Success

    Good morning people. Another fine day today. Boy I have been able to string together a bunch of fantastic days in a row. That is a good feeling I tell you what. I have been reading on all sorts of topics this last while. One topic I have been indulging in is Buddhism. I am trying to integrate the teachings of the Buddha the best I can. One thing that has been puzzling me is suffering. From what I have gathered, suffering is an all inclusive term. One that describes the negative feelings and emotions an individual can go through. For myself, I feel that suffering is any thing, person or place that takes you away from being in the here and now. The moment. Trying to live in the past, full of regrets and ambitions that never became realised, that is suffering. Or constantly hanging with people who will bring you down, is living in suffering.  Or maybe working a job that you really dislike, is suffering.  Well that is what I have gathered from my small amount of research. I am hooked and sold on the Buddhist idea, and now, I must train my mind to start not just grasping these teachings, but to completely give myself to these teachings. as best as I can.
    I managed to kick my little funk last week. I was surprised at how long that feeling stuck around. Usually I can kick those feelings in a day or two, but for some reason, I could not. I am glad that I decided to ask for help and talk to someone about what is going on in my life. Usually conversations like that are reserved for the worst of situations. But, lately I am finding that I need the support of my peers, friends, and family far more than before. Life has thrown a couple of curve balls at me and I have had to rely on friends a lot in the past few days. It seems, that I Ho Chaun as a program constantly humbles me. Each time I start getting too cocky, boom, brought back to reality. I Ho Chaun is forcing my way out of my comfort zone. I like to learn new things with the stick, but I need help. So I have to stop look around, see who isn't busy at that moment. Then I need to work up the courage to ask for help. There are times that arrogance gets in the way and I think I can figure it out, only to tie my arms and feet up in a move.
     I tell you what though. I am truly excited for this stick form. I only have ever learnt the school forms and here I am trying to put together a form of my own, with a weapon that I have not really done much with before. Figuring out each move, thinking out every step and strike. Trying to place the opponents in my mind, taking what I would do in a fight and transferring that knowledge against myself if you might. Then thinking out, how would I defend against that.  I have really tried to focus on the realism of this form. I think it is working well. This form truly feels like someone else has shown it to me and I am simply learning how to do so. Weird I know. I do believe that there is nothing else that I should put into this from. I asked about doing a roll or two at the end of the form, but, I am not sure. That is a lot of foot work to do. So for now, it stays out of the from, until, I figure this out more.
   Well thanks for your time and have a fantastic day.
    Mr.Duncan

Quite Quickly

How was your day today? Mine was fine thank you. This past week was another success. Though, I was a little embarrassed about the numbers I put up this week.  My reps had dropped significantly. I will not be letting that happen again. Wowser! But though my numbers were down in general, there were some parts of my goals that flourished. Mentally I feel I am getting stronger with my stick. I am very happy with how my form is coming together. My stick form, I feel, is finished... for now.  A quick tip on Friday night from sifu and another "that's cool" moment. I have found, something as small as a different kind of spin, changes possibilities in routines, in a large kind of way. The momentum of the stick, changes my hand and foot placing. It is really exciting learning and building this stick form. So much I want to learn with the stick, and with good time and patience the lessons will come. For now, I will keep going strong on what I have put together.

Well, I guess for now that is it. Have a nice week everyone!


Bye for now
Mr.Duncan

Awake for a Moment

   Good morning everyone. Another glorious day today. I mean have you seen outside today?  Holy Toledo what a day! This week was a bit of a trying week. Inspiration was found everywhere, but at times I seemed a bit down. I had many thoughts run thru my mind. Many thoughts of being un-able to accomplish goals. There was that voice that kept telling me all week, that what I am trying to do will be in vain. Oh what a mind! So many years of my mind telling me that it isn't worth it, that sometimes, I do believe my mind. But, this week, what ever my mind tried to tell me I had a good time proving myself wrong. I can accomplish my goals. I can do as I please, as long as I cause no harm to others. I need to pause for a second and I am going to have a bit of a chuckle at what I just wrote. Sitting here arguing with myself, about whether or not I can climb my mountains. Of course I can, all of us can. Lets just keep pushing thru whatever our minds try to cloud up.
  
   You see, I used to set myself up for failure, as I previously mentioned in an earlier blog. I would try something new. I would not put all my effort into the said task, and of course I would fail. Looking back I only failed because I never truly gave myself the opportunity or the time to give an honest effort. When I did kick-boxing, I never practiced, I never gave thought after class. I got into my truck and drank beers and smoked cigarettes. And I would think, what did we do in class today. I was always in so much of a haze that I could never remember things or conversations. Today though, I constantly think and ponder kung-fu. I try to stay engaged by thinking up new moves or techniques, or combinations. I talk kung-fu with people, when I can. I try to take the things I learn in class and apply then into real life. The principles that I have learnt thus far in kung-fu and I Ho Chaun, I honestly try very hard to get outta my head and into my life.
  
   On Friday night, a huge challenge presented itself. Lets do our forms with everyone else watching. This is my mind blowing up! First off, everyone's forms looked great. Pat yourself on the back sheep team. Everyone did very well. Secondly, I believe I had a 'spiritual awakening" if you might. I have no other term for what happened to me on Friday night. As everyone is doing their form, getting closer and closer to my turn, I started to tremble. I was loosing my breath, unable to concentrate. mind cluttered with good and bad thoughts. About four people from me. I said, please help calm me down, if only for my form. please allow me to breath patiently. And I kind of calmed down. As it became my turn, I reached for my stick, and the sweating and the trembling returned. "This is gonna happen right now." ripped through my mind. But I was positive, it would be okay. I told myself  "Lets get lost in the moment." At that specific moment is, where it all changed. As I am walking towards the center of the mats, I hear sounds disappearing. And not, people just becoming quieter, but, disappearing from my mind. People features, started to fuzz out. Not the I am going to pass out vision fading. I knew this was different. everything right in front of me was clear as a bell.  By the time I stood in the middle of the mats, my breath was all I could hear. Finally I looked into the mirror for a few seconds and took my final few breaths before starting, and this was my awakening, I do believe. Everyone's reflection was so fuzzy I could not make out different people. But as I looked into my eyes, my reflection became clearer and clearer. The light around me became darker, but the light on me became brighter. For the duration of my form, I honestly felt like I was the only cat in the kwoon. It felt as if no-one was there. I still had a huge feeling of panic, and I knew that everyone was intently watching. but, for a moment, I was in my own little world, practicing kung-fu. Even still, when everyone clapped, at the end, it sounded as if thunder was over head. I was so far into my form, or my training, or off on my own little planet, that the clapping slammed me back to kwoon. I knew my form was choppy and my feet where not planted, but each move flowed from my being. There was not one thought of what my next move was. No worry was put to my feet/hand placement. Everything was working. Not as good as I could have, but I will not ask for perfection yet. With continual practice and commitment, everything will continue to fall into place. And it will be beautiful. Hopefully! Fantastic!!
   Well I hope your week was as eventful and challenging as mine.
   Talk to you soon.
    Mr.Duncan

Saying hello

  Happy sunday everyone. Boy was my day fast.  All of a sudden, we are saying goodnight to the boys.  Started the day running and finally settling down for the day. Well I do not have a lot to say today, I will say this though, that I have a small feeling of satisfaction, from adding up my numbers. I had to double check, but I was like yeah that's cool. I was quite happy to see what this weeks worth of work has rewarded me with. Was a week filled with places to be and things to do, but very successful, indeed.
It was nice to see everyone on Friday and Saturday. Again, the kwoon proved as a very valuable resource. I had the chance to get some help with my stick form on those days. Fantastic news!
This week I chose a really positive word like "absolutely" and went out of my way to use it in my vocabulary. Good results! Throws people off at first! But I really enjoyed using "absolutely"
I hope everyone had as wonderful of a week as I have had.
Well, talk to you soon.
Mr.Duncan

Good day today

Why hello there. How is everyone's fine sunday? Good I hope.  This first week plus a few days has been quite progressive. Numbers and routines have been coming at a quick rise. Not to sound cocky but being able to look at these numbers and say this is happening is a fine thing to say. Thursday was a full day, that with the family and work, I could not physically accomplish anything that day. It does not bother me though. Seemed like a little reality check. A check that will always be welcome. That night I was let with a thought. "Listen man, just slow down and enjoy the ride. You will see." So patience was in order that night. and wonderfully enough, it seems, I was rewarded for them patience. You see, Friday night and all day Saturday I was left alone. Alone to my own devices.....Hahaha! This could spell trouble. Fortunately, I was kept busy with class Friday night and Saturday open training. There I was able to get my first good glimpse of what is going down with I Ho Chaun. And who exactly is in the sheep class. It is going to be a lot of fun training with everyone.
   I must admit, though. I guess I did a good enough job of not looking like deer in the headlights friday, but, I sure felt like it. What I saw and felt Friday night was really inspiring. I had all this anticipation towards Friday night, and it was well placed. To see everyone laughing and having a good time but on the same token, working hard towards a goal. That is good stuff, that's what that is. It feels real good to be a part of I Ho Chaun. Both days I was able to pick up some hints and tips on techniques for the stick. I can really see how trusting my stick and trying to flow with it will work in my benefit. More like guiding  the stick, then snapping it into place when needed. I had a good opportunity to take a breather and just watch what others where doing. After training on Saturday, I had the freedom to just learn what my stick can do. I really concentrated on the stick being an extension of my body, like I have been told numerous times. I got to do a lot of "Oh that was cool" with my stick yesterday. Normally, like today, I have a three year old playing trucks under my feet. It is tough to do the stick with out cracking him, but I manage!! Oh yeah, I should just get him a football helmet. Then stick would become even more fun. A moving target. Sweet!!
Well, I guess that's it for now.
talk to ya soon,
Mr.Duncan