Banquet

Another new year banquet seems to have come and gone in a flash. The excitement of the preparations and practices seemingly instantly closed in one fell swoop as the weekend came to an end and normal life resumed as usual. Perhaps not resumed, we all came out of that hall different people due to the events we witnessed and shared.

Even on the day of as some things unexpectedly went sour, we all kept our cool and made the night a complete success. I had my own hiccups. This was my first time handing awards to any of the kids and as usual I naturally learned it the hard way. It was slightly awkward, but I got through it. I'm still chuckling at how, in my nervousness, I knelt beside a student while taking a picture for his award and he felt the need to kneel as well. Definitely the best public short joke ever I've received.

Congratulations to the new black belts and black belt promotion recipients. Your drive and determination leaves me awestruck. You continue to inspire me to work to the best of my ability so I too one day can achieve such an incredible feat.

The year of the rooster has begun, let's show the world again all we can accomplish in such a short time.

Take care everyone.

Year's End

It is the last day of the year, a time for reflection of what has transpired. I can say it was a definite year of change. The truth is that EVERY year has change for every single person. You are not the same person you were one day later let alone one year later. It is a necessity of life, otherwise it becomes stagnant.

I would have to say the most important positive change for me was my ability to handle verbal confrontation. This is something I have never been comfortable with. I would panic, shut down, studder and ramble. Several events this year have forced me to go out of my verbal comfort zone. Leave it in the dust and speak up with confidence and intelligence.

I'm now just beginning to analyze every conversation almost like a sparring round. I need to remain focussed on what I am trying to convey what I am meaning. I need to not let someone continually push me back. I need to "block and counter" so to speak. Above all, just stay calm.

It took a whole year for this single change alone to even start taking in affect, just another example of incremental progression. I know by this time next year I will look back at this blog and see the immense difference yet again.

Thank you, Monkey team for such a great year. We have accomplished so much in such a short time.

Take care everyone.

Tick Tock

The time is running short. Chinese New Year is just over a week away. The result of our consistent hard work throughout the year will be demonstrated. This team has been phenomenal. We have been able to put small bits and pieces of forms, lion/dragon dances and techniques and transform them all into this sweet looking demo in minute amount of time! When push came to shove we all came together, brought our ideas to the table and set the stage for an exciting demo to show the public just how awesome we are! I am proud to call you my teammates.

The excitement is building up swiftly. 

Take care everyone.

Constant Reminders

My job requires a lot more driving during the day and I listen to the radio more often as a result. Listening to the advertisements makes me cringe a little. They all seem to constantly remind you that mediocrity is acceptable and instant gratification is just one low interest payment away.

"Why bother making new years resolutions about diet, exercise or maximizing your potential when you can just have fun?"

"Healthy life choices are not always the answer, try laser therapy to remove that excess weight."

These are just a couple of examples of what I'm talking about. It seems that many just want a quick fix to their problems, but are unwilling to put any effort into making a change.

Why should maximizing potential be seen as something incredibly difficult or not enjoyable? The harder you try, the more gratified you will be. Maximize your potential in something that interests you and you can actually have fun doing it.

Why do you want to lose weight? Is it because of vanity, or do you truly desire to make yourself healthier?  If it is just for vanity you are likely not addressing the cause, just a symptom. When your health is the motivation, not how you look, you are more likely to make the healthier choice and stick to it with greater chance of effortless effort.

Don't take the easy way out. Push yourself, you never know what you can do until you do so.

This is just my perspective of these particular situations. It is just frustrating that the motivation to better ourselves is dwindling among the majority.

Take care everyone.

Read More, Write More

My blogging has been suffering a bit as of late. I am experiencing a bit of a learning curve both at work and at the school. The rush of the holidays also swept me off my feet. This has not happened to me before quite to the extent it did this year, it is definitely something to get used to.

Are these reasons or excuses? That question will wait for another blog. The real question is what am I going to do about it? What can I do about it?

I found there is a direct correlation between reading blogs and writing them. When you read team member's blogs, you get to know them better. They inspire you with their words, their stories, their lessons. It motivates you to blog as well and tell your own story.

It is just as important to read as it is to write. They go hand in hand, they both increase your vocabulary and your writing skill in general.

With all of this being said, reading blogs is going to be more of a priority for me. Instead of looking on facebook, I look to blogger or mightybell and connect with the team.

Take care everyone.