Double Edged Sword

Increasing innovation in technology is a double edged sword. On one hand, it allows us to stay connected and learn anything we want just with a few simple clicks or taps. Our ability to treat ailments or even prevent them is unprecedented, truly amazing! We can travel around the world, experience other cultures first hand and maintain international friendships. 

Devices are so much easier to use, appliances that were reserved for only the upper class are readily available and affordable, making the rush of everyday life a little easier to handle. You don't even need to type into your phone, just ask it a question and it gets to work for you, just like Star Trek!

On the other hand, we are beginning to rely too much on it. Basic skills are being forgotten, awareness and courtesy are dwindling. Common sense is becoming less and less common. Almost everyone sits and stares at their phones for a good portion of their waking hours, it is the first thing most of us see in the morning and the last thing we look at at night. 

Vehicles with sensors that tell us information we can easily see if we just look outside the windshield and just pay attention, some that even make driving corrections for us! It lowers the bar, our driving skills are atrophying. I understand the intent of auto makers creating vehicles that are more safe, but it in fact doing the opposite, turning vehicles into mobile entertainment centres rather than modes of transportation.

The relevance this has to kung fu is the increasing need for instant gratification. Most of us are so used to getting what we want right now that we are not willing to take the time and put in the hard work to achieve what we want. When you are learning something right now that might not actually be truly understood for 30 years, most people will turn to something else, favoring the next exciting thing, something with instant result with little effort. Kung fu means hard work, hard work that must be done over a long period of time in order to truly benefit from it.  

Training at Home

For the past month, life has become slightly busier for Mel and I. Mel returned to work on an evening, part-time basis. This being the case, I was given an opportunity to spend much more one on one time with Claire on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. This has been amazing for our bonding, I also feel more confident in caring for her needs and addressing any issues that arise.

At first this did affect my training, I was not yet adept at handling it all at once and I have not been able to participate in the Monday/Wednesday classes. However I soon discovered that she is quite amazed and mesmerized by Kung Fu. I began by including her in my push ups and sit ups, soon she was excited every time I practiced forms and techniques in the living room in front of her, particularly the flying kicks! She is even entertained by Tai Chi.

It is a great feeling having the chance to share my training with Claire, I am fortunate and grateful that she enjoys it so much. I also practice my time management and mindfulness in my training, no wasted time, baby won't let it happen. She is quite the taskmaster and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Inspired by a Master

Tonight we were honored to have Master Ben Ma visit the kwoon and teach. Master Ben Ma has been practicing Kung Fu since 1962. He began with Hung Gar then later moved to Praying Mantis Tai Chi. He still trains everyday and teaches five days a week, truly an inspiring person. Afterwards he gave us a brief introduction to these two styles that he has trained in for over 50 years! He also gave us some thought provoking advice. Much of what he said to us resonated with what we attempt to achieve through our training. This is not just in our Kung Fu itself, but our approach to it and all the other aspects of our lives. Everything he said reinforced why we train in the first place.

One point he made that stuck with me the most was regarding ego and letting go of what you think you know. This allows you to recognize a lesson right in front of you, rather than assuming you already know what someone is going to tell you. No technique is perfect, even if you practice it thousands of times, there will always be room for improvement. Let go, open your mind and accept what you may learn.

I am grateful that I was able to take advantage of this opportunity, this reset my perspective and gave me a mental jolt, just in time I might add. I thank Sifu Brinker and Master MacDonald for making this possible.

The Power of the Word

The use of the word is something very powerful, we humans are the only species on the planet to have spoken and written word, this is something that we take for granted sometimes. What we say, both to ourselves and others carries weight. It can make the difference between success and failure or happiness and sorrow.

The word is used to reinforce thoughts. If we have negative thoughts and express them through the word, it can potentially to steer a situation in a negative direction. Conversely, if we consciously express more positive thoughts with words it can give us confidence we didn't even know we had.

I am focusing on this frequently lately as the grading day is drawing nearer. The self doubt creeps up and attempts to take over, but I cannot let it take control. I am not reinforcing it with negative self talk, as much as I can help. It is very easy to let negativity take the wheel. It is easier to have more positive self talk if I just focus on what I need to do, practice frequently and stay on top of everything in my control to prevent any unwarranted guilt that may manifest.

Assertiveness

I recently began reflecting on my ability to be assertive in conflict. I have difficulty asserting my point of view and effectively making myself heard. If my point of view does not agree with the other party, I often either find a way to acknowledge their view or even allow them to take control of the situation while I remain silent. In my mind I understand my view is valid and can contribute, but if it conflicts with someone else's view I accommodate and avoid in order to prevent any friction or conflict between us. I avoid offending people in order to maintain a good rapport with them.

I am agreeable, I want everyone I come into contact with to be satisfied. I am not a push over, there is a point that I will stand, but it does take a lot to get there. Often when I risk it and try to stand up earlier, I feel I come off as adversarial and unreasonable. I need to begin to concern myself less with this; even with the best intentions, someone is going to be slighted in one way or another. It is futile attempting to please everyone. If someone does not appreciate my point of view and approaches me differently because of it, that is not solely on my shoulders. It is their choice to take something personally.

I need to improve this skill, analyze my intent and come up with ways of articulating my point of view in a manner that benefits both parties, yet allows me to be heard. My spirit needs to be in tune with what I wish to accomplish. Much like sparring in kung fu, I cannot let myself be pushed in a direction I don't want to go, I need to take control. Understand what I can influence and what can influence me.