Zee Plan

First off, my shoulder is much better, head fog is gone, and I am feeling much more myself. It's amazing as to how food totally does impact our bodies and minds, for better or for worse. I have punted oats from my diet and have heightened my awareness as to how I feel. I must say that this one snuck up on me. Dairy allergy reactions for me are quick and painful and I was using those as a guide and that was my mistake.

I have been reflecting upon the advice given at the meeting in regards to my focus and my training as to how to best proceed and heal my shoulder as well as get me out of my frustration pit. Sifu Michael Playter advised to focus on what I CAN do and immerse myself in that. Still continue "North", but detour about 30 degrees. I am also looking at what I  am doing already in regards to being active. I wasn't considering that showing up is being active and part of the team. So now I'm being more compassionate with myself, looking at what I AM doing in regards to participating and immersing myself in what I CAN do that will still take me in the direction of "North."

After a conversation with Sifu Kichko, who herself has had shoulder issues, and being inspired by Sihing Chervenka's blog, I have set a plan as to how to proceed from here. I will be immersing myself in my energy (chi) studies as well as Tai Chi. Even though I'm very rocky with the actual form, I will be practicing what I know as well as bringing Tai Chi into my regular forms as well as my techniques. For now, I am letting go of the numbers and focusing solely on how the movement feels within my body and how grounded I am in the process. Of course I will be doing the task at hand more than once, but  if I am thinking about numbers, I am not connecting in and right now, the latter is more important.

So here is my plan: pushups will be set aside until my shoulder heals 100% and then some. Kicks will replace the pushups as the daily "anchor" focusing on flow and technique. Situps/core work will still continue. Tai Chi will be brought into my forms so that each movement is done with intent, connection, and flow. Therefore my forms will be done Tai Chi speed and in the same manner that I am in Tai Chi class. Instead of counting, I will be cuing in as to how my body feels, how it flows, and where's my center. Where am I, what am I doing? For accountability, as well as to partner with Sihing Chervenka, I will be posting what I did as well as what I noticed during my daily training. There is a saying that keeps revolving in my head right now that even though it grinds me,  really does apply, "Patience, Grasshopper, Patience."
Sherri Donohue
My Blog