The Ripple Effect

All you have to do is watch what happens when a stone is tossed into the water. A ripple is created and that ripple gets bigger and bigger. A beautiful pattern is formed on the surface of the water. This is what we see with the naked eye and yet there is also an unseen effect above and below the surface. A slight movement of the air, oxygen is added to the water, the energy is enhanced and the ripple effect continues. The stone itself is no longer where it originated and has now changed the environment at the bottom of that body of water. All changes no matter how small or large can be perceived as positive or negative.

For every action there is a reaction. The ripple effect has a huge capacity to create change in our lives, our society and the world around us. The possibilities are endless. Pick up one piece of garbage and maybe one person watches you and they do the same. The ripple continues. Talk about mental health for instance and we build awareness and possibly help even just one person. Can you imagine the ripple effect that would create?

 Change can be scary, exciting, overwhelming and take us on new paths as we move along on our journey. We need to be prepared to make adjustments and go with the natural flow that the ripples are taking us in. Knowing this and applying it to our day to day lives can be difficult and requires conscious thought. I am currently dealing with an issue at work and I have been trying to figure out how to apply this to my situation. My job requirements have changed drastically in regards to working evenings and weekends, which conflicts with my obligations as a single parent. I can stand and fight  and expend a lot of energy for no guarantee of a positive result or I can take it as a message to make a change.  I believe that the ripples are guiding me in a new direction. This would mean changing jobs, which in itself is very scary. This is not the first time change and conflict at work has occurred. Previously I have mostly loved my job, but over the past year that has been changing and is no longer the case. So I ask myself how often does the universe need to hit me on the head before I listen?


Numbers for the week

Sit ups           1200
push ups         770
Walking          0  (misfit is not behaving)
Kempo            7x
Nunchuks        0
AOk                20

Bye for now, Michele

Mind - Friend or foe?

Life can throw you a curve ball once in a while and sometimes more often than not. About 7 years ago I had 2 major curve balls thrown at me. They really shook me up but I persevered and stayed strong for my kids. It took me about 3 years to recover and get back on track. At that point in my life I focused on routine, consistency and what I perceived to be balance in my life. I also knew that I wanted to experience more in life. To do that I would need to stretch my limits and make conscious decisions to go beyond the norm as opportunities presented themselves. I have slowly stretched those limits and done and experienced some pretty amazing things.

I have:  Spent 3 weeks travelling through India (much different from a vacation, but loved it)
             Floated down the Ganges River in a row boat (not a fan of water or small boats)
             Walked across a large suspension bridge (heights not my thing)
             Flew in a four seater air plane and even flew it for a few minutes
             Took apart a toilet, rebuilt the inside and reinstalled it in my bathroom
             Joined Kung Fu and the I Ho Chuan ( completely out of my comfort zone on so many levels)

There have been other small victories and I am looking forward to many more. Life is for living not merely existing.

I try to always ask myself will I regret not doing something when the opportunity presents itself. Some things only come around once. You may not get a second chance at another time. I remember a couple of years ago asking myself that same question in regards to getting into a kayak. I got in and pushed myself off from the shore, wobbled around a bit, (wasn't any more than waist deep) and started to panic. I promptly said enough and was helped back to shore. I was OK with that because at least I had tried and my son also saw that I hadn't let my fear keep me from trying. Not everything is for everybody.

To me balance is all about family, friends, health, work, community, activities, continued learning, and feeling good about yourself. Joy and passion in our lives can come from one specific thing or even the whole of everything put together. Individually each of those components can vary and not necessarily be equal. The weight or importance that each is given can not be expected to remain constant. Expect and embrace the changes as they occur.

My biggest road block is my mind. It is my enemy at times, but it can also be my best friend and keep me motivated. I can't even begin to describe my journey so far. Hundreds of thoughts and feelings go through my mind every week. Some are positive and some are negative, but the routine of performing the basic requirements help to keep me grounded. Coming to classes and meetings no matter how difficult keep me engaged and on track no matter how I'm feeling. The path and journey that I have set for myself is moving me steadily towards having true balance and joy in my life.


Numbers for the week

Sit ups          1100
Push ups       808
walking         33k
AOK             24
kempo           0
nunchuks      58

Happy Mothers' Day! Michele

Tough Week

It's been a tough week for me. There is a lot going on in my head and that's not usually a good thing.   I should feel good about keeping up with my daily physical routine, but I know that it is not enough. There is still much more that I need to be doing. Plus the constant pressure of performing in front of others is taking it's toll. I was just starting to get used to going through my form in front of others and the anxiety and fear had lessened somewhat. Yay!  Now we have a demo to work on. Instead of feeling relief after our last formal class, there was just this huge overwhelming feeling of: too much, too fast! I felt panicked, and almost physically sick. I actually had myself convinced that I needed to opt out of the demo.

Fast forward a couple of days and I'm feeling slightly better. I'm not sure what my decision is going to be, as far as the demo is concerned and I probably won't know until Friday night. I have been working on my combination this past week so I will be prepared either way.

The next couple of months will be busy with my son soccer schedule added into our regular routine. I also have doctors appointments scheduled and a biopsy some where in the near future. I am also testing for my orange belt this week or next week. Feels like a huge emotional roller coaster.

Come Monday, I need to get back on track. With a brand new week staring tomorrow I plan to improve my eating habits (not so good the past couple of weeks) and add more into my daily routine that points me in the direction of my goals. A little less lazy time will help me to be more productive and feel better about where I'm at.

Numbers this week            Total to date

sit ups        1100                  12290
push ups    725                      7110
walking     19k                       377k
kempo       11                            90
nunchuks   12                          186
Aok's         10                            96


Bye for now,  Michele

Decisions

We all make multiple decisions and choices every day. But have you ever really thought about the decisions that we make on a daily basis (big and small) and how they determine the direction our life is taking. How often are we consciously aware of the choices or decisions we are making at any given moment in time?

When an important decision needs to be made, I usually put a lot of thought and effort into that decision. Sometimes too much and I over think things. When it comes to every day routine decisions the awareness isn't there and the decision isn't being made with any kind of goal in mind. Too much of the day is wasted and doesn't bring me closer to my goals.

I find that I am really starting to understand and I am able to connect the dots between awareness, being mindful and what it means to be fully present and live in the moment. If we consciously practise all of these things, they will become habit and we will be better equipped to make decisions that move us in the direction of our goals. How exciting is that?

Totals for the  week

sit ups          1080
push ups       720
walking         misfit not syncing, will update as soon as able to
Aok's            11
Kempo          8x
Nunchuks     23x

Bye for now,  Michele

Sound focus

We are all taught the theory of sound focus and are given lots of opportunity to practise during class time. Knowing the reasons and benefits to sound focus does not necessarily make it any easier for a lot of us to do.  I have had more than a year of classes to practise this and I have not used this time to the best of my ability. Sifu Playter asked us on Wednesday night why we were not doing sound focus. My answer was that I am not comfortable doing it. Thank you to Sifu Csillag for reminding me of a recent post I had made about stepping outside your comfort zone and not having any regret. This got me to thinking if I could do push ups at the airport then why can't I do sound focus.  I realised that the reason was a lack of desire or need. What makes sound focus different for me and why am I not motivated to do it?

The answer is; I don't want to because:

I don't like to draw attention to myself. 

Yelling is usually done in anger or fear.

it feels like loosing control and letting go.

In addition to not being comfortable doing sound focus, I also find it can be challenging to remember techniques and combinations as well as adding in a sound focus. If my energy level is low sound focus for me can be also be difficult.

Sifu Langner took the time after class to talk with me about sound focus. He went over the reasoning behind sound focus and how the instructors get excited when students use it. He talked about technique and his own struggle with sound focus. Most of all what resonated for me was how he talked about it being a part of the curriculum. Sound focus will not be any easier to do, but at least the desire and motivation is now there. 

Numbers for the week:

sit ups        1150

push ups     730

walking      38.7km

kempo        8x

nunchuks    9x

AOK's        6x

Bye for now,  Michele

sharing

I've come to realise that much of my life has been spent in a state of avoidance. Avoiding conflict and confrontation, staying within my comfort zone, and avoiding anything that causes anxiety or fear have always played a huge part of my life. Acceptance and having a sense of belonging has always been important to me. I am also a very private person and sharing does not come easy. I wanted to change all that.

Being a part of the I Ho Chuan team is so much more than its requirements. I feel like we have only just begun and barely scratched the surface and yet I have already accomplished so much. My anxiety and fear of being part of the team is starting to be replaced by a little bit of excitement. Excitement for myself and everyone else on the team as we continue on this journey. Thank you to everyone for sharing at the meeting on Saturday. It really does mean a lot.


Numbers for the week

Sit ups       1080
Push ups    720
Walking    35.8
AOK's       10
Nunchuks 62

Bye for now, Michele

Awareness and AOK's

 My son and I were in Mexico last week for some well deserved rest, relaxation and quality time together. While I was able to keep up with my push ups and sit ups, I really found the AOK's were just not getting done and wondered why that was and how I could change it. My surroundings and routine had changed drastically from being at home. While at home I had developed a routine and AOK's were mostly the same day after day.

As I  became more aware of the people around me, opportunities presented themselves and the acts of kindness became easier and more natural. That awareness also helped me to see the kindness displayed in others around me.

  My son joined a kids' soccer game on the beach one afternoon. Kids of all ages and skill level played together. As I watched I was impressed by the respect they showed each other and the great sportsmanship they all displayed. During the middle of the week my son injured himself. Luckily a doctor from Edmonton was there on vacation with her family and came over to assist us while waiting for the resort doctor. After examining him, she reached out and took my hand and assured me that he was going to be fine. It might not seem like much, but that small gesture meant so much. The resort doctor took over and after a couple of stitches to the back of his head and a day of rest he was almost as good as new.

Acts of kindness can be hard to measure or keep track of sometimes. They are not always tangible moments in time. This past week I became more aware of the people around me and realised that AOK's can be as simple as showing respect, dignity and kindness towards others. When we are aware of tangible and intangible acts of kindness displayed all around us, I believe that our own AOK's will come more often, be easier, and feel more natural.

                    Mar. 22-28     Mar. 29-April 4

sit ups          1080                1080
push ups       650                  690
walking        41.6k               53.9k
kempo          7x                    0
nunchuks      9x                   0
AOK's          11                    6



Just about forgot to mention, I did more push ups at the airport again when we left Mexico and this time Logan took a video of them. I also managed to convince him to also do some and I got a video of him.

Bye for now, Michele Ward