Planning

It's Sunday morning and I'm having my tea and planning my day. I used to wonder how I would ever fit Kung Fu into my busy life and now I try to fit life into my Kung Fu. I will train everyday and then do whatever I can fit into the rest of the day. Sometimes, when I am feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges, if I focus on my training, even for a short time, it seems more manageable. It doesn't take the worry away, or make the situation go away, but it makes me feel like I can handle it.
A few years ago, I was sitting in this same spot, looking at all the things that I wanted/needed to do in order to grade for my black belt, it seemed quite huge! I began to wonder how I would fit it all in, where would I find the time, it didn't seem possible......then I got up and started doing reps of my form and I started to feel better. So from then on, whenever I feel like it is too much, I just get up and get going! I occasionally forget that lesson, like last week, but it was only a couple of days ( not weeks) and then I was back on track. I think as long as I keep getting back on track, I will get where I want/need to go.

Acceptance

I have been struggling with a few things lately and I think that I am beginning to figure them out, or at least how to talk about what has been bugging me.
It's about acceptance! You have to accept the things that you can not change. I'm not trying to sound like an addictions counsellor, I really do mean it. We have to accept that everyone is different and will do things in their own way. The job will get done, perhaps not in the way that you would have done it, but done nevertheless. It seems to me that people get hung up on the how you did it sometimes and forget to accept that it got done. They focus on a misplaced word and miss the whole message, they notice the mismatched socks and miss the act of kindness. Why are we quick to point out the differences in each other and so slow to accept them and notice the positive things?
I think that we can change this one act at a time, every time someone complains to you about someone or something, point out the positive of the situation. They may, in the beginning, stop complaining to you but eventually they will begin to think of positive things to tell you and maybe even focus on. I really believe that this is a method for stopping negativity from spreading.

Hey Dragon! I'm back!!!

Being in the moment isn't as easy as it looks! Sometimes, you have to work really hard to accept what is happening and roll with it.
Today, was the first time that I was in a dragon dance performance since last October, nearly a year! I was very excited and I thought well prepared for any obstacles. I practiced hard, got all my stuff ready and set my alarm, what could possibly go wrong? Hah!
I went back to work on Monday after a one month break and that was okay ( a little tiring!) but the puppy that we got over the summer wasn't so thrilled. He decided over the course of the week that he didn't really like to go outside to do his business! That's okay, we can adjust, do some more training, no big deal, until you have to be somewhere on time ( maybe even early would be nice!). So I needed to clean up a few messes before the performance today ( and wash the floor!), no big deal, so I won't be early, on time is good. Hah! I say again!
I have been participating in the Rotary Run for nearly as long as I have been at Kung Fu, ever since Sifu Laurie convinced me that I could train and complete a 1/2 marathon! This year I chose not to run so that I could make sure that I was on time for the dragon dance, there is irony here, right? I am driving along, about to make it just on time and they have closed the road that I take, causing me to go down the highway and come in a different way! Still not a big deal, the dance is probably going to start at 9:30 and it is only two minutes after 9:00!
As I was walking in, I was wondering where my team is, I'm looking around to find them and notice there is someone talking on the stage! As I get closer, I realize she is talking about SRKF, where is my team! I spot them standing behind the curtain and go over in just enough time to drop my bag and grab my pole and begin the performance!!!
What a performance it was! I noticed each movement the dragon was making, checking out the lion, greeting him, playing with him, maybe thinking about having some lettuce. It was very,very cool! Like nothing I have ever experienced, it was totally worth the determination it took to get there ( on time!)

Purpose

Over the years I have heard and shared many opinions about Kwoon maintenance and this is the year that it all makes sense. I have participated for many selfish reasons, mostly because I like helping and it makes me feel good. I like being the morning girl, especially when I don't have to work.
This year the light went on! It's about wanting to give back to our Kwoon; make it better, last longer, more user friendly, clean it up. This year I was able to look around with fresh perspective and really see what needed to be done. I realized that it doesn't matter what you do as long as you want to do it, that is the key. Take ownership of our place and do stuff because you want to not because you feel like you have to, it is not the ticket to your next promotion! Understanding the purpose of the project is the ticket, embracing the opportunity is the answer.
I love being at the Kwoon, it is my home away from home and I like doing things like I do at home. It    
helps make it mine, I feel proud of our place and the work that we put into it.
I feel kind of like I am babbling a bit but I'm excited to have finally figured this out and I want to get my words down before they slip away.
My final thoughts are, try to think about the purpose of the project and what you can learn from it!