I was around while growing up. Today we also visited my dad's grave.

This is where my roots are. This is where my base is. It feels great to visit here again and reflect on everything that shaped me the way I am and whom built my core values.

Just like training in Kung Fu, we all need to know our base, our foundation.

Mastery

One of my biggest challenges yet was to memorize Mastery by Stewart Emery. I was never good in memorizing and even-though I've been speaking English for many years, it is not my native tongue and it is harder for me to read or write in English.

This was not an easy task. I tried to find what is the best way, for me, to be able to memorize it.

I was thinking about some of the theory we teach the kids in the Advanced Black Dragons. The first that came into mind was the 100 times theory. You do something properly 100 times and then you will know how it is done - muscle memory, right? Well, I started with reading M
astery as much as I could. At home, at work, while working out. I was understanding the content but I still didn't feel I was going to be able to memorize it.


Goal setting: set a goal, set a plan (and get a success coach), keep consistent action, review your plan and review your goals. I know what my goal is... I made a plan to read every morning, at lunch break and in the evening while doing plank or in horse stance. I was taking consistent action and every few days reviewing my progress. I knew I had to change something as I was not progressing as fast as I was supposed to. I decided to break down the goals into mini goals. Tackle one paragraph at a time. That seemed to help as I got half of the first paragraph memorized.

Another theory concept - how to learn for exam? "creative repetition and consistent review". Find different ways to study and keep studying. I was already reading it. I recorded my self and started listening to my self narrating it on the drive to work. I also made a recording with gaps in between sentences so I can repeat after the narrator.

The first paragraph was the hardest. Then the second one was the hardest. The third was a bit confusing but I think I got the confidence of "I'm able to do this". Then came the 4th and it was the new "hardest". I think I spent the most time on this one while keeping tab on the first three.

I finally got it memorized. My kids are running away from me whenever I start "Mastery in our career...". But I still face the toughest challenge - the test. I'm going to be so nervous that I might black out completely.

More theory help - how to relax: breath, pressure points... DON'T PANIC!!!