Not Your Typical Tool Box

Joining the IHC team we are all given a 1 year subscription towards mastery and as a signing bonus there is a shiny new tool box (list of requirements) to get us started on our path. Before the year even starts, we are presented with a starter set of tools (push ups & sit ups ) to get us going and help build some momentum for the coming year. Big heavy tools! 50,000 reps strong for each. It is up to us to learn how to wield and apply these tools. 50,000 is a big number and yet when broken down into small increments it can be one of the easiest and most beneficial tools if used correctly. 

Does success come from checking off each requirement or from discovering oneself within the process of tackling each requirement to the best of our ability? Even though the answer is obvious, it is something that is best discovered by each individual. Each requirement is a tool to add to our tool box. Some though can be more difficult to pick up and use. And even harder to see benefits if not using mindfully.

I had recently read through my journal posts from the past 6 months as a reminder of my journey so far. Through the process of growth and discovery I am realizing that my tool box has been constantly expanding. Working with the tools provided has helped me to discover and pick up new tools. These are tools that are specific to me. I can store these new tools and have them collect dust or I can place them somewhere visible. Reminding myself of their importance and keep them in working order. The following words, ideas and practices have all been added to my tool box.

1/2 tsp - every little bit counts                                   Take measure & evaluate

Mastery - read every day                                           Stillness

Progress Wisely                                                         Humility

Offer the best of myself                                             No regrets 

Consistency                                                                Expand my bubble

Be like water                                                              Don't give up

Trust the process                                                        Gratitude

Letting go                                                                   Patience, empathy & compassion

Reflect                                                                        Just do it!

Embrace & enjoyment                                               Correct, don't protect 

Commitment, choice & willingness                          30 seconds or less                                                                         

Namaste everyone!

Choice, Commitment and Willingness

I find it interesting how we can be presented with words, phrases or ideas that resonate with us at a particular moment in time. They are usually words and or ideas that we may even be familiar with. Seeds that have already been planted. I recently heard the words choice, commitment, and willingness used together in a sentence. This led me to thinking about the dictionary definitions and also reflecting on their deeper meanings. 

Signing up and taking part of something as important as the IHC team required choice, willingness and commitment. Everything that I do in life whether it is Kung Fu, work, community or relationships is comprised of these 3 words. 3 words that I have now added to my tool box. Checking in with myself regularly will help me to keep these words and ideals in front of me and keep me on track for success.

In addition to the definitions I have added some of my own thoughts on each word.

Choice

"an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities" 

Internal and external choices

Check perspective before making choices

Commitment

"the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc"

"an agreement or pledge to do something in the future"

Commitments and contracts that we make with ourselves and others

Being reliable and accountable

Willingness

"the quality or state of being prepared to do something; readiness."

Saying "yes" to opportunities

Stepping outside of our comfort zone

Engagement and enthusiasm

By keeping these words in front of me at all times I am expanding my capacity to learn, grow and develop compassion for myself and others. And I mention compassion because there will be times where failure is present and compassion is needed to learn and grow. 

Namaste everyone!

Kung Fu is my Candy Shop

I have always found enjoyment and a sense of wonder in discovering new tidbits of knowledge and understanding. There was a time earlier this year when the moments of discoveries while training seemed to stop briefly. Because of the lack of shiny pieces I could feel myself becoming less motivated. Thankfully awareness was present and adjustments were made.

Orange/green belt was a huge pivot point for me. Blue belt has been a combination of speed train and at times slow motion with frequent discoveries and aha moments. I absolutely love it when pieces click and fall into place. Its that same sense of wonder I experienced as a child. Only now I am taking information and instruction and putting it into practice, making it my own and feeling it. I am also trying to dial it back a bit and not shout out my newest discovery all the time. I feel like a child in a candy shop!

As much as I love those aha moments, I am recently finding less need for them. I am trusting that training mindfully and consistently will continue to earn me more discoveries and aha moments. And if they aren't happening, then I am not training enough or in the right way, or there are components to focus on that need some extra work and time. 

Earlier this week I sensed another transition taking place. I feel myself stepping out of my bubble more. Instead of wanting and needing to do everything correctly I find myself embracing the discovery of incorrect thought processes. Asking questions and getting feedback are an essential part of learning and development. Don't get me wrong though, I do still want to be doing things correctly, but am more open to learning and embracing the process. And being kinder to myself.

Namaste everyone!

30 Seconds or Less!

30 seconds is such a small amount of time, and yet meaningful or necessary tasks can be completed in those 30 seconds or less. 

Asking myself at various times through out the day, "What can I do in 30 seconds or less?" has become a great tool. And the benefits can translate to multiple small accomplishments in a day. 

I often find myself leaving things for later so that I can get to more important tasks like heading to work or doing errands, etc. During especially busy days where I am coming and going or feeling unfocused and unproductive, the 30 second rule brings me to the present and gives me a feeling of accomplishment and control. The best part is the seemingly insignificant amount of time required. No commitment needed to carve out a larger block of time and no stress involved.

I may not be able to clean the kitchen in 30 seconds, but I can put something away or wipe a counter in 30 seconds or less.

I can't do 100+ pushups in 30 seconds, but I can do 10 - 15 pushups in 30 seconds or less.

I'm not able to drink a cup of coffee or tea in 30 seconds, but I can stop for a moment of stillness or gratitude in 30 seconds or less.

I may not have time for a meaningful conversation in 30 seconds, but I can project positive thoughts or give someone a hug in 30 seconds or less.

This is not about getting more done or being able to add more into my day. Instead I am taking advantage of those often overlooked and under used moments in time and making them count for something. I am transported into the present moment and it feels great!

All it takes is 30 seconds or less!

Namaste everyone!

July Numbers

Moving forward I will be posting my numbers and progress on my blog page. This will be available for anyone wanting to see, but will not be posted to Kwoon Talk. It always felt weird to me to post this to the team. Out there for all to see. Its a bit like hey..! Look at me. Which is not something that I am very comfortable with. And the aspect of humility feels like it is getting a bit lost in the process. 

There is definitely value in keeping track of my progress and being transparent as far as what I am doing so I will continue to post my progress to my own blog site which is still accessible for others to see if they choose to. 

Stillness is happening each day, but I would still like to see an increase in frequency. Will continue to work on this and build the length and number of times each day.

My kilometres are mostly tracked as intentional and anything that is not typical or routine movements back and forth at home or work. I had made the decision to not wear a fitness band at the start of the year and thought I would be farther along than I am. Looks like I will need to add more into my day to improve the numbers.

Sparring is starting to improve. I have some ideas on this to increase the progress. This is one of my least comfortable aspects of Kung Fu and therefore a very valuable tool to utilize and to improve on.

Updated numbers as of July 31st

No quitting ✔ 

Push ups 24499

Sit ups 25340

Lau Gar 722

Shoto 720

Sparring 137 X not on track

Kilometres 354 X not on track

Acts of Kindness 629

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!

Decluttering

I've taken on the task of helping my 86 year old dad declutter his house this summer. The decluttering has also led to assistance with banking and bill organization etc. I knew at the start that this was going to be a time consuming project. At the beginning my thought process was to go in and just get the job done.

Day 1 started with dad's desire to clean up the breakfast room. Art supplies and paper everywhere. Task completed and dad was pleased with the result. We've since moved from there to the kitchen, the dining room, the living room and now we are into our 3rd day of dealing with the den/office area. 

I'll usually bring a salad or a home baked treat to share out on the deck and then we get to work. The time that we are spending together is precious and so beneficial for both of us. I know this helps to motivate dad and give him some direction in what was becoming an overwhelming situation. 

I have been rewarded with lessons of patience as I deal with frustration and learning to adapt to an evolving situation. Some days end up being more about computer help with forgotten passwords etc. I also have to remind myself that what I envision is not necessarily the same for my dad. I practice minimalism and dad is no where near that same ideal. So I am careful to always ask before putting an item into the donate pile. When he eventually moves into a smaller place I know we will be doing this all over again.

Often our time sorting through things leads to discussions about the item and its history. Dad enjoys sharing the information and I enjoy the history and quality time spent together. And I know that at times I am a bit too pushy, but if I wasn't, very little would be accomplished. Its about knowing when to push as I help him to see the benefits and when to back off. 

I really feel that Kung Fu has helped me to increase my ability to step back from a situation and see things from different perspectives. Understanding that we are all at different levels of awareness, ability and understanding. What works for me doesn't necessarily work for the person in front of me at any given time. And when I do get frustrated I am learning to step back and readjust my perspective and come at it from a different angle. 

Namaste everyone!