Leading (where?)

Sometimes innocent remarks can be taken the wrong way. As an instructor I'm always careful with what I say. Sometimes it is limiting. I'm not going to lie to someone but at the same time there is always a good and a bad way to say something.

Even a positive note can be taken the wrong way by someone else. For example, if I say that "all students that signed up for forms seminar are great",  does it mean that the students who did not sign up (for whatever reason) are not great? No of-course not. But it might seemed that way for some students.

Anything we say and do as leaders has an affect on our surrounding. It is no surprise that leaders lead by example. We do what we want others to do.

Not just another day

Yesterday in our IHC meeting there were few of us who talked and made me feel this is all worth it. Hearing Mr. Kirkman and knowing how much the group support is important to him, to hear about Mr. Kohut success story - wow, hearing about Mrs. Tomie feelings towards the kwoon and how she is enjoying quality time with her daughters (and smoke free for a month!). There were more stories and I think this was one of these meetings were I felt - there is a purpose for all of this. Not just for me but for others in the team.

Then there was today...

Early lion dance at the Rotary Run for Life. What an event - full with powerful emotions. I hope that I will never have to deal with something like that with a close relative. It felt so great to be part of the lion dance (even if my part was minimal) opening the event ceremony.

Then later in the afternoon, a demo at the seniors lodge. The team did great. We had multiple demos going on including the lion dance, weapon forms, hand forms, fight choreography, board breaking and dragon dance. It was awesome! Everyone who was there did a great job! I think the seniors really enjoyed it. What a great community service from our team.

I'm so happy to be on the IHC team and feel privileged to know each and one of you.

Plank Challenge

This year was and still is very challenging in the physical aspects of my requirements. My back is not cooperating, to say the least, with my routine and my plans.

I've been working on some back exercises routine and also mobility routine that I hope will get me on the right path for full recovery but it has been bumpy in the last couple months due to vacations and other stuff.

I decided I want to improve my core strength and chose the plank as my go to exercise. I am going to challenge my self to do 1,000 minutes of plank by the end of 2016. I will keep a weekly tally on SRKF Google group to keep me motivated and to try to encourage others to join me.

Best recovery wishes

Feels really bad when a friend is suffering and I can't help. I'm reaching out but I don't know how to help him.

It is very sad for me to see a person I enjoy being with, in that state where he is not able to spend time with anyone due to his condition. I hope he can recover soon and be back on his feet.

Best recovery wishes!!!

Home

I spend time at the kwoon. I enjoy being there and I feel it is my second home. So many hours spent at the kwoon with my family and friends. Why can I call it home? Because I make sure it is maintained as my (real) home is. Keep it functional, clean.

The kwoon maintenance week is always a great way to get connected with the kwoon and make it your home. The more you help out and take initiative the more it will benefit your training and your journey to black belt.

This year there are no major renovations but there is still the need to do our yearly deep cleaning. There is also going to be a potato bake on Thursday (September 1st from 6pm to 9pm). What a great way to get to know other people who train at SRKF and have some fun with a bone fire!

Routine

After we got to the farm, we got the instructions of what we should do and when we should do it.

Waking up early, the morning chores are supposed to be fro 6:30 to 9:00. Now with my technical mindset and with changing the order of few things (and the fact it is the 2 of us doing the work) we  reduced the time it take for the morning chores from 6:50 to 7:30.

That made me think about the hectic life most of us have. While at home I wake up earlier, go to bed later, busier all day.

As busy as I am in my normal life, I think I manage due to a routine that I have established. Deviating from the routine due to a stat holiday, vacation or work is making Nguyen it so much harder to keep the high pace I'm going at.

I love my routine as it helps me to stay active and alert as well as allowing me to accomplish many things at work, at home and at Kung Fu.

Be prepared

Again and again I'm reminded that you always need to be prepared. Who would think to go on a camping trip for a week without rain gear, a hat, warm clothes. If it is nice and sunny now, it does not mean it is going to stay the same.

Being prepared for a fight (or not to fight) is the same thing. The fact that it is calm now... You need to be prepared to the possibility that someone will come after you. Being aware of your changing surrounding and having a plan for different scenarios.

Today I feel very unprepared. Farm sitting and I didn't even think to bring my boots or my rain coat. Now we will have to see how I complete all the morning tasks when it is pouring rain... :-(