to meet a challenge

To meet the challenge of the week...hmm. Tough one. I did look at the preset requirements first, and I have to say 2 jump out at me. Memorizing Mastery, and the mending a relationship. With memorizing Mastery, it is cool how often pieces of it come to mind ( I need to practice it again, I'm losing it) at different times, and how in the courses I'm taking and books I"m reading, the essentials in the passage are echoed. Its cool! Especially the parts of taking in events and experiences that go beyond the ordinary, and surrounding yourself with people that expect more of you than you do. Thats us team!! And while I'm uncomfortable with both praise AND criticism...yeah I know, I'm learning...this has been the best place to get both. The other one, mending a relationship, has taken on some interesting turns. I floundered for awhile, not really able to think of a relationship specifically to work on (my sister is speaking to me again..limited anyways :) ) and then I realized the opportunity was right within my own home. Problem--its not something that I can probably ever say is done. The person I have chosen to work on and with is my step daughter, Seana. She, more than any human on earth it seems, can drive me crazy! So, I have been trying to learn to step back, evaluate, not react, and be a more positive person around her. Ironically enough, instead of only having her with us on weekends, her mom has been working out of town, so we've had her all week for weeks at a time since the end of August. Talk about submersion! I have a loooooong way to go on that one..... My own personal requirements.....hmm. Some of them I am outright failing. Like being able to do chinups by now. Hah! Thats a laugh. I think the 2 that I have been working on steady and have changed me the most are learning to meditate daily and reading 20 books (not novels). The books have fed a hunger I had not realized was there and have opened up my world, pulling my thoughts along at the speed of light and making me hunger for so much more than where I am at now. Its so cool! And meditation--I've learned I like guided meditations...easier to focus. And walking meditations definitely are my favorite--so much easier in nature! They've given me a spiritual ahhhhhh that I was also missing. I'm surprised, looking back,how much I was literally starving for mental and spiritual growth and not realizing it; just getting by, but yet so full of yearning and longing for something unknown that I was inwardly screaming. And only now can I see it! Not that I've got to where I want to be by a long shot, but at least I'm moving and there is clarity, excitement and amazing things to learn. Thank you Sifu for the challenge! Great choice--I look forward to reading everyones!