Question Power

 Hello so I have had a fairly good day today. I had being talking with a lot of people via phone. I am currently feeling really happy, and nervous right now. I have a big assessment happening tomorrow and I think this will a determining factor of whether I can go back to work or not. I am unsure of what will be happening. Also I am only guessing what this day might be. Since I have not been informed to well about what this day is about, but I am hopeful.

  I had a really good conversation with my good friend Dan. We talked about a lot of stuff, but what was really interesting, was my full realization about questions. We both work in a trade and were taught that some of the best journeyman always asked a lot of questions. Quality and some that may seem dumb, but better to ask then to assume. I always knew asking questions was a good way to help me learn and prevent possible mistakes, or even help others realize there was more to a situation. I know people who have become very good in there field of work, but they never claimed to know everything. 

 Then I thought about it. Asking question helped me figure out some tougher problems in my life, and in work. Sometimes I was able to answer my own problem just because I ask the question to my self and it help me compartmentalize the problem. I thought whenever I see people do not ask questions it gives me the impression; they either have a good handle on what they are doing or they are slowly trying to figure something out on there own, or worst case they don't care, or unaware a question needs to be asked. I have been all of these. 

  Then it really hit me, this is why Sifu Brinker is always asking us if we have any questions about the class. It is a great indicator of how engaged you can be, and also a great indicator of where our minds are at. Dan and me started thinking that good apprentice are the ones that ask lots of questions, rather than an apprentice that never asks none. We have both come across where the one that was not ever asking questions made more mistakes. Now in both scenarios I have ran into where they don't ask, but are great apprentice, or they do ask but they got worse.

  When I am truly engaged into something like my work I always have question, but I realize I have not been the same for kung fu. I realized I had become less engaged with my own kung fu. I have learned a lot about kung fu, but I just have the tip of the ice berg of what what else Kung fu can offer me. So I am going to start thinking more question that cloud help me and maybe even other in Kung fu.    

Why do we throw punches in Kung fu?

  I have heard a few times about why, but once i start thinking about it It makes me try and find the reason for the exists of this punch. I think of the  physical mechanics that make the punch work, then I think of the mental mechanics for it to work. Then I realize the mental and physical mechanics have purpose to show how flow, and power  and intent become one entity. everything that the punches can teach us I believe to be very valuable. 

Simple, good, extreme question majority of the improve someone. That is to me super powerful thing that all have and can do whenever we want. For the most part. 

Sifu Langner

   

No Sleep January

 Hello I am sorry for not posting for awhile or attending meetings, or class. I should of at least sent a message. I was having a really rough January. In the sense of I had no clue of what time of day, or what day I was even on. I was getting very little sleep. The most sleep I got was 4 hours. For me I don't even remember to much happening in January. I was experiencing bad headaches, neck pain, and facial pain. The face one was because whenever I yawn it hurts a lot. So with me being tired it happened a lot. Oddly enough during those times when I tried to sleep, I was not tired at all.

  I have improved, and I no longer have sleep issues, and my neck and face is a bit sore, but I don't yawn as much anymore. That month for me was actually harder for me then when I spent time in the hospital. 

  Good news though I have been working on my balance I have 2 exercises. One is heel to toe, and I have to hold it for 30 secs. The other one is I have to hold one foot up for 30 secs. I have not accomplished these yet, but My best is 18 sec for first one and 13 for the second. My body just loses balance and it feels like I cant stop it, but that is why I practice. I know my balance in getting better, because I don't need a cane anymore when I walk. I never really needed it badly, but when I used to get headaches and dizzy, and would need something to lean on so I did not fall.

 I used to hold the cane most of the time floating. I would swing it where the cane would be if I needed it. I remember in the beginning that I could not walk even half way across the lagoon, without then needing my dad to help me back home. Now I am up to 4 full laps. Ironically enough more times I ever walked around that lagoon even when I was not injure.

 I may have hiccups in my never ending journey, but one thing for sure is that I refuse to give up. I know I will have more lows in my future and I cannot stop it, but I do know is that I can always learn and grow. 

One thing I have learned about life is that there is always opportunitys made available to me. I just need to create, accept, or look for them.

 Sifu Langner

Dizzy and Stuff

So I realize that this concussion is a bit more serious then I thought. I was hoping to be back working after 3 months, but that might not happen. It could be 6 or more months. I get dizzy after walking and going up and down stairs, and elevators; not every time. I hopefully will get to start doing some rehab in January or February. I sometimes will just be walking then I have to stop or I will fall over because I will fall over if I don't stop. This dizziness has given a more realization of what I am about to go through, but I know I am good to go :)

  I had also just finish a meeting today with a doctor, and I apparently have a indent in the back of my head now. They said they could fix it with surgery, but they also said that it helps me in no way health wise, nor is it more vulnerable. So I said no to the fix. The indent is hidden in my hair anyways so we are all good. He told me it will be just time for healing my dizziness.

 With all this crazy stuff happening in our world and with me, I don't think I have ever been closer with my whole family. Not just my parents, but my uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents. Not in person of course, except, my parents. I have just been talking with them more than I ever have after this accident.

  I won't lie I am a little worried if I can get my job back; even if I take 7 months or more off, but oddly enough I don't feel stressed about it. I know who I am and what Kung fu and the I Ho Chaun  has helped me accomplish. It helped me develop into a person who will strive for being the best current me, learn from every one and myself, learning it's okay to have hardship, because it what has made me grow and become a better person. It has also taught me I am never truly alone. I am surround by the best people ever. I do have all of you to thank for that. 

I have to end here getting a headache and dizzy, not just because its long. Have a Wonderful time every one.

Sifu Langner

Gratitude

 Hello it has been awhile, but gladly not my last. I went through a fairly serious accident last month. I learned that I had a fairly big hole in the top of my head, a concussion, and multiple fractures on my right side of my face. I last remember driving to work then waking up in the hospital. I was told I was unconscious for 3 days. 

  I have only recently learned as well from the police that I have somehow had a really good accident. They did not say those words, but I gathered that info from the info they said to me. Most of the passenger side had the most damage, the car crumpled properly to reduce the impact, and my seat belt and air bags did there jobs, and no fire. I hit a full tanker truck so good no fire. They made it sound like to me this accident could have been so much worse, but it was not. I of course still suffer injury's, but they are not the worst type. 

 I got to truly learn how grateful I am that I am here today, and the people I am surrounded with. I got lots of support from lot of friends and family, and I now believe to be so lucky with the fact I got amazing people that support me. I have found a new found appreciation for my parents and my friends. It kinda feels weird, but I feel super happy right now. I am still in pain, but I am looking very hopeful for my future. 

I am truly grateful for my time in kung fu. I was lucky enough to learn how to spot the extraordinary, and how to adapt and overcome, and especially never giving up. I look forward to what new things for me to learn in kung fu, but for now I will take step one: heal. This is the start of something really exciting for me. I know I will get better, and I will eventually adapt to my new reality. I know I will never be the same, but that is the fun of it. This is how I learn.

 I really want to thank all of you for your support, and I truly am very happy when I see or hear you all. This blog took me a long time to write, I have been trying to write this since 11:00 am, I had to take a lot of breaks in writing this. Even this give me a headache, but easily make me truly appreciate how great blogging is and I can't wait to do more.

 

Sifu Langner   

Shoulders

So I have been struggling with my shoulder for what seems like forever. But I have also learned do much more about myself and my body's movement. and how important proper posture is. I have learned with proper care I can get better and become more of a master of my body.

 Normally in forms I like to really put in power and snap into each move, all the while trying yo keep the flow and 6 harmonies aligned. With these shoulders of mine I can nor longer finish each move with as much energy as I would like. I now have to focus even more on my intent and control over my movement, because if it gets away from me I will feel it. Even picking up one of those black broad swords makes me feel pain. A light broad sword does not hurt though. I would say I still have amazing flexibility in my shoulders i just don't use it, because it would hurt after.

 I have  had to develop patience with this healing process. Slowly but surly I will get better but, I am also starting to try and live with the possibility that I will never be fully healed. I will forever have these bad shoulders and will have to get around it. If that is my future I won't let that dictate my love of kung fu, because I know that I will find another way to train and adapt to my future. That is always the least I can always do adapt, overcome, then thrive

Sifu Langner

Recommit to Mastery

 I had an eye opening experience tonight in class. I have been losing touch with myself and those around me. I have been using all these work hours I have been working before, and have not been doing any kung fu. Mediocrities have crept into my life and I let it happen. I have advanced in my career greatly, becoming a person that my work can rely upon and improved my overall competency at electrical, but life and kung fu has taken a step back.

   I have been unbalanced as of late. Work, work, work. I have to come up with a better way to keep myself engaged when times of work come, because it will happen again, but I can prevent the outcome this time. 

I know the year is almost over, but I have not given up. I here by recommit myself to Mastery of within reason. I will bring balance back into my life with a more sustainable plan. 

Sifu Langner

                                                Mastery by Stewart Emery

 Mastery in our career and consciousness simply requires that we constantly produce results beyond the ordinary. Mastery is the result of consistently going beyond our limits. For most people, it starts with technical excellence in a chosen field and a commitment to that excellence. If you are willing to make a commitment to excellence and surround yourself with things that represent excellence and pursue events and experiences that become miracles, your life will change. ( When we speak of miracles, we speak of events and experiences in the real world that are beyond the ordinary).

It is remarkable how much mediocrity we live with, surrounding ourselves with daily reminders that the average is acceptable. Our world suffers from terminal mediocrity. Take a moment to assess all the things around you that encourage you to remain average. These things keep you powerless, unable to go beyond the limits that you have arbitrarily set for yourself. Take you first steps towards mastery by removing everything in your environment the represents mediocrity, removing your arbitrary limits. Try surrounding yourself with friends that expect more of you than you do. Didn't some of your best teachers, your coaches, your parents expect more of you?

On the path to mastery, erase any resentment towards masters. Develop compassion for yourself so that you can be in the presence of masters and grow from the experience .Rather than comparing yourself and resenting people who are masters, remain open and receptive; a let the experience be like planting a seed within you - with nourishment, it will grow into your own individual mastery.

Correction is essential in power and mastery. You see, we are all ordinary. But a master, rather in condemning himself for his ordinariness, he embraces his ordinariness and uses it as a foundation to build the extraordinary. Instead of giving up, like ordinary people do, a master uses his ordinariness to correct his errors, which is essential in the process towards attaining mastery. You must be able to correct yourself without condemning or invalidating yourself, accept the results and improve upon them.

Correct, don't protect. 

 

Animal sitter

I don't know when but I guess I am a pet sitter now. I have taking care of Dan and Mels dog, then my Parents dog, now I am taking care of my aunt's pet. All 16 of them and they all get homemade food. 8 dogs, 7 cats, and 1 lizard. Also I will be taking care of my old land lords dog next, after this. 

 I just cant seem to say no. I say yes, because I know they don't have to many options, and it's the right thing to do. Also I usually never have any plans anyways, so I am usually free.  Now I am not advertising here haha. I am just realizing that majority of the time when someone ask me for help I will do it. So long as I have not already made a promise to someone else. 

 I realize being an animal owner people normally can't go for trip, because who will watch the pets? It has to be someone you can trust and know they will take care of your baby, or babies. I will say taking care of this many animals is a bit strenuous at times, but that just mainly the cooking. 

Right now I am staying on an acre of land so plenty of room to do kung fu when the dogs and cats are on their bathroom break.

  I really feel grateful that my friends and family trust me this much with their animals. My aunts animals are the small kind. So sometimes I will have like 4 dogs on me and 2 next to me and 1 or 2 cats on me as well. Quite the load, but pretty cool to.

 

Sifu Langner