Bidding Adieu to 2020

 Happy New Year 2021! 

While we bid adieu to 2020, there is sure a lot to reflect on. It was definitely a year of change, but also a year of amazing opportunities. If there was ever a year to take your Kung Fu out into the world, it was 2020.

We had many opportunities present themselves to us, that we otherwise would never would have had due to Covid. Online classes, one on one's, and a wonderful opportunity to take our Kung Fu to the next level. Yes, it was not easy to adjust, and constantly pivot, but this past year also showed resilience, empathy, community, and perseverance. 

I cannot remember a year where I have seen so much compassion in our community. From the programs that were initiated to collecting devices for the less fortunate, to increased food bank donations, volunteers for shopping, and many, many other truley compassionate ideas, that may otherwise not have been founded. 

I organized a food bank drive and collection for the Kinette Christmas hampers at work at the beginning of December, to help with the Christmas season for these charities, as I know they had definitely seen an increase in demand this year. While we normally do fundraising for the Kinette's this time of year, we were also unable to do our normal fundraising actives. It was amazing to see how the community stepped up. In 2 short weeks, we raised more than $1800.00 for the food bank, and $800.00 in cash, and 8 large boxes of toys for the Kinette's. Compassion. The food bank received so many donations this year, they actually asked up to keep our funds for the Coldest Night of the Year walk in February, as they were out of room for more donations! Compassion. 

This year was also an amazing opportunity to take our Kung Fu training to the next level. With virtual classes, we were given the chance to really take advantage of our journey's, and see where we are at. With one on one's with our instructors, we were handed a gift to connect personally with our instructors, which time doesn't necessarily allow for in class. 

Our Christmas advent calendar, thanks to Mrs. Ferris, also provided fantastic engagement, and was a lot of fun to participate in. This also was a great way to evaluate our Kung Fu. This challenge provided fantastic insight, and inspiration for me. 

I have decided to do a Year of the Ox challenge. I will focus on one aspect of our training every month, and do a different weekly challenge every Sunday. I am very much looking forward to seeing how this can take my training to the next level, and the insight it will bring me. I know the Year of the Ox does not technically start until Feb 12, 2021, but I decided to start this calendar year New Year. What a better way to start a year? It was a great way to end the year, so why not?  

See you all on the screen, and hopefully in class soon! Happy New Year!!