Life of Lists

Again, another busy week, and busier weekend. It seems as if life seems to speed up, and get faster and faster, and have more to do.
Sometimes it feels as though life is full of lists. The list is always there, items get checked off, and more items added.
It is a great feeling to get something checked off, and a sense of gratification is there, and then all of a sudden there is more added. One thing off, three things added.
It seems there is a list to do with everything, whether home, work, or extra circular. Yes, I make the list myself for the most part, and realize, it is part of life.
The list keeps me organized, mostly, and sometimes overwhelms, but at the end of the day, accomplishment is the best feeling. I've tried not to make the list unconventional, or not doable, and there is definitely more complex items, as well as quick, easy items in my list of life.
It has been such a busy couple of years, I feel appreciation for those around me, and empathetic to those that have it maybe not so good as me. But some days it just feels too busy. I have to remind myself to stop once in a while, and just simply enjoy what is around me.
A short blog, with random thoughts, as I didn't want to miss a week!

Enjoy your week everyone, see you on the mats.

Pushing on, and Pushing up

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!!

Where Am I? What am I Doing?

Life has been very busy in the last few weeks! Promotion at work - which of course means, more on my plate! Grand baby on the way any day now, getting prepared for that. And just everyday life and lists, and things to get done.
I am doing my best to keep Where am I, and What am I doing at the fore front of everything I am doing, whether at kung fu, work, home, and the hours (or minutes) in between. Keep myself focused! On the current job at hand, not the rest of the day in waiting. Use the minutes as they come by, not regret when they have passed!
Life is about to get even busier when the new family member arrives, and more tweaking the hours of the day will be needed, to get everything accomplished. I am up for this task, I am, I am, I am!!
Wanted to get this post in today, as again, a few weeks have passed by. I apologize for that, my fellow team members, no excuses, just not planned well at all!
Numbers are doing good, we are half way through our year! It has been great to watch everyone grow, and share! There is comfort in knowing I am not the only one that struggles, but lets push each other to have the second half of this year the Best one yet!!

Pushing on, and Pushing Up - See you on the mats!!

Accomplishments

It has been another busy weekend, but something seemed to shift in this one. Not sure what, or when it happened, but it is a good thing! I knew it was going to be a very busy year, but was not quite prepared for how busy. As winter turned to Spring, and now Spring turning to Summer, it is flying by, as time seems to do at a constant. There always seems to a be a big to do list, and there always seems to be things left undone. This weekend was different, hence my title Accomplishments.

Saturday started out with heading to work to catch up for a few hours, as Friday was one of those crazy days with the stress meter running in the high red zone, as everything seemed to come at me from every direction. The catch up time was well used, and now Monday morning, and the start of the week will not start in that Red Zone. Accomplished.
 Then off to our I Ho Chaun meeting, and the monthly check in. I always look forward to this, as I love to hear how everyone else's year is shaping up, and the great insights from everyone. I don't know about my fellow team members, but this monthly meeting always leaves me charged, with renewed energy and focus. Accomplished.
Then it was off to do some much needed summer clothes shopping for Kody. As this of course is a form of parental torture according to my 13 year old son, it is not always an easy task to get completed. Accomplished.
Today was off to a busy start with house cleaning. This felt great! Don't get me wrong, my house is not dirty - but it is usually a quick tidy, sweep, or dust. Today was a good clean, and I love the feeling of coming home to a clean house! Accomplished.
 Then off for a visit with my mom. Had her out for a while, a nice lunch, and our weekly visit. Accomplished.
 Grocery shopping done. Accomplished.
 Lunches prepared for next week. Accomplished.
Did a few loads of laundry and a load of dishes. Accomplished.
I even found time today for a much needed purse clean out, and switch over to Spring. Accomplished. Now here I sit, writing my blog. It has been a few weeks... Ahhh (my sigh of Happiness and relief). Accomplished.
I even see a couple of hours of chill out relax time in my very near future! Then back to start of the work week, and doing it all over again! That stress meter is running in the comfortable green right now, and what a Great feeling that is!
My numbers are great, and even took a day off today, as I have afforded myself one here and there.
Need to get my sticky notes gathered and put in my journal, and this will be a Great Accomplishment!
Until  next time.....Pushing On and Pushing Up!
Have a Great Week Everyone!

Opportunity

Opportunity…… such a word isn't it?  To search the meaning of this word this is what I found -

an appropriate or favorable time or occasion: 

a situation or condition favorable for attainment of a goal.

a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success.

There is a whole lot of meaning there isn't there. And hmmm, ALL positive!  It made me really sit back and think about it.

Being in the I Ho Chuan has certainly given me a lot to think about, but one of the most important factors of this is the Opportunity I have been given. Yes, that's right - Given, handed to me for the taking. This is huge. There is opportunities all around us, big and small. We need to make the decision of what we do with these opportunities. Do we take the opportunity to make someone's day? Do we take the opportunity to accept feedback from someone, and use it to better ourselves? Do we decide that it is not worth anything, and do nothing?  In many ways, everyday, there is plenty of opportunities to utilize. In the I Ho Chuan we are surrounded by so much knowledge, and leadership, and talent. Not only in the I Ho Chuan, but in our school as well, in all levels of classes. 

I had the opportunity to work with someone I had not worked with in the past, as she is not in my regular class. It was Great, as we realized we were practicing the same form, and bounced ideas and knowledge off of each other. We also together seeked out knowledge from one of our Sifu's, and both learned. This was a great opportunity that was not passed up, and I am thankful for it. Thank you Miss Poitras, and I look forward to working with you again! 

We have so many opportunities with our fellow team mates, sifus, our kung fu school, our workplaces, our families, our children, and I could go on and on. I guess my point of all this, is be careful of what opportunities you are missing out on, you may not get the chance to take it again. If your lucky it may pass you by again, but what if it doesn't? Think about what you have missed, and what could have been gained. Maybe it could have changed your life, maybe not, but isn't it worth it to find out? Worst case scenario, your going to learn something new, or be a better person because of it, or maybe you will be that light in someone's day, that otherwise was just dark. Soak it up, and take it all in, don't miss out, once it's gone, it may never come back. 

See you on the mats - pushing on, and pushing up!