Tears of the Week

For those of you that know me, you probably know (and have seen me) shed tears at one time or another. I am an emotional person, and tears come freely (whether wanted or not) to me, in all in emotions. The best tears of course are my tears of joy.

This past week has seen some tears, surprising right?
Yes, it has been a very emotional week on all scales. From disbelief, sadness, anger, over capacitated, and yes, tears of joy.

I am really enjoying reading everyone's posts, and how everyone is sharing their situations, stories, and struggles. I think this is the best way to get through this situation. To lean on those around us, and never forget, we are not alone. I have shared some tears with you this week as well.

I find myself in a roller coaster of emotions from day to day. I am working with the public, and most people, of course are fearful, and unsure of the future. As much as I try to push my fears, and insecurities to the back of my mind, they have surfaced from time to time this week. I am very fortunate to have my team around me at work, who are all sharing the same feelings. I have consoled, educated, trained, and just been someone to talk to, more in this past week, than ever before. I am very grateful that I can be that person for someone that needs it. Especially in this unprecedented time we are now in.

I was on the phone with a customer the other day, and he has just returned home from several weeks in Mexico. He lost his wife 3 days after Christmas to cancer. He decided he would get away to their winter home, as they had planned, before she had passed away. We had an appointment this coming Monday, and he phoned to cancel as he is in isolation. Without a conscious thought I immediately asked him if he needed anything, such as groceries, as he surely did not have much after being gone so long. There was silence on the other end of the phone, I thought we had gotten disconnected. After a moment, he finally answered. He was choked up, and couldn't believe I was asking such a thing, as I was his 'bank' lady after all. He assured me that his neighbors had already done some shopping for him, and he was okay. He was very thankful that I had offered, and was a bit in disbelief, as I believe it was unexpected. I reiterated that if he did need anything, to not hesitate to give me a call. This surprisingly did not cause the tears for me, it was the voice mail he left me about an hour later. He wanted to apologize to me for not thanking me enough for offering to help. He was so surprised that I had offered, he was speechless. He wanted me to know that I was a special person, with a big heart, and he was very grateful. I was humbled, and as I had said, there was no thought involved in asking, it was a natural response to his situation. His voice message caused my tears.

We have heard this many times in the last week from our leaders at Kung Fu, and I cannot stress enough, that now is the time to be that positive, caring person for someone. It, now more than ever, could possibly be the positive difference in their lives. Be thankful and grateful for what, and who we have in our lives, including our Kung Fu family.

My brightest highlight of the week was our online I Ho Chuan class, as it felt it was the only normal part of my week, to be in class. Even though it was from my living room, once I was in the moment, nothing was different, and nothing else mattered. And again, I cannot express my gratitude, and appreciation enough to Master Brinker, and the entire team that has made it possible for us. I have shared many tears with you this week. Thank you....

Uncertainty

Uncertainty, yes I am going to blog this week about what is happening around the world, and top of everyone's mind.

Right now there is a lot of uncertainty, fear, and panic going on everywhere in the world. I do not want to talk about that, rather the good that is also happening.

I have gotten email notifications from I think every single entity that I receive email notifications from, of extra precautionary procedures being taken amid the Covid-19 outbreak. This is heartwarming to know that these extra precautions are there to help me, and all others to help keep us all safe.
Some stores are even offering further discounts, waived fees, or extended hours for their in store online ordering, and pick up, or delivery. This is all for our well being.

I have customers cancelling or rebooking appointments ahead of time if they are not feeling well, or just being proactive, and careful. I even had a customer offer an elbow bump instead of a hand shake.

My favorite story of the week - we have a Facebook community site for all of our neighbors to share information. The other day, one of the neighbors put a post out that she was heading to the grocery store, and wanted to know if anyone needed anything, if they were stuck at home, and couldn't get out. The response to this simple post was overwhelming with an outpouring of gratitude and thanks. 
This is the person that we need to be, amid this uncertain time.

Change is hard for people, and causes all sorts of reaction. That is what this is, change for the way everything normally runs. This change will be in effect for a while yet, I believe, and will cause further change to come.

I think it is important as to how we all react to this change, and who we become because of it.

Be safe, be proactive, instead of reactive, and most importantly, be aware, and informed. There is a  multitude of information available if you are concerned, or symptomatic, and what to do about it.

Let's all be there for our family, friends, neighbors and communities as a positive force. One act of kindness turns into two, and three, and so on. Your kind word, action, or empathy can go a very long way everyday, but most especially in the uncertain world we are living in today.

Be safe, and healthy everyone. See you on the mats!
Pushing on, and pushing up

My Blog

Now this may seem silly, or a little mundane, but this week, I am going to blog about my blog.....
There is a reason for this, I promise.

In my first year in the I Ho Chuan, blogging was my biggest struggle, as well as my biggest failure. I have blogged more this year, than I did all of last year already, I think. This does not make me proud, nor does it make me very happy. But I can say, that it did teach me a valuable lesson.

When I signed up for I Ho Chuan, I made a decision to have a responsibility to myself, my team, and my leaders. In blogging, I did not live up to my responsibility.

Now fast forward to the Year of the Rat, and a new I Ho Chuan year.
It has been a fantastic start, and I am feeling strong, proud, and look forward to what the year will bring.

This, I believe, has a lot to do with my blogging. I sat myself down, and had a good, hard, stern talk with myself about what my promised responsibility means to me, and what I want it to mean to others around me.

I am learning so much more, feel more engaged, and so inspired. I made a pact to myself (and my team) that I would blog every week, read everyone's blog, and comment on everyone's blog. Even if sometimes my comment is a thank you, it is because that blog has meant something to me. Whether it is big or small, it doesn't matter. I am learning about my team mates, gaining confidence, and making me a better me along the way.

So I thank you team mates for your inspiration, sharing your stories, tips, tricks, and insights; as you are as well helping the rest of your team every time you share a blog.

Hmm, who would have thought that Master Brinker was so bang on when he talks about blogging being such an important part of our training. Again a reminder to myself to never pass up the knowledge that is being offered to me for the taking.

See you on the mats....
Pushing on, and Pushing up

Instant Gratification

It seems more and more nowadays that we live in an instant gratification world. People feel as though everything should be now, and no thought or consideration is put towards a demand.

Now, don't get me wrong, there is certainly situations that demand an instant action, but not always.
Even 10 years ago, you wouldn't have even have thought to walk into a doctor's office, dentist office, or a bank, among other places, and demand you be taken care of immediately. And then be angry about it when it couldn't happen, because the person being helped thought ahead about their needs and booked an appointment.

Sifi Brinker posted a good quote about a week ago regarding smart phones, and it makes me wonder if this digital, fast paced age we live in now, is not somewhat the cause of instant gratification. I don't have the answers, but I do know that in most cases an instant resolution is not always the best.

For example, I was in a store the other day, and there was one person working the till. There was a line up of about 6 or 7 people waiting to pay. The person behind me was complaining (loudly, so the cashier could hear) about having to wait, and not having enough staff to 'properly' handle the shoppers. I felt bad for this young girl that was doing her best to help the customers she was there to do a job for, and as quickly as she could. When it was my turn to pay, I thanked the cashier for her hard work, and working as quickly as she could (and did say it loudly enough that the person behind could hear me). We don't know why she was the only cashier - maybe she was the only one that bothered to show up that day for work, and is left with the fallout from angry customers, because she decided that she was going to fulfill what she was hired to do. 

I guess what I am trying to say is, we don't know why some situations take place, and we should not jump to the conclusion that it is their fault. Be appreciative of someone else's time and effort. And again, I bring this back to instant gratification. It seems people are more impatient, wanting to be the only person that matters, and to heck with everyone else.

Compare this to kung fu - if I went to a store and purchased a black belt, so I could show it off, what am I gaining from that? Less than nothing. I have learned nothing, and I have just wasted money on a belt that means nothing.

I know how proud I feel when I have worked hard for something, and I finally meet that goal. It is even more rewarding when I have failed along the way, and have had to adjust, and work it out to be successful. No instant gratification. I have worked hard.

Sorry for my rant, it has been a fairly frustrating week at work, and I wanted to share, and if I can get 1 person to think before being negative, or expecting something to happen immediately if it is really not needed, than that is one more person that has made this world a happier place.

Thanks for listening, see you on the mats!
Pushing on and Pushing up!