Correct, Don't Protect

I recall at the start of the year reading the last 3 words of 'Mastery' by Stuart Emery and feeling at the time that they really weren't necessary. Why add "Correct, don't protect" at the end? I am now beginning to understand how powerful and important these 3 little words are.

Even though my training and achievements have been on track this year, I have been struggling with some negative feelings off and on. A bit like a yo yo effect. Mostly I am able to recognize the low spots and recover quickly. Lately though I have been feeling like a bit of a "fake." These are the times when I feel alone even with a strong supportive team, as this is an internal battle that I fight. 

Feelings of being "fake" or not being enough is a way of invalidating and protecting myself from potential future failures and moving forward. I know that if I allow myself to continue with these thoughts and feelings I am giving them more power. I need to recognize when this is happening and make corrections without invalidating myself and my achievements. 

There are days when mastery shines or mediocrity rules and then there are the days where a combination of both take place. I think that it is those days where both are present that create this feeling of being "fake." Why I am on this journey towards mastery if I allow so much mediocrity into my life? I know what I want to and need to be doing and yet I am secretly eating chips and ice cream with my friend mediocrity at my side, even though earlier that same day I entertained mastery and completed all my push ups, sit ups and forms reps. 

Is mediocrity a way for my mind and body to protect itself? Protecting those comfortable bad habits from being ripped apart and molded into something better? Protecting me from potential failure, or expanding my bubble and leading to greater success?

Sometimes the opponent that we are in battle with is ourself.  Remember to stay calm, assess the situation, breath and make the necessary corrections. And always endeavour to do the best you can in any given moment. Also recognize that your best may be different from moment to moment depending on the situation. If mastery feels overwhelming at times then maybe think more about working towards consistency as you grow into mastery.

Corrections and adjustments are an ongoing necessity as we travel this path. I am committing to making these corrections with love, gratitude and a large measure of joy!

Namaste everyone!

June Numbers

I was able to make some adjustments and improve my numbers for June. I feel that I have a decent routine going with a few tweaks needed. I also made a change to my personal requirement of stillness each day and am feeling better about this. Stillness is back on track and happening more regularly with more work to be done though.

Updated numbers as of June 30th

No quitting ✔ 

Push ups 20374

Sit ups 20980

Lau Gar 571

Shoto 574

Sparring 87 X

Kilometers 269

Acts of Kindness 557

Mend a Relationship ✔

Journal min 1x week ✔

Featured Journal Posts ✔

Online Presence ✔

Tiger Challenge - ✔

Zero Unexcused Absences ✔ 

Excel in Curriculum - Instructors would need to judge

SRKF Projects - 2 projects, SRKF Virtual Auction & Livestream Table of Contents

Mastery - Reading most days and starting to memorize

Namaste everyone!

Mindful Recording

Recording my numbers helps me to know where I am at, whats working, what isn't and when adjustments need to be made. I realized as I sat down this morning to tally up my numbers for June that there is another component to recording our numbers and achievements. I'm talking about mindfulness. 

I could simply keep track each day and add everything at the end of the week or month without considering the results and taking the appropriate action. This would not be mindful and there would be much less benefit. I may have totals for the year, but those totals would most likely be lower due to a lack of mindfulness. 

Consider everything that is taught and learned from our "history books." Without those history books and archives, there would be no record of events and therefore very little knowledge and learning to be gained. Some of the same mistakes may be made, opportunities lost and ripples diminished.

A person that eats healthy foods is going to benefit from the food they put into their body even if it is just habit and not done with much mindfulness. Someone else that eats similar healthy foods in a completely mindful manner will gain even more benefits. Benefits like gratitude, understanding of what is best for your body, increased energy and more.

I've tried a few different ways to keep track over the years and find paper is my go to.  I record everything I've accomplished each day and then add it to the wall calendar in my office at home. This also helps to keep it in front of me as I walk by several times a day. I also find there is value in adding the totals manually at the end of the month because I need look at each day and I can see where there were gaps and why. Doing this gives me a better understanding of how not training and/or not recording my progress impacts the final results. I also see the days with big numbers and think wow! Was this simply a case of more time or increased motivation and engagement?

Going forward in addition to recording my numbers I will also be jotting down some notes each day to get a better sense of what impacted those number for better or worse. I'm thinking I may need to find a bigger calendar. 

Namaste everyone!

Asking Questions

There is a natural progression that we each experience throughout our training as martial artists. But, in addition to that, there is our own individual self awareness and improvement. Unique to each of us. I remember thinking the first year I had joined the IHC that somehow without even realizing it at the time, I had actually signed up for a year long self discovery and improvement workshop. And, it turned out to be the best decision ever!! 

I continue to find it truly amazing all of the things that I am learning in Kung Fu. Things that I never would have thought had anything to do with learning a martial art. Imagine if you were a brand new student in Kung Fu and you were told that as part of your training you would learn to journal and blog regularly, reflect more deeply, become more mindful, improve your question asking skills and much, much more. As I sit here writing, I am reminded again of all the benefits of training at Silent River Kung Fu. 

For the past 6 months or so I've been learning and working towards formatting better questions. Asking the right question takes some thought and requires a bit of skill. Why is the question being asked? Is it because you know the answer and your ego needs some stroking? Is it because you think you know the answer and need to know if you are correct? Or are you gathering information to increase your knowledge and skill set? Also ask yourself if you are looking for a quick easy answer before even trying to apply your existing knowledge and skill. 

This past week I've been more focused on a sticky part in one of my forms. After working on it numerous times I'm no closer to solving the issue. I tried to apply my current knowledge regarding transitions, six harmonies, and expansion and contraction. I know that part of the issue is my  right knee, but I feel like at this point in my training I should be able to figure things out based on what I know and then fine tune with help from a Sifu.  

Yes, I know this is a perfect time to book a one on one and ask a question. The trouble is I was having a difficult time figuring out what the question should be because I didn't know what the problem was and where to even start. What I took away from this is that sometimes a simple request for help may be needed and another set of eyes to provide feedback. There is a a balance point between figuring things out for yourself and asking for help or asking the right question. What you know or think you know to be true may be more difficult to apply in a specific circumstance and set of variables.

I continue to be amazed and humbled as I travel this path.

Namaste!

Take 22 ...ish!

I had anticipated that the questions for the virtual demo would present a bit of a challenge and I wasn't wrong. Oral vocabulary is something that I struggle with so I am grateful for the opportunity to practice this in a way that allows for errors and numerous retakes. There were some comical moments and a few frustrating ones as well, but all was good in the end. The not so techie me even figured out Dropbox. Yay!

Thank you to Ms. Lee for being my weapons partner. Practicing and video taping our forms together was a great experience. We found a perfect little park to practice in and had to get a little creative with the rocks. Note: no rocks were harmed in the filming our video. All were returned back to their original homes to the best of our ability. LOL 

It can be challenging producing a video with 2 people in it where both participants feel good about the finished product. Getting that great video usually means numerous retakes. I think our best video came after redirecting our focus to push ups and sit ups and then coming back and doing one last weapons video. We finished just as the sun was starting to set. It's all about team work, opportunity and what you do with it. Can't wait to see the final product!

Namaste!