Panoramic View

I'm back from the Mane Event horse show in Chilliwack and with any show there is always reflection as to how the show went. The one aspect that stuck in my mind was Sifu Brinker's "how does this (usually meaning Kung Fu) serve you?" I pasted that thought onto the show and thought about how it truly serves me. The knee-jerk reaction is to say that the show serves to sell my wares and haul in wads of cash thereby needing a Brink's truck to haul back my fortune. Truth be known, that's not usually the case so how does the show really serve me?

First of all, the show serves to promote me and my wares with the intention of selling, but the selling may not be taking place immediately. I keep my ears open for ideas and opportunities as well as networking as well as just plain old fun. A couple of ideas did come across my path and both are well worth venturing. One idea was presented to me with the accompanying explanation of "no one makes these and I've been searching all over for them." That's worth my venture. So that's the obvious show service, but there's a couple more underlying reasons that are actually more important: it's an excuse to connect with Dennis's side of the family (show + visit) and it takes me away from my usual surroundings so that I can get a good look at what works, what doesn't, and where to go from there. Hence, where fortune really lies.

Over the past few weeks I have stepped back from my training due to both a rotator cuff issue and hitting a cement wall in my training. Have I quit? Not at all, I took a step back to clear my head and to get a good panoramic view as to what was really going on (the trip helped here immensely). Here's what I found. My 3 values (creativity, discovery, and discipline) are from where I am to be living my life from, however, I was living my life from 2 (creativity and discovery) and discipline was lacking. A side note: discipline means willingly and continually going forth with focus towards my goals, it does not mean driving forth at all cost. I took a further look at my glass and chocolate and saw that I lacked clarity in where I wanted to go and what I wanted to achieve. Basically driving around in circles, fun for a bit, but gets old real quick. First step: get clear on what I want and where I want to go in these areas. As for Kung Fu, I know where I want to go so what's the hold up? Ah!! Here's the discovery: pushups and situps are routine for me and can be inserted wherever in my day, but kicks and forms aren't so those need to be given a defined time-slot with the same commitment as my classes. I need to draft up a schedule that includes a time-slot for my glass, chocolate, form and kick training, Kung Fu classes, and time for both me and Dennis. A schedule with structure that also has flow to it.

In order for me to see what was really the issue or issues at hand, I had to take a step back (or in this case drive out of the province) to get a good look at where I was and what's missing. Now that I know, I can and will proceed with what works and what needs adjusting. Rinse and repeat.
Sherri Donohue
Hot Torch, Room Full of Glass, and a Kung Fu Kwoon