Reality Check: Athlete

Me again. I am posting this blog after having both a conversation with Sihing Lowery and reading Sihing Langner's blog post of "Blog It". Plus my spidey senses are nagging me to do so.

Aside from all of the healing energy work I received this weekend in Denver there is one aspect of me that I was "hit" with to embrace and that is that I am an athlete. I am an athlete. Not quite a comfy jean type of statement yet, however it will be because I am not taking it off.

I've never considered myself an athlete. Growing up I was the fat kid never good at track and field, not a runner, never getting more than a participation "award" for the *&%*%$!! Canada Fitness Test in school, never on the volleyball or basketball team. Growing up on the farm I was active, but not in the "right" things. My youngest brother was the athlete, I was the scholar. Even though I played and pitched fastball, was on the college badminton team, trained with a bodybuilder and powerlifter sister combo, curled (as in the sport, not my hair) seriously, and was on the ski patrol, I didn't think I was an athlete. I wasn't involved in the "right" sports, I didn't look a certain way, and my body fat wasn't low enough therefore I wasn't an athlete.

It was when Stephen gave his story on stage about how he let his dream of playing hockey in the NHL let slip through his fingers and how with the healing energy of Peak Energy Performance (that I had a weekend in and will be in a 4-month intensive program) that now he is on track, training hard, and going once again for his dream. Something somewhere somehow in his story hit me and had me take a good honest look at what I honestly am involved it. Yes I am a martial artist, but dammit, look at how much and what type of training is involved to be that type of artist. Compare that to any other sport and that's an athlete!!!!! Insert a smack of reality check that I am still feeling the effects of as I type.

During the weekend we/I made a public statement of how and where I am going forth using the energy tools that I learned. I am now making that statement publicly here with an amendment. Here goes: "I will be using the energy tools daily that I learned here to fully express, in all areas, both the artist AND ATHLETE that I truly am. Also in my preparation year of black belt grading training my life will include ALL of my passions. By doing so, I will inspire others to do the same because grading for black belt does not mean putting one's life on hold." My statement: sticking to it.
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass, and a Kung Fu Kwoon