24 Hours of Awesomeness

The Pandamonium was not only a test of my resolve and endurance, but an awe inspiring event where students and teachers alike came together and worked diligently to make it a complete success and bring awareness to the five charities our foundation supports. This was my first Pandamonium and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm glad I decided to partake in the 24 hour challenge.

One benefit I found with committing to the full 24 hours was the chance to see so many people practice forms. Everyone gives the forms their own personal touch. For example, I watched Kempo III being performed countless times by several students and instructors, they were all the the same, but different. Some were more powerful, some more fluid. They seemed like an extension of themselves. Almost like listening to the same piece of music played by different musicians. I really have grown an appreciation for the forms we learn.

The dunk tank was a real treat! I had a lot of fun on both sides of the fence. That was a fantastic idea, Mr. Helm! It definitely brought a crowd in. 

I'm also glad I got another chance to take part in a public lion dance. Last minute changes and Being almost completely unprepared yet still giving it our all and pulling it off was a tremendous feeling. I'll get that belly scooch to work somehow!

I didn't participate in the actual fundraising of the event as much as I would have liked and do feel a little disappointed in that. I definitely plan to take a more active role regarding that next year and the years to follow.

A shout out to my fellow 24 hour team members, Sifu Langner and Sihing Vanderham, we rocked it! We kept each other motivated and engaged throughout the day, I'm so happy and proud to have accomplished this with you!

See you on the mats!

Rest

I'm hoping everyone enjoyed their long weekend! This weekend was a good reminder of the importance of having a rest day during the week. I started to feel a little under the weather during Friday's I Ho Chuan class but figured I could just take it slow, push through it and take something to help prevent it from getting worse.

This seemed to work at first; in fact, on Saturday I finished an important set of modifications to my bike for my Argentina trip. I was still okay at this point. Then by Sunday afternoon it hit me like a wall, my entire body and mind just shut down. I had no energy, my head was killing me and I lost all motivation to do anything. I slept most of the rest of Sunday and almost all of Monday.

I gather my body was merely trying to catch up with the non-stop physical exertion I have been putting it through. I have been using what is supposed to be my rest day to help my Dad work on his new garage these past few months. In no way is this a rebuke or a regret, I'm happy to help, but without allowing myself to rest, my body finally had enough and forced me to.

Luckily, the major work is done on the garage and I'm no longer required to help all the time. I can now utilize my Sundays for proper recuperation.

I'm recovering now and I feel much better than I did yesterday. However, I'm still going to take it easy today, especially considering Pandamonium is only days away and I can't afford to be any less than 100% that day. See you on the mats, just not tonight...

Priorities

This Saturday's meeting was really great for me. I started to recognize the fact that I am quite fortunate with my day to day schedule. It allows me to go to the kwoon everyday of the week on a regular basis. If I ever feel like I have no time in my life I just need to look at several of the members of our team who work out of town for days, weeks, even months at a time! You are incredibly inspirational! To work so far away from the kwoon and still commit to something as trying and testing as I Ho Chuan is a definite show of character!

With this in mind, I seem to have put the blinders on and focused on almost nothing but kung fu in the past few months. Not that it is a bad thing, but like Sifu Brinker says, it needs to be sustainable. I do have other elements to my life that I may have been neglecting. There is a multitude of preparations I have yet to complete for my motorcycle tour to South America. I have noticed my lack of engagement in this regard and feel like I'm being left out on some details of the trip. Not that I blame my riding companions, of course. I don't expect them to stop and wait just because I am not paying attention. I owe it to them to make more of an effort to involve myself a little more with our trip.

Because of this I am putting a list of what I have going on in my life this year and I'm going to set a priority for each. It can't be all one activity, otherwise there is no balance and a life without balance is not healthy. It will come in time, I am certain of this. See you on the mats!