Struggling

I have to admit, I'm struggling getting back into a training routine. Other than random days where I don't feel well and minor normal aches and pains, I have no reason to not train. Most of you are way busier than I am. I feel so, so much better. I have no reason to not be doing my requirements. I love being at the kwoon and I'm excited to learn new green belt things. So what the hecks my problem? I did it before, I posted everyday with my numbers, I did at least something everyday and I did it while I wasn't feeling good, so why now that I'm so much better am I not doing anything? I seriously need to give myself a good kick in the pants.

Reverence For Life

I've always had a reverence for life, all life. I'm not sure where mankind developed the idea that it's ok to destroy other species without thought. I'm not saying everyone, I'm just saying as a collective, I witness this on a daily basis. It bothers me so much that ego has brought humanity to this point. I am constantly bombarded with horrifying images of sport hunting, poaching, factory farming and irresponsible pet ownership. It saddens me to tears sometimes. There's so much of it, can I even make much of a difference at all? How many people research where their meat or everyday products come from? I know I didn't. Do people realize there's a kinder way to eat meat or buy makeup and everyday cleaners? When we purchase products do we see what's behind the items on the store shelf we're purchasing? I definitely don't want to preach all the gruesome and horrifying facts, I'm not that type of person. However, people do need to be educated. I'm always walking a fine line between what divulge and what to keep to myself. The hard core animal activists just piss people off and that's not my intent. I don't judge anyone on their decisions and often wish I had not started researching certain things. But, I have, and for myself, I need to work on being a responsible human being. I know I'm not perfect, and may be even being a hypocrite and not even know it yet.

I doubt I'll ever be able to change the world, but I remember only a few months ago my coworkers stomping on spiders and me asking them a few times not to. Today I heard from my office, "LINDSAY, you better come quick or I'm gonna squish this ugly spider." So I ran over with my cup and took him to a bush outside. It's a small thing. I wonder if the spider even knows what his fate almost was, but to me, he's a life that is not up to me to decide to take without a second thought just because.

Maybe I'm just being over sensitive and sorry for the rant. It's just something that's been bothering me today more than usual. I do recognize that there are large groups of people fighting this very same thing, and there's many that do care. I'm just not sure it's enough. I just simply ask that you think about what you're buying.

A Good Couple Weeks

Attending classes regularly has been a lot of fun. I'm excited to learn my new forms and the rest of the green belt curriculum. Seems like I'm the only one who doesn't know Kempo 2 yet, even most of the orange belts know it. I sure missed out on a lot. I'm going to have to catch up. I think I can do it.

We had the Farmer's Day parade yesterday. It's always different seeing everyone outside the kwoon and getting to know everyone on a different level. I got to learn a bit more of Lao Gar from Sihing Chervenka in the field while we were waiting. I'm struggling with this form, but that's to be expected when you're doing a form that's meant for a higher level with stances you've never done. The left footed thrust kick seems to be messing me up the most. I've never been able to learn forms quickly. I can only grasp 2 or 3 things at most, anymore than that and you've lost me.

I also got to drum a bit. That was a fun and intimidating surprise, there were people around, that could hear me...sorry about your ears. :) I guess if you're a drummer, you have to get used to other people listening to you mess up and be able to continue. I really want to drum, it's my favourite part of lion dance, so obviously I have to learn lion dancing so I'll be able to empathize with what's going on with the lion and drum accordingly. I did some lion dance last year but haven't done any this year so far, I have to start doing that again to get caught up.

All in all it was a good day with good people. All things kung fu are going a lot better and I'm pretty happy about that.