Purpose and Peripheral Vision

Once again a crazy week! But wanted to keep on the path of weekly posts, and as this week is almost done, my time is running really short!

This week has been about purpose - what is the purpose of what I am doing?? Sometimes it is very clear, and others, not so much! But I learned something interesting too - sometimes what I think the purpose is, turns out to be completely different when the task is done! Sometimes, I am so focused on the task at hand, I forget why I am doing it. When it is completed and I look back and realize what I have accomplished, it wasn't for the original purpose I thought it was. And it becomes much more clear as to why it needed to be done! Hmm what a thought!

I have been working on a lot of courses at work this week, preparing for another training session coming up next week, for my new position. For some of these courses, they are about tasks I have been doing for years, and I think I have a good handle on it, and know the information. And then, I get a curveball, and realize I have been missing important information. I see the purpose in redoing these courses now. We get so focused on the day to day, we don't even see when we miss something.

Peripheral Vision was brought up in class last night, and a good explanation around it. You need to be focused on what you are doing, and how you are doing it; but you also need to be aware of what is going on around you! You can't be so focused on that one task, or technique, and forget about everything else. You need to see the whole. And be aware of the whole.

It still amazes me every time, when something is talked about in class, and I have time to digest, and analyze after class, how much all of these discussions, and lessons, have to do with everything in life! From day start to day end, and in between. Soaking it all up, and steps to Mastery. Slowly but Surely!

Enjoy the rest of your week everyone!

Pushing on, and Pushing up!!

Odd Week

Well this past week was definitely an odd one for me. I missed two out of three classes. This doesn't normally happen, unless there is no scheduled classes, or we are on holidays (and that only happens every few years if we are lucky lol). As work took me away the first part of the week, and then a quarterly meeting at my moms care facility caused me to miss my I Ho Chaun class on Thursday.
I missed class! I missed the mats! I almost felt as if my muscles, and mind were a little lethargic because of it. Normally if I had missed classes like this, we are busy doing something kung fu related anyway, or on a marathon holiday (as my husband describes). Although my usual push ups and sit ups were there for the week, the mental kung fu didn't get much time this week.
The potato bake was a great success again this year! I think this was the highest numbers we have seen to date. Again, I missed a good part of it, as I had to work, but did catch the tail end. The weather was beautiful, and good company was had. As Master Brinker and I chatted about the success, we also chatted about the missing non I Ho Chaun members. As only two families not in I Ho Chaun were there. I think next year we should brain storm a little harder to get the rest of our school involved. It is such a fantastic way to get to know the people behind the uniform on the mats, and their families.
On the positive side of this week, this is my second post in a week, and I haven't attained that since March! And it feels pretty Great! Although not writing about anything earth moving, it feels good to get a post in!

Have a Great Week everyone, and see you on the mats at all the classes!

Pushing on and Pushing up! Thanks for reading...……

Re-Engage

There has been a lot going through my mind in the last few weeks - first off, and most important to me right now - is re-engaging in my blogs!! As Master Brinker spoke about blogging at our meeting yesterday, and about the all the timers, the intermittent bloggers, and the not at alls; I felt a wave of guilt, as I am in the intermittent group. I admit, it is on my mind, and in my plans, and then falls by the way side, through busy life. So as he put it (in my mind), without saying it, and as Nike says so well - JUST DO IT! Find the value, keep the perspective, and get into the routine!! Here I am......

I apologize to you all my fellow teammates that I have been intermittently blogging. Classes are going very well, I only have missed a couple of classes due to unavoidable circumstance, and numbers are on par for the year. I have made the promise before, and intend to change my perspective, adjust my routine, make a routine, and BLOG!! May not be on the same day every week, but batten down the hatches, and bring on the BLOG!!

Another point that is always on the forefront of my mind since a class several weeks ago, is when Master Brinker stated - Change the Intent.  Hmmm....now that was a concept that blew my mind!!
Since joining I Ho Chuan I have been really concentrating, and focusing on my intent. I have often asked the question of a Sifu in class - what is it that I am doing, what is my goal in this? What is the end game? Mostly it is with a form I am working on, but it has been with a certain technique or two as well. I found myself getting frustrated, as my intent, or what my mind thought the intent should be wasn't working with the way my body was creating, or finishing that intent. I feel that overall it has changed and improved my training, and my mindset, but there is times, I don't feel like I am reaching the goal. Now, change that intent, wow! It is resonated further when I ask the question of what I am doing, and I am asked what do I think I am doing? It has been said that everyone's intent can be different, as long as the goal is the same. I have changed my 'intent' in a couple of things, and guess what - it isn't changing the technique, but it is helping the technique be successful. Who'd have thought!! I love these aha moments, especially when they are least expected.

Day one, new purpose, new intent, new routine.

See you on the mats, pushing up, and pushing on. Have a Great Week Everyone!!