With recent events unfolding in my life, mainly the Alabama trip, I have a new found confidence about everything around me. In my work, my kung fu, even my social interactions with people. I feel great, but there is a little part of me questioning how far I'm letting this confidence go.
I have been pondering the difference between having confidence and an ego. What is the turning point between the two? How do you recognize when you go beyond just being confident and start developing an ego?
Confidence is defined by dictionary.com as, "Belief in oneself and one's powers or abilities."
Ego is defined as, "Self-esteem or self image"
Knowing this, it seems both relate to your outlook on yourself and what you can do. So again, what is the difference? I believe it may be that you are more attached to your accomplishments and your reputation when you have an ego. You are proud and you do not wish for anyone to question you. In contrary, when you are simply confident in yourself, you know you have the ability to do something, but you are not worried what people think about you.
Food for thought, I guess. To those reading this, what is your take on the subject? I'm still puzzled writing this and other perspectives and thoughts would be great. Thanks everyone. See you on the mats!
Monday, 27 April 2015
Sunday, 19 April 2015
Eye Opener
There are so many things we believe to be a necessity nowadays that are just luxuries. I did not truly understand this until I went on the Alabama trip. I learned what it really means to take what you have and make the best of it. They have very little down in Greensboro compared to what we are used to, but they still appreciate what little they have exponentially more than we do here. This got me thinking...
What do I have that I just don't need? Mmmm, let's see, how about three motorcycles? What do I need three for? I can only ride one at a time! What compels me to find a reason to keep all of them? Some would say, "Oh, that's so you have variety" or "If you have one in the shop you can still ride". You know what? I don't NEED to ride all the time. If I have to wait a week or so to get my bike back so I can ride, so be it, it's not going to kill me. This is a luxury, not a necessity. This is one reason why I'm selling one right away and possibly another later in the year. Then I'd "only" have one left, seems pretty sad to say, really.
I find that people generally hold material goods at too high of a priority and they never seem to have enough. Everyone wants the newest gadgets and whatnot. Throwing away perfectly good stuff, just because it doesn't have the latest features. I admit, I have been one of these people. I was sucked into the throw away society we live in now, but the time has come for change. I'm keeping what I actually need and giving or selling stuff that would be more useful to others.
The less you have, the more you appreciate. This, I am beginning to understand.
What do I have that I just don't need? Mmmm, let's see, how about three motorcycles? What do I need three for? I can only ride one at a time! What compels me to find a reason to keep all of them? Some would say, "Oh, that's so you have variety" or "If you have one in the shop you can still ride". You know what? I don't NEED to ride all the time. If I have to wait a week or so to get my bike back so I can ride, so be it, it's not going to kill me. This is a luxury, not a necessity. This is one reason why I'm selling one right away and possibly another later in the year. Then I'd "only" have one left, seems pretty sad to say, really.
I find that people generally hold material goods at too high of a priority and they never seem to have enough. Everyone wants the newest gadgets and whatnot. Throwing away perfectly good stuff, just because it doesn't have the latest features. I admit, I have been one of these people. I was sucked into the throw away society we live in now, but the time has come for change. I'm keeping what I actually need and giving or selling stuff that would be more useful to others.
The less you have, the more you appreciate. This, I am beginning to understand.
Monday, 13 April 2015
Teamwork in Alabama
Hello everyone! I have just completed, alongside Sifus Rybak, Langner and Beckett, a trip down to the small town of Greensboro, Alabama to assist in repairs and additions to shops and homes throughout the area, I have learned more about stepping up for the community and giving back whenever I can in the past 5 days than I have my entire life. Not only that, I have learned so much about leadership and teamwork.
Being kind and helping someone makes them feel good, which in turn makes you feel good for creating that happiness. Not only that, it makes whoever sees this act of kindness feel good and inspires them to do something nice to even more people! I find this is even more impacting when you work with a group of like-minded people hoping to achieve the same goal.
We had a lot of fun and worked hard together to get several projects either done, or setup to be completed. The energy and atmosphere here has been amazingly positive! Everyone has been super friendly and willing to give a hand at the drop of a hat, it has been really great.
Another aspect I thoroughly enjoyed in this trip was the chance to go with black belts that I look up to and admire, and interact with them in a less formal way. Getting to know them outside the kwoon, seeing what they are like personally, sharing laughs and experiences. Really connecting with them, making friends with them and truly feeling like part of the team, this made me so happy!
I would like to thank Sifu Brinker for encouraging us to go down there to represent Silent River and our country for that matter, being that we were the only Canadians there. Also for giving us the unique opportunity to participate in such an impacting event as well as meeting Tom Callos and other inspirational people like Julia Hill and Keshia Thomas.
This may be the euphoric feeling of the moment talking right now, but I feel I have definitely changed my outlook regarding helping others, preserving the environment and my eating choices (the vegetarian meals were actually quite tasty). I am DEFINITELY looking forward to next year and years beyond and I encourage everyone reading this to come along as well, you will not regret it!
Being kind and helping someone makes them feel good, which in turn makes you feel good for creating that happiness. Not only that, it makes whoever sees this act of kindness feel good and inspires them to do something nice to even more people! I find this is even more impacting when you work with a group of like-minded people hoping to achieve the same goal.
We had a lot of fun and worked hard together to get several projects either done, or setup to be completed. The energy and atmosphere here has been amazingly positive! Everyone has been super friendly and willing to give a hand at the drop of a hat, it has been really great.
Another aspect I thoroughly enjoyed in this trip was the chance to go with black belts that I look up to and admire, and interact with them in a less formal way. Getting to know them outside the kwoon, seeing what they are like personally, sharing laughs and experiences. Really connecting with them, making friends with them and truly feeling like part of the team, this made me so happy!
I would like to thank Sifu Brinker for encouraging us to go down there to represent Silent River and our country for that matter, being that we were the only Canadians there. Also for giving us the unique opportunity to participate in such an impacting event as well as meeting Tom Callos and other inspirational people like Julia Hill and Keshia Thomas.
This may be the euphoric feeling of the moment talking right now, but I feel I have definitely changed my outlook regarding helping others, preserving the environment and my eating choices (the vegetarian meals were actually quite tasty). I am DEFINITELY looking forward to next year and years beyond and I encourage everyone reading this to come along as well, you will not regret it!
Thursday, 2 April 2015
Dietary Defense
Eating food is an important part of our daily lives. It's what fuels our bodies as well as our minds. The amount of food is also important, have too little and you do not have the energy to do the things you need to do during the day, too much and your body cannot utilize all of the nutrients and some is wasted. The quality and type of food is integral to how your body functions.
I have been recently reading a book about Tai Chi Chuan by a man named Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming. From what I've read so far, it also goes into detail about qi inside and outside the body, and one particular part, it goes into how your breathing and food intake affect you.
"In order to produce healthy cells (in the body), first you must consider the materials that are needed. From the structure of a cell, we know that we will need hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and other minerals that we can absorb either from air or food. Therefore, air quality, water purity, and the choice of foods become critical factors for your health and longevity"
The statement above illustrates the importance of dietary defense. If you eat junk food all the time and live an unhealthy lifestyle, your body will begin to suffer in health. However, if you maintain a balanced diet with healthy food and exercise , you will feel better physically and mentally.
I have been recently reading a book about Tai Chi Chuan by a man named Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming. From what I've read so far, it also goes into detail about qi inside and outside the body, and one particular part, it goes into how your breathing and food intake affect you.
"In order to produce healthy cells (in the body), first you must consider the materials that are needed. From the structure of a cell, we know that we will need hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and other minerals that we can absorb either from air or food. Therefore, air quality, water purity, and the choice of foods become critical factors for your health and longevity"
The statement above illustrates the importance of dietary defense. If you eat junk food all the time and live an unhealthy lifestyle, your body will begin to suffer in health. However, if you maintain a balanced diet with healthy food and exercise , you will feel better physically and mentally.
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