The Circle is Closing

Well here we are at the end of another year, man time flies. It has been a pretty good year overall though. I hit a lot of milestones in my training and created a whole pile of other stuff to work on and improve. Gotta love how it all works in a circle, even if at times it can be an oblong one.

As another year grows to completion, as does opportunity. Now is a chance to look back at what goals you set out to do, how you did or didn't reach them. Gaining knowledge and experience by overcoming and failing as you work towards your goals gives a base to build the next stage of your training. This knowledge both good and bad, can be carried forward and given an opportunity to either diminish or grow. Once you remove inefficiency or distractions you have now created some tools with serious potential and versatility. Sometimes the filtration doesn't work so well and needs attention before anything can start moving ahead. Other times it's like jet fuel and your gone. Obstacles are built to different and seemingly impossible heights and lengths, emotionally and physically challenging, as are bridges. The most important thing is advancement no matter how slow, just keep the steps going forward and embrace the determination of backwards sucks ass. There are those around that can help, be grateful for that and appreciate it. As this act in itself teaches self awareness to others in need and removes the self.

 The beginning of the year required a lot of work to get the wheels rolling, I came in heavy so to speak and perhaps some tools I never used before and others I forgot needed to be on the front lines, whether I liked it or not. I stuck to the plan this year as best I could and reached to those I needed to and accepted with respect, those who offered. I took on a difficult task with the correct frame of mind and maintained determination to see it through to the next level. Mostly because there was not going to be a next year. If I couldn't get my head on straight and attempt the rank of Black Belt to my absolute best, then I probably never will. This wasn't something I was just willing to throw away. So I stayed true to the best of my abilities and continue down the path. I have two strong Sihings to keep me company and help me see it through, and Sifu's that share their knowledge and offer support. A whole team of martial artists and a great school. Yeah I would have to say it's been a great Year.

Happy New Year everyone, see you next year.

Contemplation of Absence

Contemplation indeed. I don't really have much choice at this point as I don't really have a whole lot to be concerned about. Nope, not much at all really. Just me and my thoughts, keep an eye out for my girls, plan some training and adapt day by day. Running with my girl on the beach....hit the gym..... forms in the sand.... Kung Fu homework....while we're at it, let's reinstall Qi Gong for breakfast...everyday...hell yeah, life is good!

Hmmm I think I'm missing something...yup, indeed I am. There is my fellow candidates and a whole team busting they're asses and preparing for a moment of truth. I'm not there. I haven't been there before and I've held up my end of the bargain..... but this times different. I miss the connection with my teachers and being in the presence of my tightly knit bond with my fellow Sihings. Someone right now is filling in for me in the back of a Lion. I don't know who it is, but I can't thank you enough. I have a training partner that wants to insure all is good...like "Chuck the Chainsaw" good.. and yes folks, that's a big deal. But I'm not there, I'm not there to swing a set of oversized, short handled axes, in expected pristine fashion, like scary awesome pristine fashion. One may call this guilt, but it can't be, as guilt is useless and something I don't embrace. Guilt to me, on a personal level, is recognizing you failed to uphold a position of accountability on your own control and didn't follow through and choose to carry perceived assumptions that don't exist which become excuses. If you think about it, what's the point of beating yourself up and instilling self questioning on your abilities and an assumed judgement by others? Look at it for what it is in a black and white perspective. What happened? and why? How about just own your s$%t and own it, step up and make it right. You know you had something to do that went beyond just you and you know it will effect others. So does that mean you should never be apologetic for your short comings when it effects others just because you can admit it? Of course not. 

What it means is there is never an opportunity to not make things right. If you embrace the mindset of accountability and self discipline, and forge a high work ethic, your open short comings can always be turned over to awesome example, stuff that can be perceived as respectable follow through by those that count on you. We must realize full well that time never stops... things can always be set right. Believe in yourself and what you can do. You can't change what has passed, but you can step right into the action. Be in the moment regardless of current position and uphold your commitments. Just like now and where I am at. I'm not at the kwoon, I'm not there with my fellow candidates or my training partner, or the I Ho Chuan team. But I am doing my Kung Fu homework. I am working on my weapon form and I am working on areas of lion dancing. I am working on my writings and maintaining my conditioning. I've made arrangements before I left to hook up with my training partner upon my return to prepare and insure my techniques are up to "Chainsaw Chuck" standards, and roll into the I Ho Chuan expectation like I never left.

 Absence holds no relevance, nor it is an excuse to not uphold expectations. Kung Fu holds no boundaries or barriers and yes folks, it fits in your suitcase. Bottom line is I miss you all and I won't disappoint the team upon my return... because that's for them other guy's. See you at the Kwoon.

The Example of a True Elite

Some where along the way someone seems to have found the accelerator on the old time piece. Man times flying quick and there is still a ton of stuff to do by many and myself to prepare and show what a years worth of training looks like by this years I Ho Chuan class. All of that work should resonate quite clearly in each and everyone of us. When I think of how the I Ho Chuan class is viewed,  by dedicating a year to mastery and usually on the front lines of pretty much all of the Kwoon events, I think of the I Ho Chuan as the elite in the school. Some people don't like the term elite for whatever reason, but whatever it is it's theirs and that's their business. I think of elite as a balanced perspective or perhaps an accurate description of a expectation of a goal with never ending results led by example and respect to tradition.

 My personal perspective of the word elite is a term used to describe hard work, discipline, commitment, drive and a relentless vision that never sees' an end or an arrival. One who continually never forgets where they came from and practices continued respect to the very place or person that provided them with the gift of opportunity, knowledge, and acceptance through trustworthy obligation.  A practicing elite is a highly influential person of example minus the over inflated ego that tends to become the primary fuel in some along with the self proclaimed and self justified importance that is the complete opposite of what they are actually supposed to be. Forgetting where they came from, and just what provided the comfort of their existance along with insecurities and closed minded personalities have no place here. Fear of themselves and the belief that their opinions and views should be embraced by others with no solid base or action is more fitting in this case. Instead an elite powers themselves with non judgemental  character and obvious humility which becomes welcoming and attractive to others. It's a passion and determination for perfection and efficiency in doing what they believe in and are physically pursuing that sends ripples of inspiration to others that awaken the creativity and the free thinking that in turn awakens goals and dreams to come alive in others.

An elite is not afraid to hit the dirt, bleed, expel emotions that may be unnecessary at the time but in turn become inner strength to pursue the challenge and succeed. Good enough is a term seldom, if ever used by anybody that wants to take themselves above and beyond what they ever thought possible and inspire others to do the same. I also believe this type of person is not concerned to face their struggles and show how to overcome them out in the open. That to me is balanced courage and another example that others can embrace. I do my best to try work towards becoming this type of person and I always look towards those I respect or follow their example to push myself and work towards being an elite martial artist. I'm very grateful that I am allowed to train in a traditional school and earn the gift of knowledge of a traditional art. There's not much left out there that hasn't been watered down or has forgotten tradition or actually promotes it. Because that's hard or it takes too much time or holds no value to the ignorant that forgets what made them in the first place.  A place that provides opportunity and inspiration, promotes hard work and discipline, provides an opportunity to show those around us what being awesome and what it takes to awaken your inner being and self expression. A place that inspires you to become your own elite.