4/24/07 -
I can really see things starting to come together in my form practice today, and I have begun to concentrate more my breaking starting today. It should be a pretty fun routine! I have listed some of the books that have influenced my life, especially my martial art life, and I the one that comes back to me every day is Stephen Covey's book about highly successful people. I truly find the benefit of reminding myself of these habits daily. I have used a Franklin/Covey Planner for years and have used it to keep me focused and on track.
Being a student who was labeled "hyperactive" as a child I had to find ways to keep focus. Martial arts and the Covey system are the two that have benefited me most. I think that ability to prioritize and organize your time is one of the most valuable skills you can give your children and I now require reading "The Seven Habits Book" for all those testing for black belt.
Training for any endeavor will all come back to keeping to basic good habits and getting rid of bad habits. If you can focus on the basics, and I am not just talking kicks and punches, but eating well, getting sleep, balanced exercise, giving attention to relationships, etc... you will be 90% there!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sunday, April 22, 2007
4/22/07 -
Today is exactly 3 months until the big 6th dan test. I started this blog to allow others, especially student s to see my reflections on this journey. Here is an update at the three month mark:
1. I have learned 80% of my requirement ( I still need to finish working on cane routine and self defense)
2. My hip is getting stronger and more flexible, but it is a slippery balance between improvement and pain still.
3. I spent a big part of Spring Camp, working with Master Bleil on our requirements.
4. In the past week I have increased my practice of my martial arts and intensity of strength, flexibility, and cardio training.
5. I have begun the process of decreasing caffeine, sugar, and other toxins in my diet.
My "gratefullness of the week" is of my Mom. The older I get the more I appreciate that my Mom was able to raise me to to respect an appreciate differences in race and gender. I especially learned through her example the challenges of woman raising children and working. I see the roles of men and woman coming closer and closer as more men tak-up nurting and raising children and more woman enter the work force ful-tim with children. These changes certainly challenge our theme of the year of "harmony and unity."
Look for more thoughts tomorrow and thanks for following!
Today is exactly 3 months until the big 6th dan test. I started this blog to allow others, especially student s to see my reflections on this journey. Here is an update at the three month mark:
1. I have learned 80% of my requirement ( I still need to finish working on cane routine and self defense)
2. My hip is getting stronger and more flexible, but it is a slippery balance between improvement and pain still.
3. I spent a big part of Spring Camp, working with Master Bleil on our requirements.
4. In the past week I have increased my practice of my martial arts and intensity of strength, flexibility, and cardio training.
5. I have begun the process of decreasing caffeine, sugar, and other toxins in my diet.
My "gratefullness of the week" is of my Mom. The older I get the more I appreciate that my Mom was able to raise me to to respect an appreciate differences in race and gender. I especially learned through her example the challenges of woman raising children and working. I see the roles of men and woman coming closer and closer as more men tak-up nurting and raising children and more woman enter the work force ful-tim with children. These changes certainly challenge our theme of the year of "harmony and unity."
Look for more thoughts tomorrow and thanks for following!
Sunday, April 1, 2007
4/1/07 -
I have been thinking a lot about goals as I move ahead closer and closer to July. I have taught over and over again that goals are made only so you can experience he journey. I remember so often a trip that highlighted a particular destination became more memorable because of what happened or what I saw on the way. Some people use this as an excuse not to embark on a journey. " I could have had just as much fun here at home." A change of scenery might be just what we need to learn more about our selves and this world. I think part of it is that we get so habituated to our surroundings and daily routine that getting away cam break this spell!
Setting off on a new goal gets us out of our habituated life and challenges our mind, body, spirit and emotions to change and grow through new experiences. When we get to our end result, if we do, we are not instantaneously different. These changes may be noticed all along the way. The changes I notice about myself is how do I deal with the stress of doing and asking more from my body, mind, spirit, and emotions. I can let it tear me down or build me up? I have been finding that I have to give myself time and space to grow. If there is all "doing" and no rest and reflection, I do not learn and grow from the experiences.
I have been thinking a lot about goals as I move ahead closer and closer to July. I have taught over and over again that goals are made only so you can experience he journey. I remember so often a trip that highlighted a particular destination became more memorable because of what happened or what I saw on the way. Some people use this as an excuse not to embark on a journey. " I could have had just as much fun here at home." A change of scenery might be just what we need to learn more about our selves and this world. I think part of it is that we get so habituated to our surroundings and daily routine that getting away cam break this spell!
Setting off on a new goal gets us out of our habituated life and challenges our mind, body, spirit and emotions to change and grow through new experiences. When we get to our end result, if we do, we are not instantaneously different. These changes may be noticed all along the way. The changes I notice about myself is how do I deal with the stress of doing and asking more from my body, mind, spirit, and emotions. I can let it tear me down or build me up? I have been finding that I have to give myself time and space to grow. If there is all "doing" and no rest and reflection, I do not learn and grow from the experiences.
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