Tiger Challenge aftermath

Tiger Challenge is one of the best days for me. It is also one of the hardest one.

This day is filled with emotions. Stress, pride, friendship, emptiness.

The stress level is high. I'm nervous about my performance, my kids' performance (are they going to get a medal?), the kids I teach performance (are they doing good?), is the event going to run smoothly?

Then pride sips in when my kids and wife are competing (although being very nervous) and are winning and getting some medals, I'm doing good with my forms (next year I might steal the gold from sifu Playter :-)), the Advanced Black Dragons are looking pretty good and very creative (I was so happy to see that) and all the events are running smoothly - this was the earliest we finished.

There was even one moment that almost ruined the whole day for me - but I will leave that for a future blog.

Talking with fellow friends and having the pizza at the end was very nice and I hope I was not too short towards anyone because of me trying to see what is happening (and need to happen) in all 3 rinks.

Then coming back home - there was a crash. The adrenaline was gone. This happens when you prepare so much for something and then it is gone. There is nothing more to do... I don't like this feeling.

Looking back at the Tiger Challenge this year - I think it was a success for me personally. Not without struggles and not without frustrations but overall the good overcomes the ugly...

Goal Achieving with Dopamine

There are 4 "happy" chemicals in our body. 2 are selfish - Endorphins and Dopamine - they help us get thing done. 2 are selfless - Serotonin and Oxytocin - they help strengthen our social connections.

Dopamine is a dangerous chemical as it is highly addictive. It provides us with instant gratification/pleasure. The body is releasing Dopamine when we have a sense of completion - achieving goals, completing tasks, getting things done.

Dopamine was put into place by Mother Nature to incentivize us to move forward with what we've committed tourselves to doing by giving us little bursts or "hits" of the dopamine chemical whenever we take a small step towards achieving a desired outcome.

This is why setting goals and then following through is an important part of a black belt journey. We need our body to release dopamine to keep us moving and we do that by attaining our goals - big and small.

Thanks for what?

It is Thanksgiving now and like everyone else I should probably write about how thankful I am... Thankful for what?

6 weeks ago my cousin was killed from a rocket attack in Israel. I was not really close to him as he was few years older than me and rarely spent any time with him as a kid. I did not even know how many kids he had until after. He had 2 girls and one boy, older than my kids.

I cannot imaging leaving my family behind. It can happen anywhere. Car accidents, disease, etc.

I need to be thankful every moment of my life that I am still alive, that I am healthy (mostly :-) and that my family is doing well. I can forget all the things that don't make me happy (there are many of these) and all the things I want and can't have.

I have a lot and I want to keep it this way.

Struggling

How can I tell if someone is struggling? Attendance? Blogging? 

How can I tell when I'm struggling? Motivation to get up is down, there is no drive to continue practicing. 

Routine has been a key for me. It keeps me engaged and connected. Last year we were working hard for July 1 and then I was working hard preparing for my grading. The engagement continued all the way to the ceremony with countless hours of practice. 

This year there was a void after July 1. August was hard with few weeks of vacation followed by a week away from home for business. And then was the big change in my routine - I stopped going to the early morning class. With 3 Sifus and only 3-4 students I didn't feel I'm getting what I need from being there. 

The problem is that I did not find my routine yet. I'm occasionally going to the gym and did some yoga classes but I'm lacking the consistency. Changes at work are definitely not helping as I'm trying to find my place again. 

So what should I do? I would like to hear what you have to say. I'm hoping to be able to find my routine again. 

Forgiveness

A man was on a train sitting next to a young man in his twenties. The young man seemed stressed and was constantly looking out the window.

After about an hour the old man ask the young man "where are you going?". The young man answered that he is going to Janesville. After a little pause, the young man told the older man that he is going back home after not seeing his dad for 5 years. "I did something really bad and knowing that my dad will be very angry at me, I left without saying goodbye."

The old man ask if the dad knew his son is coming back. The young man said "I sent him a letter few weeks ago telling him I'm coming back today. I told him to put a white rag on the big maple tree in the field before the train station if he wants me to come back home. If there is no flag, I will know he did not forgive me and I will keep on going."

When they got close to Janesville the young man asked the older man if he can spot the maple tree as he is too nervous. The older man agreed and exchange seats with the young man. Looking for the tree, he was astound not see any tree in the field. He told the young man "I think your dad forgives you. The tree is covered with rags.

Lions in the house

This last Friday was the first time I enjoyed the lion dance. I think I'm getting used to it and although my back is hurting, I'm enjoying it. 

I think that I can see the purpose of the lion dance training and knowing how great it could be having 8 lions dancing around... 

Blogging

Hoping to get back to the kwoon after being out for 3 weeks. After 2 weeks vacation and one week away for work, one of the things that keep me engaged and connected are the blogs. Unfortunately there are not too many of these. Most of the team is not blogging on a regular basis.

I want to encourage everyone to use this on a regular basis and share what is happening in your training and in general.