My journey so far

Ok, its my turn to lay it out. Master 2 forms: spear 1--275, spear 280. Yep, behind. Read 20 books (not novels): 12 done 25 dates with Sean; 14 , going good 1 date a month with each of my kids; Miriam--behind by 5, Ariel--done meditate daily--(365) done 181, behind by 18. Complete the artists way course--havent started. Started a different program, called Quantum leap Take some courses in kayaking--taken a set of 4, hope for more Be able to do 10 chinups by Sept--Not! 8 Min horse stance by Sept--only at 2:40 Go cash only for 1 year--off and on. Sean and I are doing some courses together and getting our act in gear. 50,000 pushups--28,392 done so far 50,000 situps--29,665 done so far 1000 rounds of sparring--I measure this by mins done sparring, not so much rounds--247 done. Behind!! 1000 acts of kindness--562. OK 1609kms--1937 done. FINISHED!!!! Mend a relationship--working on it Journaling--29 done, on schedule Maintain online presence--doing 3 public performances--none Learn to lion dance--did some in pandamonium, not sure if that counts Compete in tiger challenge--not yet Zero unexcused absences from I Ho Chuan classes or meetings--none so far Excel with your core class curriculum--hmmmmmm Memorize and recite Mastery--done Organize, lead, participate in important SRKF projects; participated, helped organize, not real good at the leading part Complete a public 4 board break--not yet Create 5 personal applications--4 done Complete grading day--no So not too bad, but still lots of room for improvement

Keep running

As I was going for a run this afternoon I began thinking of the elusive runners high. This happens rarely even with people who run all the time. Basically it means as you are running you feel lighter, faster and less fatigued. Usually you end up running farther because you can cover more distance without getting so drained. Roughly fifteen years ago I experienced it for the only time so far. I remember the day vividly and as I was running down the path had this great sense of calm come over me. I ran a good 2 km’s farther than before and was running in full strides all the way. I finished my run and just sat there, hardly breathing heaving wondering if I should just go and do it again, a great feeling. It’s something special doing something pure without effort; of course the secret is repetition leading to enlightening experiences. I always remember Sifu Brinker talking about his one great hip throw so many years ago; it happened in a split second and was pure as can be. We can only hope to experience these moments and relish them when they happen. Sifu Bryant

How are you influencing your kids?

This past weekend I spent two 12 hour days at the NAIT pool. Both of my kids were swimming in regionals. The top 6 competitors made the finals then the top 2 from the final go to provincials next weekend. Neither Jordan nor Shelby made it to any finals in their solo races. But I was very proud of them for both besting their times by 5 to 10 seconds in every race they swam. Shelbys relay team finished 5th and I was so proud of her for not giving up. She wanted to swim breaststroke but was put in the backstroke position. Not her strongest stroke, but she tried hard nontheless and didn't quit. Jordan got gold in two relays, the IM in which he swam the final leg which was freestyle, and then the freestyle relay on Sunday. Something about being in that energy charged atmosphere really got them going. They were both going around to all their teammates and competitiors wishing them luck and congrats. I asked them on Sunday nite how they enjoyed themselves? They were both positive even though totally pooped out. Up until this weekend, both of them were thinking of not going back into swimming next year. But now both are rethinking it. Jordan has to put in even more practises this week to get ready for provincials. Sadly he'll miss both his Kung Fu classes this week. But he is working hard to help his teammates and improve even more. Jordan is benefitting so much from his Kung Fu. Not only is it a great outlet for all his energy. But the respect and discipline he is learning is really helping him focus. He got excited a few times this weekend. But all I had to do was make eye contact and move my hands and mouth the three rules of concentration and he would come back down and center right away. I know how much Kung Fu is helping me grow as a person and change from a lifestyle of lazing around being a couch potatoe. Its awesome to see the changes it is having on Jordan as well. He inspires me in so many ways, and I don't hesitate to tell him so. Jordan says he watches how hard I work at my Kung Fu, and that inspires him. What may surprise him is that I watch him even more and that motivates me to work even harder. I love that we can work together and grow together. No amount of money can replace our love and the bound we are forming.

Trusting me

Trusting myself is sometimes a challenge, it is new to me and sometimes I forget! It is true, it is much easier to return to old behavior than it is to forge ahead and see what happens. Each time that I have trusted myself, I have been rewarded with positive results, so the trick is to remember that. I think that I have really good instincts and I need to learn to trust them. When I don't trust myself (basically my instincts) then I try too hard and that gets me in trouble. Some examples of that are trying to fit in, trying to be a friend, trying to look like I know what I am doing. If I trust myself and just be, then I just shine on through and everything is cool. So I have been trying hard to be a good teammate and I think what I need to do is trust my instincts and just be who I am and the rest will take care of itself.
I will be posting more about what I am doing, the when, the where and the what, and I invite anyone and everyone to join me whenever you like.
Until next time, work hard and have fun
Sifu Kichko
 http://mantismantle.blogspot.ca/

I will be the first to admit that I'm not always the biggest team player.  I tend to every-so-often catch myself forgetting about the fact that I'm not all alone tackling this task of completing the I Ho Chuan, and eventually ending up grading for a higher degree at the end of the year... I have a whole other team along side me doing the exact same thing.  When I look back on this whole year, I've noticed that I haven't really made that much of an effort to reach out a helping hand to others that are struggling on the team; I've been so caught up with my own struggles, that I have to keep reminding myself that there are others going through the exact same thing that I am!

I find it extremely out of my comfort zone to go and ask others for help when I'm struggling.  I always think that I can figure it out on my own... even though I know that I can't.  But, the whole experience of the I Ho Chuan has forced me out of my little bubble to reach out to others for help.  And, I've found that the goals that I thought I would never complete are becoming attainable through the help of my fellow team mates. 

I'm certain that there are others on the team that are struggling, that have the same problem with reaching out for help that I do.  I know that this blog post is all over the place, but I'm hoping that those that are struggling are reading this, and seeing that there is nothing to be afraid of.  We have all gone through some rough patches at some point this year, and we're all here to help each other out where needed.  So don't be afraid to ask.  We all made a commitment to the team, and we have the responsibility to ask for a hand when we've fallen down.  I've learned that nobody can help you, until you have the courage to help yourself first.

Here I am!

• push ups:  25832
• Sit ups:  32504
• Loa Gar:  368
• Rope Dart:  447
• sparring:  279
• biking:  722
• acts of kindness:  425
• Mend a relationship:  done
• maintain a public journal:  good
• maintain an online presence:  good
• 3 demos:  1
• learn lion dance:  done
• Compete in Tiger challenge:  still to come
• zero unexcused absenses:  my peers decide that one
• 85 % attendance at black belt class:  good, I think
• participate in SRKF projects:  have been
• memorize mastery:  1/2 done.  Was 3/4 done, but left my copy at my daughters and got out of habit.
• organize and lead adopt a driveway:  good
• organize and lead pandamonium:  participated
• be active in all k fu projects:  good
• teach at forms seminar: still to come.

yeah vacation

hey everyone i am super excited that i am going on vacation and i can't wait to do some random area's of just stop and do push ups. I am sure to also take picture of them. So can't wait. Also, even knowing that i am going on vacation i have mapped out time for my self so i can work on my kung fu and still have a great vacation, but then again what is a vacation without Kung Fu. I also hope that the dragon training goes well, and that there is more than just 9 people. When i was doing the thursday practices at 7:15 P.M almost every practice was me holding my breath hoping enough people will show so i hope the other I HO Chuan members step up to the plate and give some dragon practice a shot.  From the greatest struggles come the greatest gain. I don't know if it is a quote from someone, but to me it makes sense. Ali the boxer was thought to lose his first heavy weight championship, but won in the end. to me it seems that the more people struggle to achieve what they want, the more they appreciate what they have accomplished. It is a old lesson taught by most parents. you want something you work for it. But most people who do not have to work hard or struggle to achieve there goal seem to take it for granted. like they deserve to have it just because. So for other i ho chuan member out there if you feel like your struggling (including me sometimes) remember you only get better by trying harder and working smarter, And when we eventually complete the U.B.B.T program we will be the better for it, because we always struggle to do it, but figure it out somehow. We struggle together and we all appreciated it more because of it, after we accomplish it. I believe in this team.

Sihing Langner