Break it and Build it

 We have been working on breaking down what we know. Breaking it, and rebuilding in ways we have not done before. This is messing with me for sure. But…. Providing so much insight. I am really able to feel the disconnection with 6 harmonies, and top half/bottom half. 

This makes me wonder if the harmonies were truly there before. Was I so used to repetition that it ‘just felt’ I was harmonized? I suppose this is part of the purpose of doing this. Go beyond, truly dig deeper, and the outcome is growth. We always need to grow, and sometimes to grow we need to break what we are doing. 

In speaking about repetition, I was informed that I have added a move in my form that is completely wrong!! What??? This really made me realize that in repetition somewhere along the line I adjusted my technique for whatever silly reason, and most likely concentrating on something else, just went with it. Over and over obviously until my muscle memory took over in the wrong direction. As soon as I was corrected it was a an aha moment. Yup, this is what is right, and actually feels right. Thank you Sihing Csillag. 

Break it, relearn it, fix it. Repeat and don’t lose sight of the correct way, even if the wrong way starts to feel right. My lessons for this week. 

Push ups- 14,135

Sit ups - 14,595

Form reps - Hand 245 weapon 230

AOK’s - 800

Sparring (modified) - 245

KM’s - 704

Blogs - 24

Commitment and Accountability

 I had a very frustrating situation happen yesterday. If I’m honest, I was downright angry. At my work it was discussed in length, and agreed upon by everyone that we would get back out in the community, volunteer our time, and help out where we could. It has been a few years since doing this, since COVID, and finally getting the go ahead from corporate to do so in the last year or so. Last year was not successful due to a lot of staffing changes, but this year seemed to be different.  Everyone showed excitement, and all agreed they would volunteer some time when possible. 

There have been 3 events we could have been involved in so far, and only had volunteers come forward for this weekend. There was one other event in February that several put their hand up for, and then all cancelled out but one. 

This weekend I am volunteering at the Parkland Pickleheads pickleball tournament. I put it out to the team at work a month and a half ago, and had 6 people sign up. This past week 3 cancelled. Last night at 6pm (we go at 2pm today) the other two cancelled. My initial reaction was anger, and while still a little angry, I am more sad now. How do the people we confirmed our time to all of sudden fill two positions they were counting on? How fair is that to them? 

I understand you cannot force or even expect people to volunteer their time. I understand life happens. But I do feel it is also not unreasonable or an unfair expectation when you commit yourself to something, to be held accountable for that. 

Much like our IHC commitments. Yes it is a full year that we commit to, and unexpected life happens, but who are we letting down the most in not fulfilling (or at the very least giving our best) to fullfill that commitment. Ourselves. We chose to make this commitment, plain and simple. 

With the volunteering at work, it is a few hours of your time that you are committing to. While there is some expectation from our company (volunteer hours are actually part of our scorecard). I don’t think people realize the opportunities that come from volunteering. Not only are you out in your community, but you build connections, and often for myself, relationships I may not otherwise have the opportunity to make. From a business perspective, this could actually help make you more successful.

I do apologize for the long winded blog today, but I needed to get it out. No need in going into work angry tomorrow, as that doesn’t benefit anyone. All I can do try to better myself, and help where I am able, and do my best to set a good example for others. I will go out this afternoon, and enjoy the people I am with, meet new people and maybe build a new relationship. 

Also, I am very thankful to my boys (Don and Kody) as they will be going with me this afternoon to cover the two canceled shifts. Many many thanks to you both 💜

Go Oilers Go!! Bring it home tomorrow!! 🧡💙🧡💙

Push ups- 13,355

Sit ups - 13,815

Form reps - Hand 210 weapon 220

AOK’s - 775

Sparring (modified) - 215

KM’s - 665

Blogs - 23

How is it Wednesday??

 Time is flying by, we are past the middle of June. Almost halfway through the year!! How fast time flies surprises me more often than not. 

Anyway, life at the moment continues to be very busy. It barely feels like there is a moment to just breathe, and then the next thing on the list, or place to be is upon me. 

I have written a couple of side blogs, not going to be posted publicly, about our black belt classes. Basically they are about cracking the base, and rebuilding it. I’ll leave it at that, but it’s been very thought provoking. 

Short and sweet, a check in. 

Push ups- 12,975

Sit ups - 13,650

Form reps - Hand 200 weapon 210

AOK’s - 760

Sparring (modified) - 198

KM’s - 630

Blogs - 22

A Little Exhausted

 It has been a very busy few weeks. Mortgage season in going in full force, and I’ve been on my own with that for the last three weeks. My partner is back this week, thankfully! Couple that with packed full weekends as well, and I’m pooped. Hopefully after this week and next weekend there will be a bit of a reprieve. 11, 12 and even 14 hour workdays these past few weeks has me a bit exhausted. 

Keeping up with classes and my training schedule has been a challenge, but other than the odd day of lower numbers, it’s been going pretty good. My training is a way for me to release the constant hamster wheel of my brain when I’m this busy. 

And then adding our beloved Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals!! So exciting, and all I can say is I’m so thankful for the earlier 6pm games this round lol. 

Push ups- 11,840

Sit ups - 12,660

Form reps - Hand 180 weapon 180

AOK’s - 724

Sparring (modified) - 175

KM’s - 570

Blogs - 21

Farmers Day Parade 2024

 Another great parade! We were fortunate with wonderful weather again! I love how the team comes together (and a few students) with different ideas and a vision for the float. Another fantastic job completed by all! It was great to see all the students who participated in the parade as well. A few of us have been discussing some ideas for next year, and getting prepared earlier, so I’m looking forward to next year as well. 

Now that we have two events on back to back weekends completed, and a month in between before Canada day demo, it’s time to get back to a more holistic training schedule. I had wrote previously about silo training as events are coming up, and although I did much better this year in incorporating other training, I am feeling way behind in certain areas as well. 

Although injury and surgery recovery has certainly been, and is a big part of my journey this year, I feel I am ready for more progress. I am finding myself doing things I haven’t been able to do in a year and a half, such as something as simple as crossing my legs! I am of course still proceeding cautiously, but I find I am also pushing more limits day to day, which is a positive trajectory I believe.

There are new forms (2 of them) that I feel and know that I am way behind on. I am going to focus on taking and making opportunities to learn these in their entirety, and can then focus on refining the techniques within them. I am one that needs to learn it first, and then continue to practice to cement it, and then break it down to refine. I have been practicing pieces of each, but feel I am not making any headway with either, and not spending the time needed to learn them. I am excited to put more focus on the new forms. 

Push ups- 11,140

Sit ups - 11,960

Form reps - Hand 165 weapon 165

AOK’s - 700

Sparring (modified) - 160

KM’s - 535

Blogs - 20