Time and Perspective

I had a conversation with a former student this week about the challenge in finding the time to adequately train. I reminded the student that the spare time he was talking about not being able to give up was 2 hours a week. That is literally one percent of the week that  he was convinced he could not spare. In six months that would only be forty eight hours of practice. Two days. Accordingly, someone who says they do not have time for their kung fu classes is saying they do not have four days in an entire year to devote to something that they know will benefit them.

Why does everyone sell themselves short when it comes to personal growth? I believe it is because it is a lot easier to do that than it is to push ourselves and take a chance. Turning the perspective wheel only a fraction of a degree to the right will make a big difference on the choices we make. With the correct perspective, kung fu stops being something that requires sacrifice and becomes an investment that translates to improvements in our personal lives and in the lives of those we care for.

“To change ourselves effectively, we first have to change our perceptions.” - Stephen Covey (1932 - 2012)

Engagement

Last night was the final night our Year of the Sheep I Ho Chuan team will be together. An emotional night, as they always are, but as I have said before - this team was different. I’ve never had a team as engaged as the Sheep Team. Setbacks, injuries, frustration, anxiety, illness, work issues, family issues — I can’t think of a team that has faced more or accomplished more.

The emptiness that always comes with the end of something like this is here, but this year it is different. This year that emptiness is tempered with excitement. Excitement for the opportunities and possibilities of the year to come. The groundwork is in place for the Year of the Monkey Team to experience the same monumental, life-changing opportunities that come with a year in the I Ho Chuan.

Congratulations to the four newest Silent River Kung Fu black belts. Stay engaged, work hard, and make us all proud.

“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.”  - Jim Rohn (1930 - 2009)

Black Belt 2016

One more week to go before our Chinese New Year Banquet and four new black belts come into the Silent River Kung Fu fold. The process of grading someone to the rank of black belt is arduous and never perfect. There is always, to one degree or another, a leap of faith required. Master Hilbig’s wisdom imparted to me: “First you give them the black belt, then they earn it.”

Rank in the martial arts is very subjective and there are different standards in every style and every school. The Chinese ideal continues to hold value and, for me, makes logical sense. Traditionally when queried about their rank, a Chinese stylist should respond with how long they have studied, what style they are studying, who they are studying under, and an offer to step on the mats.

I hold black belt rank in multiple organizations from first degree to seventh degree. The actual rank listed on my certificates is of minor value when compared to the signatures on the certificates. Having established Masters and Grand Masters endorse me is the best feedback on the efficacy of my training that I could ask for.

So what is a black belt? As a person entrusted to uphold the integrity of the rank, that is a question I never stop asking myself. I expect a black belt to be relentless in their pursuit of mastery but better yet, I expect a black belt to reject mediocrity. Quantifying something like that is very difficult. It took me a couple of decades to embrace Master Hilbig’s wisdom, but I now understand why such a leap of faith is required.

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long you do not stop.” - Confucius (551 - 479 BC)

Chinese New Year

Today is the last day of the Year of the Sheep and tomorrow we begin the Year of the Monkey. Chinese New Year is a significant spiritual event for me. Yes, there is the inevitable reminder to begin anew. My daily practice has me striving to begin anew every moment and to recognize the infinite possibilities that are found in each moment. Yet the lunar new year brings an even stronger call to action. Unlike the solar new year whose big change is the increment of a single digit, the lunar new year brings a change of rhythm and vibe that, real or not, carry a significance for me. My awareness of this change in rhythm serves as a reminder of the impermanence of all things. Everything is changing, it is the nature of all things. On an intellectual level, I know this. On a spiritual level, I understand this. Learning to let go is simply a matter of understanding that what I am fighting so hard to hold on to, is no longer that which it was.

This Chinese New Year is a noteworthy one. The upcoming Year of the Monkey will mark the complete cycle of Silent River Kung Fu’s Chinese New Year Banquet. Our first banquet was held in the last Year of the Monkey in 2004. Twelve years go by fast. The present Year of the Sheep marked the 12 year anniversary of the passing of Grandmaster Stan Lee. He passed away in April of 2003, the previous Year of the Sheep. This great man’s engagement and compassion had a profound effect on my life. There has not been a day that I do not think of him with love and gratitude.

To see a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palms of your hand and eternity in an hour.” - William Blake (1757 - 1827)