Regret is a negative conscious and emotional reaction to personal past acts and behaviors and missed opportunities.
There are times when we are presented with an opportunity to take part in something. If we take too long to decide that opportunity can pass us by.
I have consciously choosen to always try and seize the moment to the best of my ability. To not let my lack of confidence or fear get in the way.
Last Saturday my son and I were at the airport waiting to board our flight to Mexico. As we waited, I thought about how Master Brinker talked about doing pushups in public places like the airport for example. I wanted to do some push ups. The little voice inside my head debated back and forth and I knew if I didn't, I would be wishing I had. As preboarding started and the seating area began to clear, I realized it was now or never. So I dropped to the floor and did 15 push ups. My son was amazed and so was I.
No regrets! What a great feeling!!
I will post numbers for this past week with next weeks journal entry.
Adiós Michele Ward
Monday, 30 March 2015
Monday, 23 March 2015
Take the challenge
A very good friend of mine organised a peace walk in Calgary recently and she was very pleased with the turn out for the event and the show of support. All the comments were positive and even one of the news stations did a story on the event. Every thing was more than she could hope for, but she was sad when she found out that some of the participants were walking to promote an anti war message and that was not the purpose of the walk. This left her with a negative feeling until her sister pointed out that everyone had there own reasons to do the peace walk, what matters is they walked, and believed in peace.
We are all subject to being dragged down by negative feelings and in some cases becoming incapacitated by those feelings. The challenge is to figure out how to think about those events and circumstances in a positive way. Acknowledge how we are feeling, and work at adjusting our mindset.
Think about the opportunity for growth that negativity gives us when we are able to overcome it and turn it into something positive, and how that can empower us.
I challenge everyone to document all perceived negative circumstances and events in your lives this week Acknowledge how you are feeling and redirect your negative thought process into a positive one. This is reality for most of us. Please post your results throughout the week so that we may all benefit and cheer each other on. I believe this will provide us with a positive focus, help us to become more productive, and build success in our lives.
Totals for the week
sit ups 1090
push ups 645
walking 20.8km
sparring 5min
kempo 18reps
nunchuks 17reps
AOK's 13
Have an awesome week!
Michele Ward
We are all subject to being dragged down by negative feelings and in some cases becoming incapacitated by those feelings. The challenge is to figure out how to think about those events and circumstances in a positive way. Acknowledge how we are feeling, and work at adjusting our mindset.
Think about the opportunity for growth that negativity gives us when we are able to overcome it and turn it into something positive, and how that can empower us.
I challenge everyone to document all perceived negative circumstances and events in your lives this week Acknowledge how you are feeling and redirect your negative thought process into a positive one. This is reality for most of us. Please post your results throughout the week so that we may all benefit and cheer each other on. I believe this will provide us with a positive focus, help us to become more productive, and build success in our lives.
Totals for the week
sit ups 1090
push ups 645
walking 20.8km
sparring 5min
kempo 18reps
nunchuks 17reps
AOK's 13
Have an awesome week!
Michele Ward
Sunday, 15 March 2015
Fear and Strength
Getting up in front of other people and doing anything is nerve racking. We almost all have some degree of anxiety and nervousness. I personally, would go out of my way most of the time to avoid such situations in the past. Friday night's class was the sheep teams' first opportunity to stand up and preform our weapon forms for the rest of the team.
I experience anxiety and fear on a regular basis, but this was a totally new high for me. The only thing that kept me going and able to get through it was focusing on my breathing. As I focused on breathing deeply, my anxiety, my panic, and my emotions all wanted to get the best of me. I was determined. That was not going to happen to me. So I focused on my breathing. In and out, in and out. As I was doing that something else happened. I realized I was only focused on myself and was only partially aware of what was going on around me. I remember thinking that my team mates deserved my full attention as they entered the circle and I needed to really watch each one of them as they went through their form. Being more in the moment also helped to redirect some of my anxiety in a positive way and I am happy to say I did not pass out. In a few short weeks we have accomplished a lot. Awesome job sheep team.
"Every time your fear is invited up, every time you recognize it and smile at it, your fear will loose some of its strength." by Thich Nhat Hanh
Sit ups 1080
Pushups 675
Walking 40.8km
Kempo 25reps
Nunchuks 54reps
Aok's 12
I experience anxiety and fear on a regular basis, but this was a totally new high for me. The only thing that kept me going and able to get through it was focusing on my breathing. As I focused on breathing deeply, my anxiety, my panic, and my emotions all wanted to get the best of me. I was determined. That was not going to happen to me. So I focused on my breathing. In and out, in and out. As I was doing that something else happened. I realized I was only focused on myself and was only partially aware of what was going on around me. I remember thinking that my team mates deserved my full attention as they entered the circle and I needed to really watch each one of them as they went through their form. Being more in the moment also helped to redirect some of my anxiety in a positive way and I am happy to say I did not pass out. In a few short weeks we have accomplished a lot. Awesome job sheep team.
"Every time your fear is invited up, every time you recognize it and smile at it, your fear will loose some of its strength." by Thich Nhat Hanh
Sit ups 1080
Pushups 675
Walking 40.8km
Kempo 25reps
Nunchuks 54reps
Aok's 12
Sunday, 8 March 2015
98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed
Being a new member of the I Ho Chuan team and not knowing what to expect during our first class; formal or informal held no meaning for me. Now that I have attended both formats I can see there are obvious differences between the two. Despite these differences they both felt the same to me. The classes had great energy and I felt they were a safe, positive place to practise, learn and interact with other team members.
March 2nd was Dr. Seuss's birthday and it reminded me of his book Oh, the Places You'll Go! I remember reading it for the first time many years ago and thought at the time what a wonderful inspiring message for our children. Hope this helps to inspire and motivate all of us on our journey this year.
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
By Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.
I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't
Because, sometimes they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
Number for last week
1080 sit ups
605 pushups
29.3km walking
11 form reps
11 AOK
March 2nd was Dr. Seuss's birthday and it reminded me of his book Oh, the Places You'll Go! I remember reading it for the first time many years ago and thought at the time what a wonderful inspiring message for our children. Hope this helps to inspire and motivate all of us on our journey this year.
Oh, the Places You'll Go!
By Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
It's opener there
in the wide open air.
Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.
And then things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.
OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!
You'll be on your way up!
You'll be seeing great sights!
You'll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.
You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.
You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you'll be best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.
Except when you don't.
Because, sometimes, you won't.
I'm sorry to say so
but, sadly, it's true
that Bang-ups
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.
You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You'll be left in a Lurch.
You'll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you'll be in a Slump.
And when you're in a Slump,
you're not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.
You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?
And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.
You can get so confused
that you'll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles cross weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place...
...for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or the waiting around for a Yes or No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.
Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for the wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.
NO!
That's not for you!
Somehow you'll escape
all that waiting and staying
You'll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping,
once more you'll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You'll be as famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.
Except when they don't
Because, sometimes they won't.
I'm afraid that some times
you'll play lonely games too.
Games you can't win
'cause you'll play against you.
All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you'll be quite a lot.
And when you're alone, there's a very good chance
you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.
But on you will go
though the weather be foul.
On you will go
though your enemies prowl.
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl.
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.
On and on you will hike,
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.
You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never foget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
You're off the Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!
Number for last week
1080 sit ups
605 pushups
29.3km walking
11 form reps
11 AOK
Sunday, 1 March 2015
Mind over matter
"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure." - Bill Cosbey
As I am driving to the kwoon Friday night, I don't know what to expect and I am feeling anxious. The closer I get the more terrified I feel. Can I do this? Should I be doing this? Yes, I should and I can! I remind myself to be in the moment when I get there. Don't think about anything else. And guess what? I survived, and really enjoyed my first I Ho Chuan class. I started working with the nunchuks
on Friday night. I've never liked any sort of object flying towards my head, so I'm not sure what I was thinking when I chose the nunchuks as my weapon form but I am enjoying them and haven't hit myself yet. Thank you, Mr. Repay for your help and guidance on Saturday.
I have a fear of failure and it has kept me from doing many things over the years. But on the other hand that same fear of failure is what will motivate me to succeed. Being mindful, and believing in myself will go along way towards my success.
I'm happy with my totals for the week. Pushups continue to be a challenge but they are improving. I will continue to work towards the daily goal of 180. The challenge for me seems to be what to consider as an act of kindness and how to remember each one and record them. Each week brings some sort of challenge to figure out and overcome.
Totals for the week:
sit ups - 1090
pushups - 615
forms - 6
AOK - 5
walking - 36.5km
As I am driving to the kwoon Friday night, I don't know what to expect and I am feeling anxious. The closer I get the more terrified I feel. Can I do this? Should I be doing this? Yes, I should and I can! I remind myself to be in the moment when I get there. Don't think about anything else. And guess what? I survived, and really enjoyed my first I Ho Chuan class. I started working with the nunchuks
on Friday night. I've never liked any sort of object flying towards my head, so I'm not sure what I was thinking when I chose the nunchuks as my weapon form but I am enjoying them and haven't hit myself yet. Thank you, Mr. Repay for your help and guidance on Saturday.
I have a fear of failure and it has kept me from doing many things over the years. But on the other hand that same fear of failure is what will motivate me to succeed. Being mindful, and believing in myself will go along way towards my success.
I'm happy with my totals for the week. Pushups continue to be a challenge but they are improving. I will continue to work towards the daily goal of 180. The challenge for me seems to be what to consider as an act of kindness and how to remember each one and record them. Each week brings some sort of challenge to figure out and overcome.
Totals for the week:
sit ups - 1090
pushups - 615
forms - 6
AOK - 5
walking - 36.5km
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