I start by saying I'm an optimist. If I've portrayed myself correctly, I would hope that this is stating the obvious. I always have something to look forward to and when I'm not looking forward to something, I'm learning from something that went wrong in the past. I prefer to be looking forward. It's exciting, planning and preparing for the future. That's why every December I start getting excited for the banquet and demonstrations. The kick-a-thon ends and I suddenly have a new goal. I start listening to music and watching my students more closely to spot their hidden talents that I can expose on stage. After that I have a week to plan the kids sleepover for Chinese New Year and then we start preparing for the tournament right away, followed by summer camp and new students in September. It's the same every year, but we just keep getting better.
Following this year's banquet and demonstrations I took out the videos from past years. It is incredible to see how the performances have changed. I for one am not fifteen anymore and you can see improvements in each year. I have higher expectations of my students and hope that they are setting higher goals for themselves as a result.
Why do I bring this up? Every year I get excited about this and we do the same thing, but we do it better. Why not apply this same way of thinking to my everyday training? Right now I am getting excited about Tai Chi and looking forward to the day when I don't have to ask Sifu Robertson what comes next in Part 4. And who knew that doing Tai Chi in my condo with all the lights off, alone on a Tuesday night, while listening to RnB would be enjoyable. I didn't know until yesterday and now I am excited to go home and practice again tonight. I'm looking forward to it.
So instead of looking at practicing as something I should do because I know it will make me stronger and a better martial artist, I am going to get excited about it and make sure that it is something I want to do for myself, just because it feels good. I encourage every one to take this approach, especially with the Tiger Challenge just around the corner. Make practicing something you love to do and set some easy goals so you are always being reinforced. If blackbelt is your only goal you are going a long way without anyone patting you on the back. So build in some minor goals, and not just stripes on your belt either. Make it your goal to get your heels down in Kempo and then celebrate when you accomplish it. You're able to set your mind to something and then accomplish it, and then find something else to be excited about. Life is a lot of fun when you are always excited. It takes an exceptional amount of energy, but it's worth it.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Friday, March 7, 2008
Making A Difference
I have just begun catching up on everyone's blogs, reading months worth of wisdom and inspiration. I have really been missing out! There is so much there that makes me think about the world differently and think that maybe with a new outlook I can make it through the difficult months ahead.
As I was reading the blogs of other black belts, I felt like I needed to write something to inspire others and make changes in the world, but I guess you could say I'm at a loss for words. I don't have the life experience or knowledge to write something that will actually make much of a difference. But then I thought, that's not a true statement. I make a difference everyday.
I am a regular goal setter, for myself and others. If someone is falling behind in one of my classes or not performing as well as they could, I set a goal for them and make sure I stay on them so they can be the best they can be. I use cheesy lines that make people feel good about themselves and at least I'll get a smile out of them even on the worst days. I've made grumpy people giggle and that is making a difference.
I guess I wanted to write this because sometimes, in between thinking we know everything and that the world is against us, young people can feel like nothing we do or say makes a difference. I've been lucky enough to know I make a difference every Tuesday and Thursday for the last seven years, but not everyone has a stage as I do.
The world is not against me, people are actually listening to what I have to say and I'm making a difference... Let's hope they only heard the good things I've said ;) Everyone makes a difference. I'm thinking now that I should have called this post Random Acts of Kindness because that's what the world needs. Holding doors, telling jokes and funny stories, and making people laugh are things that make a difference. Graham was teaching our beginner Black Dragons that it is important to open doors for people... why? Because the girls love it! He gave them a silly reason, which I openly disagreed with him on, but I bet all the boys in the class will be holding doors for years to come. Everyone should be courteous, not just the guys to the girls. Little things like this make the world a better place and you don't have to have life experience or any kind of wisdom to make it happen.
Even just now, as I write this from my work computer, my second last customer was so pleasant and friendly that I'm having a better day and was very friendly to my last customer and now my co-workers. I started out a little grumpy because I am currently under the weather, but one man I have never met and will probably never meet again made a difference and the world is all happy and there was much rejoicing ;) haha. If you don't know where that's from you won't find it funny. Hopefully people get it though.
Overall, I'm writing to say be pleasant and don't worry if you're like me and can't write some inspirational speech to change the world. You're already doing so much everyday. Just be you.
As I was reading the blogs of other black belts, I felt like I needed to write something to inspire others and make changes in the world, but I guess you could say I'm at a loss for words. I don't have the life experience or knowledge to write something that will actually make much of a difference. But then I thought, that's not a true statement. I make a difference everyday.
I am a regular goal setter, for myself and others. If someone is falling behind in one of my classes or not performing as well as they could, I set a goal for them and make sure I stay on them so they can be the best they can be. I use cheesy lines that make people feel good about themselves and at least I'll get a smile out of them even on the worst days. I've made grumpy people giggle and that is making a difference.
I guess I wanted to write this because sometimes, in between thinking we know everything and that the world is against us, young people can feel like nothing we do or say makes a difference. I've been lucky enough to know I make a difference every Tuesday and Thursday for the last seven years, but not everyone has a stage as I do.
The world is not against me, people are actually listening to what I have to say and I'm making a difference... Let's hope they only heard the good things I've said ;) Everyone makes a difference. I'm thinking now that I should have called this post Random Acts of Kindness because that's what the world needs. Holding doors, telling jokes and funny stories, and making people laugh are things that make a difference. Graham was teaching our beginner Black Dragons that it is important to open doors for people... why? Because the girls love it! He gave them a silly reason, which I openly disagreed with him on, but I bet all the boys in the class will be holding doors for years to come. Everyone should be courteous, not just the guys to the girls. Little things like this make the world a better place and you don't have to have life experience or any kind of wisdom to make it happen.
Even just now, as I write this from my work computer, my second last customer was so pleasant and friendly that I'm having a better day and was very friendly to my last customer and now my co-workers. I started out a little grumpy because I am currently under the weather, but one man I have never met and will probably never meet again made a difference and the world is all happy and there was much rejoicing ;) haha. If you don't know where that's from you won't find it funny. Hopefully people get it though.
Overall, I'm writing to say be pleasant and don't worry if you're like me and can't write some inspirational speech to change the world. You're already doing so much everyday. Just be you.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Writing
In the sihing class about a week ago, Master Brinker brought forward the idea of creating a training blog to publicly address strengths and weaknesses, and also provide a means in which to track the 26 000 pushups over the next few months. I was surprised at the hesitation of the class about the idea, but then again I'd be hesitant too.
I don't want my peers to know where I am in my training. If I have a bad day and write down what I'm feeling, I don't want the world to know about it. What if they laugh at me or think I'm less of a martial artist because of it. I would be very uncomfortable with the whole thing... IF I were at a different school.
If you're worried about anything I just said, don't. I know it's not that easy. We're allowed to be self conscious and worry. But look at these people you've been training with for the past few years. Think about the select few that have been chosen to train at our school, and I do mean chosen. We're surrounded by a support group; people that have been through injuries and personal struggles. By sharing your struggles, you're making yourself available to advice that may fix your problem. There may not be an immediate solution, but at least you won't be alone.
One example I know of is Sifu Wetter's speech "What Kung Fu has Done For Me". He wrote about his broken hand and how 26 000 pushups was such a challenge because of it, but he over came it. He made his struggle public and helped others because of it. Another student who broke his arm in a rather humorous situation, knew about Sifu Wetter's injury and asked for help. Other black belts have had problems that have gone unknown until their speech, but when they make them public people understand more and respect the individual for being open and sharing personal details of their life. It's eye opening for those reading or listening in the case of the speech.
We all have difficulties, but you don't get anywhere by hiding them. What good is it if you know your side kick sucks, but you do everything in your power to fake a good one. How will you improve? If I really want to do something I tell someone about it and then I make sure they stay on me. If I'm not accountable for myself, at least someone else will be giving a good boot in the rear to get me back on track.
The reason I am really hoping that people embrace Master Brinker's suggestion is the sharing of ideas. I love that I can come online, not that I get to very often, and write whatever I want and let everyone know what I've been thinking about. So many of my students have brilliant ideas, but they are not sure what the time and place is to tell someone else. If you're passionate about something, come online and write about it. Let me know why I should be living, sleeping, dreaming Kung fu or animals or motor cycles or anything! If you spot an act of kindness, write about it. If it made you smile it will probably make someone else feel good too. If we all feel good, then we'll act good and the cycle continues.
When I look at this I see nothing but positive outcomes. Every year in the black belt speeches, family within the school is brought up. We're all part of it. Silent River Kung Fu is a safe place to share yourself, so go crazy and write to your hearts' desire :)
I don't want my peers to know where I am in my training. If I have a bad day and write down what I'm feeling, I don't want the world to know about it. What if they laugh at me or think I'm less of a martial artist because of it. I would be very uncomfortable with the whole thing... IF I were at a different school.
If you're worried about anything I just said, don't. I know it's not that easy. We're allowed to be self conscious and worry. But look at these people you've been training with for the past few years. Think about the select few that have been chosen to train at our school, and I do mean chosen. We're surrounded by a support group; people that have been through injuries and personal struggles. By sharing your struggles, you're making yourself available to advice that may fix your problem. There may not be an immediate solution, but at least you won't be alone.
One example I know of is Sifu Wetter's speech "What Kung Fu has Done For Me". He wrote about his broken hand and how 26 000 pushups was such a challenge because of it, but he over came it. He made his struggle public and helped others because of it. Another student who broke his arm in a rather humorous situation, knew about Sifu Wetter's injury and asked for help. Other black belts have had problems that have gone unknown until their speech, but when they make them public people understand more and respect the individual for being open and sharing personal details of their life. It's eye opening for those reading or listening in the case of the speech.
We all have difficulties, but you don't get anywhere by hiding them. What good is it if you know your side kick sucks, but you do everything in your power to fake a good one. How will you improve? If I really want to do something I tell someone about it and then I make sure they stay on me. If I'm not accountable for myself, at least someone else will be giving a good boot in the rear to get me back on track.
The reason I am really hoping that people embrace Master Brinker's suggestion is the sharing of ideas. I love that I can come online, not that I get to very often, and write whatever I want and let everyone know what I've been thinking about. So many of my students have brilliant ideas, but they are not sure what the time and place is to tell someone else. If you're passionate about something, come online and write about it. Let me know why I should be living, sleeping, dreaming Kung fu or animals or motor cycles or anything! If you spot an act of kindness, write about it. If it made you smile it will probably make someone else feel good too. If we all feel good, then we'll act good and the cycle continues.
When I look at this I see nothing but positive outcomes. Every year in the black belt speeches, family within the school is brought up. We're all part of it. Silent River Kung Fu is a safe place to share yourself, so go crazy and write to your hearts' desire :)
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