The Ability to Move Forward

The ability to move forward requires action!

I’ve come to realize though, that taking action does not always move us forward in the direction and time line that we set for ourselves. I was provided with two separate lessons over the summer months. The first was with regards to completing my practicum for college. The process was much more difficult than I had anticipated, due to a number of factors not in my control. I persevered, found a placement and learned much throughout the process.

The second lesson was in regards to my kung fu training and a goal that I had set for myself. I set a goal, made a plan and even made adjustments along the way as needed. I took action and I worked hard towards that goal, but all that time and effort did not bring about the desired results. I became frustrated and disappointed in the process and in myself. The frustration and disappointment became a mental barrier leading to inaction. Even though I was able to understand the mental barriers causing the lack of continued action, I became stuck and developed a poor attitude.

So, what was the difference between both lessons? Why did I have success with one and not the other?

 The first lesson caused frustration and was stressful, but it was also something that needed to be completed and therefore had more urgency attached to it. Taking a week away from the situation to rest and regroup during that time was also helpful.  The need for perseverance created continued action, which helped me to achieve my goal in the end. My goal of finding an agency to complete my practicum was achieved even though the outcome and time line was different than originally planned.

The second lesson is still a work in progress. I have gained some perspective in regards to my training and I know that everything happens as it is meant to be. One thing I have learned is that sometimes moving forward is about recognizing accomplishments in yourself even if they are not recognized or rewarded by others.  I also learned If there is someone other than yourself involved in the outcome of your goal then that person should be included to some extent when making your plan. I know that all my extra effort and training has benefits even if my goal was not accomplished. My attitude has improved somewhat, but I am still feeling a bit stuck and I am resigned to just going with the flow. I’m not sure that is the best attitude to have, but given my very busy schedule these days, my energy is being directed elsewhere. So that is where I’m at right now.  

Understanding the hidden lessons along the way as well as hard work and patience are key to moving forward. Forward momentum is not always clearly visible and mental barriers can cause us to stop altogether. With this experience and knowledge, I will strive to take action, so that I may continue to move in a forward direction.  

Michele Ward

Risk Being Seen

I recently watched the following Jim Carrey Video, which I thought was important to share with everyone.  It is one of those messages that can be and should be heard numerous times. The opening sentence really grabbed my attention and spoke to me personally.

"Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world!"


Enjoy!

Michele Ward


https://www.facebook.com/goalcast/videos/1018122328264957/

Gratitude Challlenge

    How often do I complain about something, or someone, rather than expressing gratitude or praise?     The answer is ... all too often!

    Complaining about what we don't have, or about something not working the way we want, instead       of expressing gratitude, keeps us in a negative frame of mind and lessens our enjoyment of life.

    This year my summer is not going to be "much to short," instead it will be expressed with nothing       but gratitude and appreciation!!

    Although I consider myself to be a positive person there is always room for improvement. So I am     challenging myself and everyone reading this to be conscious and aware of their words and                 actions. Going forward I will endeavour to think and speak with gratitude, encouragement and             praise.


    Michele Ward

To honor vacation season, and avoid filling up your mailbox (as well as give us extra

The Sacred Balance

I have come across a number of profound sections throughout David Suzuki's book The Sacred Balance. 

The following is just one of many that I would like to share:

To heal our planet and ourselves, we need to move away from "pathological individualism. We don't live on the earth; we live in it."  explains Sarah Conn. 

We must begin to see ourselves as part of our environment, not separate from it. Our identity goes beyond flesh, blood and our actions and thoughts. Our identity includes our natural world, how we move through it, how we interact with it and how it sustains us. When we forget that we are embedded in the natural world, we also forget that what we do to our surroundings we are doing to ourselves. 

If we continue to think of ourselves as separate from our surroundings, we will not be sensitive to the consequences of what we are doing,  so we can't see that our path is potentially suicidal. If we do not see ourselves as part of the natural world and become further detached, we risk a greater sense of loneliness, a lack of meaning, purpose and sense of belonging. Without experiences in nature, we develop ignorance and apathy. (160-163)

Michele Ward

Lessons

I have been the recipient of many lessons this past month, some of which I did not embrace at the time. they were given. These lessons have required some reflection on my part in order to understand what the lesson is and what can be learned from the experience.

One lesson in particular was a reminder that some problems are not always what they seem. I had what I thought to be a back injury that actually turned out to be an issue with my hip flexors. With the correct professional help I was able to address the root of the problem, instead of just dealing with the surface pain.

Taking the time to look beyond what is on the surface is a lesson in itself and provides us with insight and opportunity for personal growth, but sometimes outside help is necessary as well.

Other lessons have been more difficult because they involve expectations, personal opinions and ego.  I have learned that judgement really does not serve me in a positive way and yet I find it very difficult at times to let go, especially when ego, values and morals are involved. I think that it comes down to awareness and a lot of practise. While those lessons may be frustrating, they do serve a vital role in our growth and development.

Michele Ward

Band-aid Treatment

I challenge you to ask yourself this question; when donating to a charity, is that donation a quick fix, is it just a band-aid? Are we just treating the symptoms instead of addressing the root of the problem? If we were to spend our time, effort and money on the root of the problem many charities would no longer need to exist.  While band-aids may be necessary sometimes, they are usually not a permanent solution.

Overconsumption, consumerism, and a desire for convenience, as well as a lack of environmental awareness has led to numerous problems, therefore creating the need for various charitable organizations. The necessity of many charities could be alleviated with mass education, awareness and a change of lifestyle.

A change of focus is needed. We need to think and live differently, be more respectful and in tune with nature and each other.  Everything that we do or don't do impacts nature and the environment around us. The connection is there whether we see it or not.

As human beings we are naturally empathetic and compassionate. It is in our nature to give. Our gift of knowledge, time, and money will produce much longer and more satisfying results when applied prior to the need for the band-aid treatment.

Michele Ward

Know Your Why and Make it Huge!!

Motivation can start with a single thought or feeling. The what! We then need to pause and take the time to contemplate that thought or feeling. Do we want to take action, is there a desire to pursue a goal? In order to then set a goal and accomplish anything, big or small, we require a why!!

 Why?... Why is this goal important to you?  One word or one sentence may seem to be the answer initially, but more thought is required. The process of motivation continues. Dig deep, because a superficial why creates superficial motivation and will only get you so far. Expand your why beyond just yourself, to include possibly family, friends, community and the world. Personal self gain is often not enough to sustain us.

That one initial why and resulting answer can ripple outward, creating a HUGE why!! If your why is big enough, action becomes almost instant and the how becomes much easier and more attainable.

Know your limitations. Know when help is needed and obtain the right help to get the job done. When you write down the steps to achieving your goal also write out all your why’s leading up to the big one. Successful motivation requires knowing all the why’s and the how’s. I believe that is how you stay motivated and reach your goal. Maybe that is why goal setting has always been difficult for me. I didn’t truly understand the why of it.

Know your why and make it huge!!

Michele Ward  

Proud to Call Alberta Home

I'm inspired and overwhelmed at the same time by the generosity of everyone that has helped and offered help to the people of Fort McMurray. The desire to help those in need and the level of engagement that has been displayed is truly amazing and heartwarming.

 Information is everywhere. Radio, television and social media all provide information and therefore create awareness. We have all seen the power of that awareness as Albertans stepped up and helped in numerous ways. Imagine if we could take that same level of engagement and desire to help and apply those qualities to our lives everyday.

Rather than waiting, what if we took action before something happened or is brought to our attention? What if we took action all the time, and made awareness and engagement a habit?

There are many well deserving organizations and charities that require help and donations to continue doing the work that is so important and necessary. At Silent River Kung Fu we support and raise awareness, and money for 5 charities throughout the year. Each one is important for specific reasons and has been carefully chosen. I invite you to research at least one of them, so that you can see for yourself why they are important and need our help. Awareness, empathy and compassion are key components to our Kung Fu training.

Second Chance Animal Rescue    http://scarscare.ca
Northern Lights Wolf Centre        http://www.northernlightswildlife.com/
Children's Ability Fund                http://www.childrensabilityfund.ca/
Atsikana Pa Ulendo                      http://malawigirlsonthemove.com/
Healing Hands of Katmandu

Pandamonium is coming up this Saturday and is an opportunity for us to start a conversation before, during and after about our charities. Building awareness for our 5 charities and their related issues, as well as raising money, fun and coming together as a community is what Pandamonium is all about. Our goal is to raise $15 for every minute of Kung Fu during this 24 hour event, for a total of $21,600. Charities like Scars and Children's Ability Fund have been impacted by the fires in Fort McMurray and will need our support. The need for each of these charities is ongoing throughout the year.

Please... start a conversation and help increase awareness. Awareness is powerful!

Michele Ward

When Wrong is Actually Right

I've spent quite a bit of time working on my forms. In the beginning it was all about remembering the proper order and the different components of the form. Once that is cemented in my brain, I then start to break it down and work on the technique of each strike, block, stance and kick. And just when the form is starting to feel good and I think I've got this, we break it down some more and then it doesn't feel so good . Not quite back to the beginning, but almost... or so it seems sometimes.

For those of us that like to things to be set and follow a logical order it really can mess with your mind, but at the same time can be super cool as you work on the form repetitively and make your own discoveries. Those ah ha moments can be quite amazing and not something that can be taught.

 I remember working on using both hands in my forms, it just about did me in. I struggled at home as I practiced adding in that second hand. There was a lot of negative self talk going on and just as I thought to myself, I can't do this (meaning Kung Fu) I stopped... took a deep breath and told myself I am going to figure this out! I continued to practice and figured it out that very same day. It is still a work in progress, but that's ok.

When I'm practicing a form and trying to perfect it (ha ha! funny), technique is what I grasp and hold on tight to. I try to be mindful of flow, but with the ever evolving form there always seems to be something else to work on. I was doing some reps of Da Mu Hsing on Saturday at the kwoon, when Sifu Hayes shared some valuable insight and instruction with me. One of the suggestions was that I work on flow and speed things up. I was concerned about technique and loosing some of the ground that I had gained, but sometimes we need to go backward in order to move forward, so for now flow is a priority.

It can be difficult to work on speed and flow without stopping to fix things as I go through the form. It just feels wrong! That is where trust comes in. Trust in your instructors, trust in the process and trust in yourself. And definitely some patience.

Sometimes, doing something that feels wrong at first is actually the right thing to do!

Michele Ward

Trees in a Forest

I came across a thought provoking message recently about trees in a forest…

When we stand in the middle of the forest, we are able to appreciate the beauty, and the diversity in nature that surrounds us. As we look around, we become aware of the individual uniqueness of each tree. Some grow tall and straight, and reach high above the forest floor. Others may be bent or spindly, but they persevere. Many different varieties may be mixed in together, not caring who they stand next to. All this, and more adds character and creates the natural beauty in the forest of trees. We don’t stand in judgement of those differences, we appreciate and love all that they are!

 What if we practiced thinking about people the same way we see trees.  Appreciate and love them just the way they are!

Michele Ward