And a fine morning it is, so far. Boy this has been a good weekend. At work, we took off early and I had a bit of the afternoon to be alone. With this hectic schedule, its been tough to find some quiet time. And boy, was I needing it. As much as I am trying to like people, I love being away from people. Took my mini horse for a walk. Which is always interesting, but always a great, enjoyable time.
I got some fantastic news first thing this morning. Really set the bar for the rest of the day. My wife asks me if I am still willing to coach t-ball. And I said of course, I will. I loved it. So, she goes onto inform me, that there is a t-ball coach in alberta beach. This coach is so awesome, that parents from other communities are going to be bringing their kids to the beach to be on this t-ball team, in particular. I was like, ah crap, I was really looking forward to doing that again. She laughs and tells me I am that coach! Oh, snap I said. Me really?!? And quite honestly, my heart skipped a beat. She made my week. I was all lovey and such. And then I wondered, what did I do, that was so special? I simply took an open spot and did the best I could with those kids. Well, I guess, word of my passion for the children spread like wild fire in and around the communities around here, and people want me to coach their kids. She said the families that are coming from out of town, will only come if I am coaching. Wow! I feel humbled, ya know. Like, honestly, I just made it about the kids, that is it. As long as the kids are smiling and having fun, and doing the best they can at ball, then, I have succeeded. So, of course, I will coach t-ball this year. Abso-freaking-lutley!!
Earlier in the week, in conversation, the question came up. What kind of a black belt do I want to be? Awesome, high flying, arse-kicking, head smashing best I can be, is the kind of black belt I want to be. What about the other side of the coin? What about the internal side of a black belt? Open and honest. One with integrity and passion flowing from his pores. Kindness my religion. my heart as a temple. One that inspires everyone around me to be better than they were yesterday. One that walks what he talks. One that refuses to back down from any of life's challenges, thrown my way. Yeah that's right, the whole meal deal. the meat, potatoes and the veggies. Boy, I was in deep thought afterwards. So deep that I forgot to respond to the email afterwards. Oops, sorry!! How do I get there? How can I be that kind of black belt? How and when and who and why? Left with those thoughts in my mind, I had a few epiphanies. Well, the happenings with ball and those kids is an example of the passion I wish to distribute to all. And the integrity as well. Practice, is the only way to master the physical side of kung fu. And to work on the internal things. Well, more practice. Keep practicing the a.o.k.'s. That will continue to grow the compassion and kindness, I wish to exhume from my pores. Continuing to write these blogs with honesty, open heart and willingness to share as the only rules to the blogs. That will bring the transparency I wish to have in my spirit and mind. No secrets and no bs. Continuing to talk to my kido and show her all the love and compassion I can, while still instilling, that I am a pretty decent person, just let me show you, will continue to help with showing patience and allowing the flower of our relationship to grow. Kindness as water, love as sunlight, and compassion as the earth. All the tools to grow and cherish this love for my kido. Hopefully she will start to water this flower too. Soon, I say, soon.
So, as I write this blog, I continue to look for new ways to flourish as a martial artist. I may not completely understand everything that instills a fine martial artist, but, I do the best I can. But where did I learn this? Well, first and foremost, I learnt about love and compassion in meetings. I learnt to listen and enjoy the lessons. I learnt that even in defeat, I can grow. (that was a hard pill to swallow) But, there in those meetings, I learnt the very basics of human decency. After a few years of being a good enough human being, I found the I.H.C. The I Ho Chuan, forces me to challenge my limits and push myself into a constant state of awe-striking awesomeness. There are hills and mountains to climb and scale. One day I will meet the sheer drop off that I must climb with nothing more than determination. I look forward to that day. I no longer try to fear, what life throws at me. No, no. Today, it is, almost a fear of just how awesome I can be if I push like I haven't pushed before. Last year, was a great starting block. I pushed and started to see true awesomeness inside and I was like, ahh geeze, what is all this? And I slowed right down. I think more shock than anything else. What do you mean I am accomplishing these really awesome goals. Nerves and fear I let take over and I, in a sense crippled myself. Allowed myself to hide again. Okay. That's cool. I have seen that new level and I want it. More than ever now. I saw just how awesome being good at something really is. And I want it. If I truly want something it easy to obtain, I just need to stay this mighty course. That is the tough part. Staying the course. Fighting mediocrity. Fighting the "it is good enough mentality". Because that thought process, is just not good enough anymore!
I had posted my form Thursday night and that was kind of stressful. I have no idea why, but it was. But it was really nice as well. Just because I can not be there in person, does not mean I can not be there in spirit. And I found after I posted that video, I honestly felt a part of the team. Being away, even thought class is only thirty minutes from my home, is kind of crappy. But it is entirely up to me to draw up my engagement and be there with and for the team. It is up to me to make this year what it can be. Me and me alone. Same goes for all of you in internet world. I do not want to isolate myself, like I did last year. So I figure, if I post what I am doing and working on, then, I raise my engagement to a whole new level. It is not just to show where I am at, but a training tool for myself and others. I get to really look at my stances and flow. I get to get an unbiased look at myself and my techniques. And, there are people who might offer their guidance and assistance over the video. Fantastic!!! There is so many positives to posting my form, that it is kind of silly not to post them. Not only, do I force myself to be on top of my game, I can really feel like part of something greater than myself.
And again, the question screams in my head. Is that not the whole part of I Ho Chuan? To force awesomeness and fantastic-ness out of our shadows of our minds and show it through our kung fu and daily activities? I mean, now that I have done this, what is there to be scared of. Someone might see me preform kung fu? Don't be ridiculas!!! I have enrolled in kung fu and do it all the time. Scared someone might critic my form? oh no, I might learn or grow! That's why I put it out there. For help and ideas and suggestions. Like I have said before, even though I may be building this form, I need help with transitions and stances. It is not just me myself and I. How many black belts are on this team? Over half. Dare I say three quarters of monkey team. And how many have the expertise that is kung fu, kempo style, in particular? All of them. Sweet, so......I got my bases covered. Time to continue to grow and build like a mad red fire truck. Time to continue to grow this plant of awesomeness and watch that sucker grow and suck the life out of the poisons that I hide behind in my mind. Fantastic, indeed folks.
Well folks, that is it for now. My mind is all quiet! Weird I know. Guess I got it all onto this blog! I hope it makes sense. It all sounded really good in my mind, so, best of luck!!
Have a fantastic day
Humbly yours
Mr.Duncan
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