Taking Charge

Throughout our Kung Fu training we talk quite a bit about intent and recently we have also discussed spirit to intent. My understanding is that a persons spirit needs to be aligned with their intent. I have discovered that when the two don’t line up properly this can cause problems with footwork, technique, timing, etc. Knowing your intent is only part of the equation. 

My spirit wants very little to do with punching, blocking, kicking and most things related and I have a personal bubble that reflects this. Working with a person on applications becomes a challenge as they are now inside my bubble. My body wants to freeze or move in slow motion and my brain wants to over think everything, all while trying to do. I know what the intent of the exercise is but my spirit is not aligned so my body will not move accordingly.

Through repetition I could probably learn each specific application and preform them well but would I be able to adapt on the fly if something didn’t go as planned or if I was asked to do a totally different application? Probably not. So this led me to come up with a solution as to how I could fix the problem. I came to the conclusion that it requires looking at things from a slightly different perspective and adjusting my mindset. 

Looking back I can recall times in my past when I was able to step up and take charge during an emergency situation or during an unexpected stressful situation. I was able take control of my thoughts and actions to handle the events at the time even though it was outside my comfort zone. Because of this I know that I have the ability to take charge and do what needs to be done without overthinking.

So I just need to transfer this to everyday situations and Kung Fu. It is about taking charge, controlling where my mind takes me, visualizing myself in a leadership role and thinking of myself as a person that others may look to for help. It’s a mindset that I don’t generally have when I’m inside my big bubble. So my goal lately has been about "taking charge". This requires being engaged, enjoying what I am doing and thinking of myself as a potential leader. I have the ability to exercise control over my thoughts, how I act and how i react. Repetition is still going to be needed and mistakes are going to be made which I will embrace as learning tools. I may not be able to change my inherent spirit or even want to, but I can evolve and learn to take control of my thoughts and actions in everything that I do.

This past week has been difficult for me as I am one of the many that has been laid off and the uncertainty of everything has been very stressful. In times of stress and unwanted change it can be difficult to stay positive so I’d like to remind everyone the importance of expressing gratitude daily for all that we do have. I am grateful for my family, friends and our Kung Fu Family. I am also grateful for all the work that has been put into building an online platform so that we can continue our training. Yes this is a huge change and while it may not be ideal, it is an amazing opportunity for us to all learn and grow together. Challenges and the need for adaptation makes us stronger. 

So, while I’ve had my down in the dumps moments this week I have also been able to "take charge" and see the potential for positive growth and change. I believe that the challenges that we face during this pandemic will create opportunities for us to evolve as a community and as a planet. With so much negative out there in media land, I like to focus on the many individuals and small businesses stepping up and donating their time, money, products and services to those in need. We can all do our part by checking on our elderly neighbours, supporting small business in the community and just offering support to each other.

Namaste

Michele Ward