The Opposite is Exactly the same

 Whaaaat??? I was perplexed at this statement at first. And then….

The question was posed in class - I focus more on the hand coming back then the hand going forward, is that wrong? Or very close to that. The answer at first was - you are doing the same in the opposite direction. Makes sense, right? Further example was a coin. When you flip one side, you are also flipping the other. AHA! 

This brought on a lot of reflection, and ultimately a lot of direct attention to what I was feeling.

Harmony, more specific - 6 harmonies. When I focused on what I was doing and feeling, I was also concentrating more on the pull back more so than the push forward. But. When I pulled my hand back, my other hand naturally pushed forward. This is something I became aware of feeling around the orange belt level, and it was an aha moment then. Sometimes I think my forms and movements naturally happen because I have trained that way. It was really great to analyze that, and really focus on what I was feeling elsewhere, and not specifically on the technique itself. Feeling the ground through my feet, to my hips, which went into the shoulder, to ultimately provide the technique. I will be exploring this more in all my forms, and techniques, which in turn will slow everything down quite a bit. But I think I need this, and my hope is it will in turn provide growth and ultimately the goal of no mind. Wuxin. A work always in process. 

Thank you for the question Mrs Kohut. 

Farewell to the Ox

 As the Year of the Ox is quickly coming to a close, I have found I have learned some valuable lessons this year. I always try to learn and benefit from opportunities, but this year was a bit different in a few ways. 

First, I attempted to grade for my Black Belt, but work still needs to be done. I learned so much on the journey, but in a different perspective than previous years. Getting your Black Belt I feel is a turning point in the journey of Mastery. This is the ultimate recognition for the work you have done, and the path we are on. I learned to appreciate my failures, and recognize them not as failures, but as opportunities. Tools, not hoops. I am grateful for the opportunities I was given, and will carry forward the knowledge gained in my journey as a martial artist. 

My personal life had several twists and turns. Mostly with my mom, and her dementia. We were told in April to prepare as she was not going to make it. Several weeks later it was decided to move her to long term care, as she was doing fairly well. She is still doing good, but is in end stage dementia. This can last for months or even years, and is difficult to watch. But I am so grateful for the time given to us. 

My job has certainly had some ups and downs as well. Covid has been tough of course, causing staff shortages, and constant pivoting; but there has been many other changes as well. Some good, some difficult to adjust to. 

I look forward to the Year of the Tiger, and all of the opportunities to come. 

I am here

 Wow, does the clock spin fast when you are not paying attention! It has been a struggle for several weeks now. Injury, extreme staff shortages at work, and the busy month of December all rolled into one. Still, no excuse.

It was a rude wake up call when I was used to such a rigid training schedule. To have it clawed back because of injury was tough. It took a lot of adjusting that I did not handle well. I still trained, but modified, and didn’t feel like I was doing everything I should. I’m very much looking forward to getting back into the routine I was enjoying, and feeling like I was progressing in. 

We are enjoying some sun, sand, and relax at the moment. The regular super speed of life will begin again next week. I need to be able to handle it better, and maybe some time away is what I needed. My biggest failure of late was my blogging, or the lack of. In not blogging I have missed opportunities that I won’t get back. I have my notes, and will review, but have still lost the in the moment benefit of those notes. I cannot go back, so time to move forward, and not repeat the same mistakes. 

Here’s to 2022, and hopefully some positive steps forward in this pandemic. Happy New Year all!