Excited

Everyone around me is sick. People coughing at work. Kids sick at home. There are sick people everywhere. I really hope I'm not going to get sick now. My body is still aching from the sickness I had 3 weeks ago.

In the last few days I've been eating cleaner. Actually, I've been eating better in the last year but still had a treat once in a while. This week I had only real food and fruits. It has been good so far. No major cravings.

Needless to say I'm nervous but in the last few days I'm also getting very excited. I was reviewing the whole curriculum and realized how much I have learned in the last few years and how much I've learned in the last few months. There were many light bulb moments and "that feels good" moments this year. I'm sure that for some people I might still look clumsy but it is a much better clumsy than what I was a year ago :-).

Planning and Scheduling

Planning and scheduling was the key for me so far this year. The consistency of doing push-ups, sit-up and running on a regular basis, doing my forms on specific days.

The hardest time was when I was on vacation for 3 weeks. We were away from home and I was away from my routine. This is one of my main challenges – keeping up with my tasks while on vacation.

I was able to keep most of my numbers. I have a calculated field that tells me what will be my projected number by the end of the year if I keep the pace I got so far. For push-ups and sit-ups I’m doing pretty well. I have 37,546 push-ups and 37,391 sit-ups. The projected numbers are 50,757 and 50,547 by the end of the year. Forms are not great but not too bad as well. I scaled down because of my shoulder injury but I hope to pick it up after the grading. I’m at 654 repetitions of my hand form and 567 repetitions of my weapon form.  I plan to have few days of forms marathons to catch up.

On the personal goals I had some successes and some failures. I was able to eat healthier. I lost more than 10lb. I’m really happy with this one and this is something I’m going to sustain in the future. The goal I was not successful with was work related and because of changes in my role at work I was unable to commit myself to it. I am going to try hard on this one as well as I have 3 more months…

Never Give Up

I can't lie. I'm scared. Nervous. Exited. Terrified. Doubting my self. But not ready to stop, to give up.

I've been training for 6 years and yes, if I had to do it again I would probably do a better job, but I think I did my best. Dedicated myself (especially in the last year) to Kung Fu.

I've got my injuries. And weaknesses. Some days I feel tired -  from work, from life. But there is a good reason why I do what I do. Actually there are few reasons. FAMILY, HEALTH, SUCCESS, FRIENDS and HAPPINESS.

I was watching this short video today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX9FSZJu448 And if this guy was able to do what he did. Regardless of all the obstacles he faced. Anyone can. At least anyone can do their best and never give up. I know I'm going to.

Happy Birthday

My sister had her birthday today. Now with technology it is easier to stay in touch. Phone, Skype, etc. it is all making our connection better even if there is an ocean separating us.

What would have happened 50 years back. Phones were available but I would probably have to get a mortgage just to cover my phone bills.

Now also think what will happen 50 years from now. Teleporting? visual phones?

Anyway - Happy Birthday to my sister and to everyone who had a  birthday today!
(now assuming there are 7 billion people, and on average 19 millions were born today, I just wished happy birthday to 19 million people!!!)

One Month

One month till grading (REALLY????) and I'm trying to be very careful not to get injured. Or should I say not to aggravate my existing injuries. I'm working hard at class and at the Tri-Leisure but I feel like I'm not doing enough. I want to do more but my body is tired and aching. I think it is telling me to take a vacation and I'm telling it to keep going for few more months... My chiropractor on the other hand is probably planning his vacation with all the money I'm paying him :-)

One more month. I need to push my self and practice practice practice for the next 4 weeks. If you see me blaring at the ceiling, please ask me to stop and do a form.

 

Eye for details

Eye for details is one of the qualities of a black belt. We learn a form and then we perfect it, paying attention to all the details that make this form shine. We learn a technique and then we practice and make it our instinctive moves.

Today I was learning Lao Gar step by step. I know the form but not the fine details. Today's class was great for that. We only covered the beginning of the form but I felt I learnt so much.

How is your eye for details? How many differences do you see between the 2 pictures?

Motivation, Commitment, Discipline and all that is in between

We all struggle with motivation from time to time. How can we keep our commitments? How can we do what we signed up for? How can we be disciplined and practice every day?

It is not easy and I find it harder now that it is so dark early in the morning. Who wants to get out of bed at 5:30 am? When it is so cold and dark outside? Not me!

When you have a goal in mind, it keeps you motivated. Your commitment is greater. This is where a tournament like the Tiger Challenge comes into play. We need to realize the value of this event and set a goal of competing at the event. We have less than a month to practice and prepare for it. Commitment. Discipline. Motivation. That all it takes.

When Sifu Brinker asks us in class - where are you/ and what are you doing? I also ask my-self: "why am I doing it?". We all have our reasons for being in Kung Fu. When you are feeling down and unmotivated, think about the WHY. It helps me to re-engage in my training.

I hope to see lots of students at the Tiger Challenge this year. I hope to see YOU there too!