Running to stand still....

2012-01-29T19:57:00.000-07:00

What an incredibly inspiring night.Chinese new years was an awesome night. Was so proud of three class mates that I have watch for three years receive their black belts last night. What an amazing journey they have shared.
Thank you Sifu's
B

Almost there.

2011-03-20T22:00:00.000-06:00

I am so almost there again. It really is all mind set. It has been a rough year. I am not sad to see the tiger leave. The rabbit has been filled with many more wins then loses. The truth is I stopped blogging when I stopped having positive thoughts to write down. Many would say that is the time when you really need to be honest but I was still dealing with things and couldn’t bring myself to do it. Quitting training never crossed my mind one time this year. There were and are times I am doing bare minimum but that is changing. I never stopped going forward.

In class and through the school the word mindful has been used a lot. I think I understand the meaning but tonight I trained mindless for lack of a better word. I set up my new training space and touched every piece of equipment. Mainly I used my new pride and joy BOB! BOB is a bit creepy when you first walk into the basement decked out in his black hoodie, but seems to be a new awesome training partner. So tonight BOB and I spared for a good while with no plan in place and it felt great. I am sure he will sleep well tonight.

Brady

2011-01-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

Good day! Good class this morning. Ate really well today need to add more water and when I think I have had enough drink some more.Heading into another busy weekend where I usually lose it. Just need to focus and work the plan.Using my classes commitment to compete in the tiger challenge is another motivation for me. Many many many kempo reps to preform. Well time to eat some sushi and write out tomorrow's plan.
B

Understanding

2011-01-18T20:53:00.001-07:00

A special person sent this to me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU8DBX_0Rvg&feature=player_embedded#!

B

Random thought!

2011-01-18T16:54:00.002-07:00

No more waiting for the next great blog. No more trying to explain myself. Positivity out the window. If its good its good. If its bad then I have work to do. I am pretty much at ground zero and ready to go. My training consists of my regular classes monday and wednesdays. I have been trying to do body for life again and have the food down but need to work on the workouts. I have no excuses other then I just cant get the mindset right. Blogging use to be one thing I didnt have any issues with. If I can keep it lighter and more often it may serve as a better tool for me.
Later
B

Nothing fancy

2011-01-17T21:15:00.001-07:00

2010-12-04T09:52:00.001-07:00

Time to face my demons so I can feel normal again. So I can look to future with excitement and positivity.

B

2010-12-02T08:07:00.001-07:00

BABY STEPS!

Brady

2010-07-13T14:27:00.000-06:00

Unencumbered

This week I started to re arrange my plate. I think my eyes were bigger then my stomach.

No decisions are easy so this week has been pretty tough. I am still working my way through. It seems to be a constant evaluation of where I am. I am not always happy with my appraisal. I think I was waiting for personal things to even themselves out. That could take awhile and I cant wait any longer. So they will need to be compartminlized along with everything else. If I take something out the time needs to re distributed. I am not shrinking responsibility or accountability. If I want to accomplish goals I have set for myself there may be casualties along the way. So the last two weeks I am breathing and walking down new paths. The view is terrific. This week I need to attach requirements’ to these new paths and I am sure it will be a good week.

Brady

2010-07-04T12:08:00.002-06:00

No idea where this going. I have so many thoughts and directions, my mind is controlling my brain right now. I never thought the mental would would surpass the physical in my process this year but it has. I am living in the now more then ever. But living in the now has also come at a price. I have started to slow my thoughts and block out negativity that surrounds me. I am reacting to negativity as it comes and this is new for me. I use to just bottle it and deal with after the bottle was full. Now I am dealing with as it comes up. This is uncomfortable for some people around me but it is helping me find my way. It has become less about requirements and more about hanging in there. This team is not like organised sports. There is no crowd cheering you on, no one to tag in to give you a rest. I relished that in the beginning but now find myself caught up in the head game of it all. The UBBT is enriching my life in every aspect. It has helped me make sense of everything that is happening to me right now. I am a very private person in many ways, but lately I have really started to share my feelings. Living in the now and sharing that with others has opened a whole new world for me. I am not afraid, happy or sad in the now. In the now I can be whatever I want.

AB is the now and its nice to just stop and breathe.

Walking meditation at boot camp was incredibly eye opening for me. I just never new that was possible.

Thank you Sifu Prince for the nudge. I needed it.

Brady Young

AB

2010-06-06T08:37:00.002-06:00

Need to focus with a little more intent. Its right there all time. I have heard from others on the team from last year that the summer is the toughest time to train and remain focused. I never thought I would really have a problem with the time of year. Due to some major changes in my life I find myself lacking that next gear, but its right there. With major change comes inspiration that I am starting to tap into. I am about to start the third quarter of the process. The second quarter had many success and many failures, the third is going to be riddled with success. I am sure I have a break through in my training and cant wait to explore it further. The true constant is my regular Monday and Wednesday morning class. I have only missed 3 classes since my last vacation in November. That class really is the glue that holds it all together for me. That class never allows me to stray to far from the path. Cant wait for Monday…

Brady

Lightening crashes

2010-05-28T21:28:00.003-06:00

The weeks are not getting any easier but are making more sense. The week started with work related outings and have ended in sickness. No classes Monday and then by mid week issues with breathing means lack of training. I did get an hour in yesterday, much needed. Will need a new focus next week starting with class on Monday and a good run after. Many personal changes going on and because of UBBT I think I am seeing much more clearly. My understanding of self has never been greater. This week the major topic of discussion in my circles (small circle) was beginnings middle and ends. I have chosen to start to only deal with beginnings and middles the end will be the result of those two. Its time to put the past in the past and move on. The now is pretty good. My sickness will past and each day is a new one. Looking forward to a great week on so many levels.

"Like a rollin' thunder chasing the wind
Forces pullin' from the center of the earth again
I can feel it"

Live

Brady

Outside looking in.

2010-05-19T13:58:00.001-06:00

Right now I feel like I am on the outside looking in. For the first three months I was on the inside looking out. Due to life getting in the way I feel as if I have a cape of secrecy on. One thing I thought I was not going to have any issue was blogging. Most of the time blogging is about reflection and goal setting. At this time I am living it and not ready to reflect on it. It has been mentioned that at times UBBT members feel alone without direction. I have never felt that if anything I feel there is always something or someone to refer to. I asked a fellow UBBT member that I really look up to how his UBBT was going. He looked at me and smiled and said OK. That's exactly how I felt. Then as the day has gone on and I analyze my process the better I feel about it. It is way better then OK. It actually is pretty great I am never without a next step. I am never without direction I have twenty others that inspire me regularly whether they know it or not. Sure there are things I am have failed at or am going to fail, but its the hidden realizations and procces that truly is moving me forward. Brady Young

Tiger Challenge...

2010-05-04T21:14:00.003-06:00

Does it get any better then this?

Brady

test

2010-04-27T22:01:00.001-06:00

2010-04-27T20:57:00.000-06:00

Had a pretty good week. Highlights, preparing for the tiger challenge and trying to find time to re focus on my goals. All of the personal achievements aside. The truly inspiring hard to measure part was the pitch in Canada beatification program. Sifu Reiger put this together again this year. This was the first year I participated. We as a group adopted a park in Stony Plain which also extended to the highway. In a few groups we picked up garbage left over from winter and careless disposal. In only an hour and a half we had covered our complete area, Due to the good turn out of Silent River faithful. I worked with the group that had most of the kids. I am humbled watching my five year old spend his Saturday morning walking along the highway picking up garbage. Along with garbage pick up Oliver has help me with the driveway we adopted this year and came out numerous times to help remove snow. I am so incredibly happy he is part of this journey with me. I am sure it will enrich his life with compassion and empathy.

Brady Young

2010-04-19T17:52:00.000-06:00

Today I get to blog about an act of kindness kind of. The day started off normal. Dropped Oliver off for school and headed to my Monday morning kung fu class. I was already in a pretty good mode, so I decided to stop at starbucks and grab a coffee before class. Driving through the parking lot a large SUV came flying into the intersection somewhat cutting me off. Normally I would have been perturbed. For some reason I just smiled and waved her through. Then she beat me into the drive thru line up, still I am calm. I don’t know what had come over me. I decided to clean the inside of my truck while I waited. Then she uses interact again normally this would start a tangent sorry sometimes I am shallow. I make it to the window and the lady at the window says” HAPPY MONDAY”. Then tells me the lady in the SUV says sorry for cutting you off and bought your coffee. WOW! Today was a great day. It’s the little things.

Brady Young

2010-04-13T08:46:00.000-06:00

Packing up the house getting ready to sell is just one more task I need to fit in. It kind of is taking precedent over most other commitments. It has been a major contemplation into the last fifteen years of my life. I am sure it will all be much clearer when all of this is done. Very confusing time almost impossible for a daily routine, but I refuse to completely lose track. The only really bothersome part is when my core curriculum training takes a hit. I need to focus on the core for any of this to make sense. That is my plan for this week.

2010-04-05T11:28:00.001-06:00

I have chosen to concentrate on the positive hence the lack of blogging publicly.

The last two months have brought on 360 degree changes in my life. Not all these changes have been for the best. I have struggled to be mediocre only to achieve bare minimum, when it comes to my requirements. This sounds very terrible but I have decided to look at in a different light. Because of the UBBT I am looking at achievements in a different way daily, monthly, quarterly and yearly.

During an incredibly large increase of work load at work and life altering events I crashed my body for life program. At first I was devastated but now I have said just started over I have the year to complete so I have re-adjusted. My entire program has been re-adjusted and will need to be many more times I suspect.

Brady Young

2010-02-28T10:10:00.001-07:00

I am finding a way to get things done. It has been a tough few weeks emotionally, physically and personally. I have scrapped by on minimum requirements. I have been force to make hard decisions and leaned on my training as a crutch to keep me in a positive frame of mind. I have come to the conclusion that this program is an open script that you need to pencil in changes and adaptation on constant bases. My original curriculum has already had major cosmetic surgery but staying true to the core requirements. The injuries continue to compound all have been minor but still force me to change my daily routines. Eighty percent on my injuries are from one extra class I have been attending. I need to adjust my approach to this class and be balanced in my participation. Right now I have a portion of my training affecting my entire program. The process is the true test.

Brady Young

2010-02-18T21:24:00.002-07:00

Motivation must come in many forms. It is attached to so many clichés. Keep your eye on the prize. Step up to the plate. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. Motivation does not always have to be grandiose. Sure you have ultimate goals and reasons for doing what you do, but the war is won with many battles of varying sizes. Mastery in daily living would be my war and I will need to fight many battles to achieve this. I will lose many but the victories I relish. Tonight was one of those small battles. I have had a mediocre week there’s that word that haunts so many of us. I could make so many excuses that could derail me. During San Shou this week I injured my right large toe. That goes along with my left big toe that has healed just recently after eight weeks and my left hand pinkie finger that healed broken. The best way I can figure to look at is I need to mess up my right hand to balance my body out.

So this has been a rough week I have skipped by with minimal requirements. You would think I would guilt myself into training but tonight it came from somewhere else. Tonight it came from my five year old son. I have tried to involve Oliver in my daily practices for many reasons and it amazes me his growth as young person. Tonight as I sat on the main computer in the home Oliver asked don’t you have some pushups to do? I said but I am using the computer. He thought for a moment and said “well you could put on a Pokémon movie on your computer for me. Then you could do your pushups”. How can I argue with that motivation? So I hammered off my pushups and that felt good. Did my sit-ups and finished with my forms. Toe feels good and I won a small battle. Thank You Oliver.

Brady

2010-02-12T21:28:00.003-07:00

I was lucky enough to get out for a day of Skiing Tuesday. Skiing is something I took for granted when I was young. I loved it for many different reasons then I did on Tuesday. As I get older I appreciate still having the ability to ski most terrain. Skiing has almost become meditative for me. I can ride the lift in silence breathing and just taking in the landscape and outdoors. The really meditation though comes on the decent. I pick my path knowing it can change in seconds and I descend. I can break down my technique and concentrate on any singular movement I choose. I hope to get my kung fu to that level someday.

I started to ski at the age of nine and raced or coached for the next thirteen years. Now I ski for the pure enjoyment it gives me. On Tuesday I experienced it an entirely new way. I just finished as a UBBT requirement my first of twelve books. The first book was Peace in every step written by Thich Nhat Hanh. On Tuesday I experienced skiing in a different way. I was mindful of my breathing. I found my smile in so many different places it was overwhelming. Skiing has always made me happy but I was never really sure why. Now I know why I find peace in every turn. What a great day! Then I played in the board park with some workmates twenty years my adolescent. I smiled the entire four hour drive home.

Brady Young

Silent River Kung Fu

Stony Plain, Alberta

Canada

2010-02-02T13:35:00.001-07:00

I am starting to really get into the daily grind and learning how to get ahead and play catch up. Some areas I am excelling in and others I am finding ways to keep in touch. I am really lucky to have teammates in my weekly classes and participating sifu’s. I am learning a new form which is always a very exciting prospect. It is very different from anything else I have done to date. It is such an amazing time of growth and learning for me. I do at times feel a little sensory overload and need to step back.

Just a few words to help describe the first month of UBBT 7

ROUTINE

ENGAGED

SORE

MINDSET

IN THE MOMENT

WHAT AM I DOING?

These are just a few feel free to add words this month that have really stood out for you.

Brady Young

Silent River Kung Fu

Stony Plain, Alberta

Canada

2010-01-26T11:53:00.001-07:00

On Friday I felt like I jumped into the deep end. I am sure I am ready but it still was a bit unnerving. I can put it into perspective because it seems like it is something I have done all my life. When I was twelve years old I started to ski. I had skied three or four times only, when I told my parents I wanted to join a race team. I went on to race for eight successful years then began to coach and instruct.

My first literal experience with jumping into the deep end was my little brother. Trevor would have been three. After watching the neighborhood children swimming and diving into the pool all day he got up and move towards the deep end. I guess sitting on the shallow end steps became not much of a challenge anymore. It was so fast but I remember it in slow motion I was almost seven. He had to of been watching closely because he only bolted when he had three steps to go. He looked like a dog jumping in a pool for a stick. He actually starts to swim like a dog (doggy paddle). He was not going anywhere but he did not sink. The next part went very fast my father jumping into the pool fully clothed to retrieve him. Trevor never need help swimming again. I have played this story over and over again throughout my life relating to it. So I am ready for my new challenge like UBBT 7 was not deep enough. I am sure it will all tie together in the end. The deep end that is.

Brady

2010-01-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

Week three and I am feeling pretty good and ready for more. Each week I gain more confidence. Last week I started Body for life. I feel the sooner I do it the better and it will allow the next phase of this year to commence. I had success if the first week and out of the required forty two meals r (6 smaller a day) I missed only four. I lost three pounds in the first week. My only difficulty is getting the workouts in without getting very sore and not fulfilling my full UBBT daily requirements. Pushups and sit ups the main culprits. I really have not been without sore shoulders and upper pectoral muscles since the 1000 pushups on New Year’s Day. I look at it as it is constant remaindered of “What am I doing?”

I am working towards an incredible before and after photo twelve weeks with eleven to go or 462 more meals if I keep that number in my head I should never be hungry. How much tuna do you think that is?

Brady Young

Perspective

2010-01-12T10:11:00.003-07:00

Perspective

As a non black belt participant I have a much different perspective on this journey then a teacher must have. I am a student of a student from an amazing peer group. Learning to live in the moment at this stage is a true blessing. Just when I think that was the best martial arts moment I have ever experienced another break through moment tops that. Yesterday in class we were working on a bit realism lead by Sifu Prince. I worked with Mr. Sinclair I could see him encounter exactly what I am describing. Mr. Sinclair is a white belt but not for long. I could see him use techniques from yellow core curriculum as we engaged with ease and comfort. I am sure he was experiencing a best Martial arts moment. I hope I never lose that ability to recognize others living in that moment. I started a journal the day I returned to Kung Fu mostly about just classes I attend I am going to go back and highlight moments. I look forward to passing this up and down for a long time to come.

I really feel connected to my teammates from my class. Having two Teachers participating, really four when you include Shings. Then two students we are able to talk every class about something pertaining to UBBT. Two other benefits are that we have two retuning UBBT members from UBBT 6 who share and are connected. There are so many tools now to help us succeed Sifu Brinker has really has extended himself to lead this team. The new Ning site is AWESOME. Sifu Princes Physout program is extraordinary. These are just two of the tools that can help steer us in the right direction.

Stay connected and stay in perspective.

Brady Young

How cool

2010-01-07T09:45:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was a perfect day for training. I actually accomplished all my requirements and more. I had a day off it was like the perfect storm. I even had extra time for stretching and meditation. New Year’s Day it took me almost the full 24 hours to complete the 1000 pushup’s challenge. I was not very sore the next day but the day after really felt it. By Monday I had recovered and Monday morning class was great. Then after class I went to the gym and the soreness came back. I guess this going to be the norm.

Really worked on my Kempo 2 yesterday which I have set as a requirement for live like a champion. Only second to acts of kindness I find this as the requirement that stands out for me. I think I have just enough room to practice it at home. The form takes up so much space. I look forward to learning Kempo 3 this year and completing most of my requirement doing 1, 2 and 3.

For Christmas I received a couple of weapons a long spear and kendo sticks. I can’t wait to learn some basics it only gets better and better.

On a side note: little things that tell me how lucky I am. Frances brings home a gift for me last night (for no reason). It is an almost life size poster of Bruce Lee with a quote. She was out purchasing a birthday gift for a friend and came across the poster. The kicker she has let me hang it in the living room. How cool she is, I know pretty awesome.

Brady Young

2009-12-28T10:58:00.001-07:00

Training in December could have been a tricky month. I can say I have not gained but I have lost anything. I continue to explore the acts of kindness and find myself not counting the little things as much, which I should really start to do. Another major revelation is you seem to search to committee these acts on people that are not always a close relation to yourself. This needs to be a better focus for me. You really need to take care of the ones you love. We sometimes get caught up being that great person and treat strangers better than we do the ones closest to us.

My training still continues to be here and there. I find myself fitting in what I can when I can. It is a good pace but still would like to have better structure. Next week will bring routine back so for this week I will continue to cram in the pushups when needed. When I say pushups it kind encompasses all of my requirements.

Brady Young

2009-12-16T16:31:00.003-07:00

Pretty awesome when -20 feels like relief from the cold. Hey as long as the sun is shining I am happy. Tough time of year to be schedule orientated with so many seasonal events. Yet I still very connected to my requirements. Pushups and Acts of kindness still seem to be my engine. I really need to concentrate on involving my other requirements with the same forward thought.

Last night’s San Shou class was so great for so many reasons. San Shou (traditional Chinese sparring) is our Tuesday night sparring class. Last night Sifu Prince taught the class he always brings so much positive energy. Most of what Sifu covered last night he has shown us before. At the end he pointed out this is a great example of pyramid training. The broader the base of your basic knowledge the more you can add on and learn in the future. So for getting tapped out and losing a decision I could not have had any more fun. Also another revelation, I never said I was quick. I have a requirement of 1000 rounds of sparring to complete this year roughly 7.5 per week. In the three weeks I have accomplished the weekly requirement twice both weeks I attended San Shou class. Not that all the rounds are in class but for warm up and practice I do a few rounds earlier that day. Then find I am still a little pumped after so the next day I have found myself going a few rounds. So staying connected to your classes helps fuel the process. Again I never said I was quick.

The next two weeks should be very interesting I have set some lofty personal goals.

Brady Young

2009-12-09T19:26:00.001-07:00

Week One 984 miles to go.

First week physically has not been to bad still need to make proper schedule instead of just doing when I feel I have time. Plan your work and work your plan.

The Acts of kindness seem to be the glue right now. I constantly think about this requirement. My requirement is to create a book (journal scrap book idea) to help define what an act of kindness truly is. Last night I even dreamed of an act of kindness and even in my dream it seemed to be about Karma. I almost drove by a stranded vehicle in my dream. I stopped to back up and lend a hand and as it turns out it was two people I went to high school with and a past employee (6 degrees). So even in sleep I am trying to figure this out. I have really tried to involve my fellow workers who are on average younger adults. They really seem intrigued which is very exciting. It has been a great week physically and mentally. To top it off today I ran my personal best time in the shuttle run without losing my breakfast. Can’t wait for Sifu Prince to finish up on his new super duper UBBT requirement tracker. Right now I am writing everything down in a binder and can’t wait to see the numbers start to trickle down.

2009-11-30T12:42:00.002-07:00

993 MILES TO GO

Yesterday I started an amazing journey I have not slept for a few days. Since our first UBBT 7 I have thought of nothing but living like a champion. I finished writing my requirements but after our meeting I felt a need to tweak them a bit. I did so and submitted them to Sifu Brinker for approval. As usual I received a response with purpose and direction very swiftly.

So I woke this morning and felt a little nausea then within minutes I realized I was a live like a champion student I don’t have time to be sick. So I dropped of Oliver at school and went to our Monday morning class. Great class today there seems to be a great energy surrounding our class these days. With Sifu Shipalesky and Sifu Prince followed by four other students our 9:00am morning class is well represented in this year’s UBBT 7. This may be one of the most exciting parts of the entire process.

Well not too much time to journal today it is snowing Looks like I am going to have some driveways to shovel with my fellow potatoes.

2009-11-25T14:15:00.001-07:00

Acts of Kindness

When I first looked at Acts of kindness as a requirement for UBBT it didn’t speak to me. I think I have figured out why. Ignorance, a lack of knowledge, or just a poor understanding. I am not alone in this stance. I went to work a couple months ago seeking understanding with one simple question. What is an act of kindness? We have regressed as a society when we think holding a door open for someone is an act of kindness. Many of us now believe manners are acts of kindness. Not every act needs to be grandiose.

So I have revised the requirement so it speaks to me. I am going to start a chronicle of awareness. Over the year I am going to collect acts and add them to my research. By the end I truly would like to be able to answer the question clearly.

What is an act of kindness?

I will start a book and log acts of my own and others. I can add articles and other information to complete task. This could be my most rewarding requirement and I almost over looked it. Food for thought.

Brady

2009-11-09T12:40:00.002-07:00

Energy

Frances has been using me a subject in her practice of energy balancing. It really has started to open my eyes to new ideas and practices. Many of these effects I have experienced but have never been able to explain and still do not feel worthy of discussing. We live in a very western mind set and some concepts and feelings are not understood or accepted. Last week Frances was balancing my energy and when she reached my mid section I began to feel what at first I thought was anxiety after a good discussion I realized that’s not what it was at all. It is release and flow. Those are my words so I sure they won’t make sense to many but I am making head way. During our forms seminar Sifu Brinker’s first comment on my form was release your qi. I believe in qi and feel I have the general concept of qi. (And I mean general). I can feel it, I can visualize it. The problem is I can’t move it. Frances has given me a few exercises she has been taught by Sifu Olsvik. They are great and opening my mind to a whole new realm of possibilities.

Going on vacation next week will get to spend some time at the ocean. Some good time to recharge and work on some concepts.

Brady

2009-10-28T12:51:00.003-06:00

2009-10-26T15:45:00.003-06:00

So I finished my first draft of my curriculum for UBBT 7. I feel pretty good about it I still need to finish my ten personal victories. I am still unsure how big or small I will make them. I need to seek out a meditation teacher but most are centered around yoga. Some are done in conjunction with Buddhist practice. That is the direction I would like to go in but definitely would like to take baby steps. The field of study is so vast I don’t even feel adequate to discuss the topic. I really want to discover the philosophy of Buddhism and have done a lot of reading on the subject but I don’t think that can replace a true teacher. As of now I can meditate for short durations and enjoy it.
So many directions to explore but I need to stay focused and the bottom line which is I want to create lifestyle and work towards becoming a black belt physically and mentally. Lifestyle is what I need to be mindful of or everything becomes a task. I need to live the lifestyle live the daily and weekly routines. I guess I am just looking for a blanket to throw over top of the entire process.
I know this a personal blog but at this point there is so much I it’s really bugging me. If I third partied the blog that would be just silly, but it’s so hard saying I I I .
One of my community /personal goals is going to be to come up with or expand my idea for a book club. I think I can facilitate the project with the help of Frances. The idea would be to collect books from students that would like to participate. Once a month bring the books in that I could store in big bins and let book club students sift through and swap books. The books could cover vast amount topics that have to do with Kung fu and living great lives. Some other touches could be adding pockets to the back pages that would allow you to see others that have read the book and possibly left a comment. This may also allow good discussion between students.
Some books are keepers and people might like to close, but many people have books they may like to share. Any thoughts or suggestion would be greatly appreciated. The concept still needs details worked out but that’s my big project I have in mind.
Until next week

Brady

2009-10-19T13:22:00.001-06:00

It is so amazing how through teaching you learn. Oliver teaches me something every day. He started hockey a few weeks ago. I was shocked at how the first few weeks have challenged him. But still he continues to enjoy even when reduced to tears. Oliver has always picked things up very quickly he started walking at nine months and actually started skating at the age of two. So it was a little shocking he had so much trouble his first hockey practice. Three practices in and he has struggled but is still enjoying it. It has taught me even though you are challenged at a task you still can find enjoyment in the process.
On a few random notes I think I have decided to become right handed (kind of). I need to shift my thinking into a conventional stance so it becomes natural. Practice right handed until it is believable. I would like to have the first draft of my live like a champion curriculum done this week. I am sure it will take a few drafts but the first should be the main body.

2009-10-12T11:31:00.003-06:00

What a difference a year makes. Time to set some new goals to help get me back on track it has been a tough September and has carried on into October. Just need to get through this last family get together and set the next week in motion. Body for life has not gone as planned but it only takes a day to be back on the right path.

I need to set some quick short term goals. I have homework from last week. I am writing a paragraph on pyramid training a question from blue belt curriculum. It was a really good homework assignment that Sifu Laurie gave me an intuition I guess. I am starting new on my blue belt curriculum but without a wide base of knowledge and technique I will not be able to reach as high as I would like. Human nature would be to move forward In an I want it now fashion. I need to be cognizant of this and try to expand my base to continue to grow. The wider the base the higher the peak.

I do not intend to offend I know these are hard economic times for many people.

On the front page of the Edmonton journal there was an article about foreign workers in Canada. I am beside myself with the way we have had such an about face turn on the subject. Two years ago we could not function as region without these hard working people. Now we are ready just to discard send back or ignore them. Many came here to start new and support their families. Now the economy has changed and many employers and the government are ready to send them packing. Did we all not come from somewhere? Where would be if our great grandparents were tossed out after coming to Canada to start their new lives. It really boggles my mind. I work very close with a group of about 9 Filipinos they are hard working and really great people and now after two years are being denied sponsorship to become Canadians. They just didn’t show up on our door step. We went out after them and recruited them to come here and help us through a major labor crunch. Now we want them just to walk away. So sad.

2009-10-05T11:24:00.005-06:00

"Green represents the colour of the seedling venturing clear of the protective earth into the tender light of a calm spring day. Each day brings wondrous growth and change as the young seedling matures and strives to prosper".

Silent River Kung Fu curriculum

2009-09-28T17:48:00.002-06:00

I am trying to find the middle ground but the ups and downs are so drastic. It really has been like that for a long time. Seems the highs are much more often lately but then when you hit a low it is kind of devastating. I find if I don’t have a goal or I am falling behind on goal I hit a low. The good part is I am bouncing back from the lows so quickly. I think that is why the UBBT will be so beneficial for me. With a constant goal in front of me I feel the habits I will form will be invaluable when it comes to success. One great sign is I am finding a comfort zone with my daily push up requirement. I am able to complete 125 pushups a day on regular bases. The days I plan to do 125 PU’s I just do 25 with every meal 5 or six meals a day. Sets of 25 seem manageable.
I hope to start a new modify body for life 12 weeks right away. The routine sure will be welcomed. September really has been a crazy time for change. Oliver has his regular Kung fu class has started school and now on sat. He starts hockey. I am sure we will find some balance in our routine soon. Then just as that happens I am thinking of changing employment again. I think it is better if I just embrace change and unbalance.

2009-09-22T17:39:00.004-06:00

I have decided not to limit myself with blogging if I have a need to add to the trail I should add. Hey no one is going to say you have done too many pushups this week. So I am sure extra blogging is ok. I needed a break from reading on my last day of my mini holiday. I mentioned my new toy at the end of class last week which sparked some interest. While on vacation a few months ago I was looking for a new pair of running shoes. I found a pair endorsed by Lance Armstrong’s live strong foundation. So I had to have them. They came with a few surprises to my glee. There are many that come with what is called the Nike plus. Basically you put a micro chip in your shoe then pug the add on to your iPod. Pick your workout and your iPod records your run. You can name them and then try to beat your time, heartbeats, cadence, and so on. All the while listening to your favorite songs. If you start to slow your iPod may pick a power song to motivate you.
Here is a review http://www.brighthub.com/computing/mac-platform/articles/23647.aspx
When you get home you can plug your iPod in and download your work outs.
Makes running a little more enjoyable.
Brady

2009-09-22T09:50:00.003-06:00

Challenge accomplished! Yesterday I completed something that has been eating at me for almost eight years. Frances and I climbed to the base of the glacier at Rodgers pass. This was our second attempt at the accent. The first time we were UN prepared mentally and physically. This time we knew we were going to the top. We left Kelowna at 7 am and reached the pass at 10 am and started our climb. Our pace was awesome. We talked and hiked in silence both were special. 5 km up we missed the 2 and 3 k markers so when we reached our destination it was a bit of a surprise. If you have never tasted real glacier water I highly recommend it. The decent was just as exciting. We seemed to gain energy on the way down. At times we let ourselves run in spurts. After a few hours in the car we stopped in Banff for a great pasta dinner. The craziest part I was not sore and today I am still feeling great.
At Christmas time last year I was over 260 pounds, yesterday I climbed a mountain and drank glacier water. Living every moment of the experience. Without the choice to re- enter my life at Silent River I am sure I would be the same condition I was at Christmas. I am able to set goals and work towards them. If I fail I readjust and adapt.
This year is going to be so incredible.
Brady

2009-09-13T10:47:00.002-06:00

Forms seminar was such a great experience. It is not every day you get that much passion and detail packed into four hours. I was shown Kempo 2 and worked on it for close to three hours then presented to the Sifus and other students. I think once I get the grasp of the flow I will really enjoy Kempo. Sifu Wilson taught our small group of three. I found her explanation of the movements very helpful, she has incredible flow.
These are such great opportunities to take advantage of. I am surprised at the low turnout. Much like boot camp these are chances that don’t come along very often. We have instructors ready to pour their hearts out for us. All we need to do is show up and produce the sweat and be receptive. I can’t think of many other organizations that open there vaults of knowledge and share so freely. Next seminar or event we should implement bring a buddy at least that would double attendance.
One thing we keep hearing is Sifu Brinker asking us to be cognizant of the now by asking ourselves. Where am I? What am I doing? And now Who am I?
The who am I really spoke to me. I have a bit of self image issues even though I am transforming my body right now. I have issues looking at myself in the mirror while doing forms. When I do it, it takes me out of the moment because I feel I don’t look like a martial artist at this point. Sifu Brinker really hit home when he said who am I. Then said he is always Bruce Lee. At first we all chuckled, but I have thought about this since. This is form of expression and being. Why not pattern yourself after the person you would like to be like. Play hockey like Wayne Gretzky. Then I remembered running track in the summer and whenever I trained in sprinting I was Carl Lewis. I mimicked his high knees and his hand span he used. I also learned to relax my face from watching him. I completely understand what Sifu was referring to now. By escaping and knowing who you are you will improve and take the pressure off yourself. Feels great to have such an epiphany.

2009-09-08T12:01:00.001-06:00

September crazy busy month. So much going on don’t really know where to start. Oliver has his first week of school under his belt. I thought almost 2 weeks without class would be long but now it’s over. I decided to run during my time off and have really improved my 2 km run. I am actually running it now instead of it running me.
September is not going to slow down so I will really need to make conscious decisions about my training. Next week is the forms seminar I am really looking forward to learning Kempo 2.
Ten days to go on my commitment I made in January. I was sitting at 260 pounds with no direction no plan. I decided to be 200 pounds by my 39 birthday on September 17th. So much has happened in May I found Kung Fu and Silent River again and my life has changed. I set goals and go after them. Some I achieve others I re adjust.
Ten days before my goal date I am 215 pounds and in the last three weeks started a new diet and exercise program that is going great. So I think I will miss by ten pounds I really have never been so happy about not achieving a goal. Ten pounds when you have lost 50 really is not that far to go. So my re adjustment is 185 by Jan 1 the start of ubbt 7. All goal’s aside my health has improved which is really the biggest accomplishment.
In two weeks I am going to attempt something that has been eating at me for almost six or seven years. I am going to hike the glacier at Rodgers pass. Frances and I attempted this the day we got engaged 7 years ago. We never made the glacier and it has encumbered me ever since. Sept 21st. The day after our anniversary we will try again. I am so excited I thought it would be one of my personal goals for ubbt but I can’t wait. I feel I am in the shape I need to be in. It will also make up for the two classes I will miss while on our short vacation.
Brady

2009-08-31T08:45:00.004-06:00

Crazy! Oliver starts kindergarten tomorrow. I wonder if he has the same dreams and aspirations as I do for him. At five he really seems to live in the moment where do we lose this and have to re-learn it. He did attend a pretty forward thinking pre-school last year and I think he has a good head start. So I will not be worried about him falling behind. Kung Fu over the last year has taught him the word concentration “focus your eyes, focus your mind and focus your body” this alone I feel sets him up for success. I am not sure I would have the same feelings had he not started at SRKFU.
He has not attended a full day of school yet, but he sure knows what recess is already that is too funny. I can’t wait until he comes home after his first day and I say so what did you do today. Oliver will answer I don’t remember. That is always his answer living in the moment.

Frances and had some good conversation and have decided to enroll Oli in hockey this year. We don’t want to stretch to thin but feel we don’t want to rob him of opportunity.
Ultimately he will make the final decision.

I love the fall it is my favorite time and season of the year. So much change and so many chances to start new. Fall was always my training time to ready myself for the downhill racing season. Long runs in woods with the leaves changing colors and it getting colder and colder until the snow hit the ground. I will try very hard to embrace this feeling this year.

Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. ~Stanley Horowitz

2009-08-22T09:37:00.004-06:00

I thought I would send Sifu Edge a private message but had some difficulty. So I decided just to blog it and hope she gets the message. I am sure many could share similar stories. On Cananda day Oliver's fifith birthday he asked me where Sifu Edge had gone. Oliver had been in her class since september. I explained she had gone to stunt school to learn to be a stunt women. Oh whats that, so I explained. Then without any conversation he started to put together his own little show.(too funny)So you continue to influence.
Good Luck Sifu

2009-08-17T13:51:00.003-06:00

The dog house
So I really only have some random thoughts this week.
First Oliver has had a few issues the last two weeks he is five and never really been an aggressive child. In the last two weeks he has had two separate incidents where he was aggressive with two different kids. Both times the punishment fit the crime. I would hate to use kung fu as a punishment but he does hold it dear. The thought of him missing a class as penalty sends him into a fit of frenzy. So we will have to really put our heads together and come up with a plan. This afternoon he wanted to play on the computer and I said no that his privileges had been revoked. He pushed the issue and I said hey little man your already in the dog house. HUH DOG HOUSE and then proceed to laugh at me. I guess the term is beyond this generation’s tech savvy culture. I may have to refer to it as, In the Dog Kennel.
I just figured out with Kwoon Reno’s and then the holiday Monday we will miss three classes in Sept. But then quickly thought I will make it up attending the forms seminar. See where there is a will there is away. I really need to set some assertive goals for September.
Fitness test today in class I felt pretty good I am close to achieving the next belts levels for fitness testing. I did half in my current level (20’s in 60 seconds) and a few I moved to 30 which is the next belts level squat thrusts was not one of the thirties.
I have a thought I am trying to work out for UBBT 7 that would have me seek out a sihing to mentor under in their year leading up to their black belt test. I need to make it measurable; I am thinking a pass could be 40 hours it could be time spent moving through curriculum and whatever else the sihing need to work on. It would have to be time spent outside regular class. I think this would help myself immensely and the sihing as well.
Just thinking out loud
Brady

2009-08-10T13:44:00.003-06:00

Bread Crumbs
My real reason for blogging that I have stated before is to leave a trail of bread crumbs to follow if I get lost. So the last few weeks have been a challenge. My motivation stays strong but I have found myself confused and frustrated. I think I am working my way out of it but need to stay focused. I hit a plateau in my fitness which happened to coincide with a circuit malfunction in my brain. Left and right started to haunt me and my frustration mounted and compounded all my problems. Last Tuesday Fran pushed me to go to San Shou class and my mind set changed. I still had a frustrating wed. Class but then took two days off complete not thinking much about anything at all. Sunday I started my review from white to green. My forms where lost but now are found that is a little scary when they just go away and all of a sudden you don’t know you’re left from right. I was concentrating on green belt combinations for almost four weeks exclusively and messed myself up completely. Today I had a much better class and feel much better. I still continue to plateau and need to re focus body for life commitments. I set a goal in March for Sept 17th. And am still 17 pounds from there it will be very close.
My meditation is coming along very slowly. I really feel I can fully meditate for about three to five minutes. I constantly think about meditation and find myself not talking as much as normal. I don’t just engage in conversation just for the sake of conversation. I am very aware of my breathing and find myself thinking about breathing habitually. I am not able to clear my mind completely by any means but the biggest change is I can clear out over half of my thoughts. This is huge for me I have a very busy mind nothing really important or profound in there just busy. The only bad thing like I said is I am starting to be able to shut down and cut people out at work and at home. I will have to play with this a bit to find a very happy medium.
I hope I have left a marker for myself, so in the future I can re visit and say oh ya that’s what I should do or shouldn’t do. Always remember it is better to step back take a look then proceed. One step back two steps forward.

2009-08-03T11:02:00.003-06:00

So I have really held off blogging about my interest in participating in next year’s Ultimate black belt test. One of my apprehensions that I was most concerned about was overcoming adversity. An example would be limitations or injury. Well over the last four weeks I have worked through a few injuries. First I jammed my pinky finger sparring. Then I strained my neck/shoulder moving my pushups 100 a day to 130. This was a real eye opener because that is a basic daily challenge for the UBBT (Ultimate black belt test).
There are currently two non black belt’s participating in the test. I really admire their drive when at times they are questioning themselves personally. I have watched both of them work through a series of injuries and other challenges. They both still show a commitment beyond the average. This motivates me and really gives me no excuses but to put myself in a position mentally and physically to take on this challenge. Ms. Prince and Mr.Tymchuk continue to inspire your over half way there. These two take away my excuses.
This is where blogging really becomes paramount for challenging others and leading the way. I read blogs to help me understand questions I have but don’t ask. I am sure there are many of us in the same boat. Sifu Brinker blogs religiously of Sunday’s it is the highlight of my day. I always find motivation or something to think about. When a peer or Sifu reads a book and recommends it I want to read it. Without blogging all we would have is class to try and figure all this out. Blogging is an amazing tool to guide and lead. Thank you to all the great journals.
One challenge I would like to write into my test would be family involvement. I am not sure how I will set this goal but I do feel the importance of the family. I see many people struggle with this so if I write it in it will become just as important as all other commitments.
I have already talked to Sifu Brinker about UBBT 7 and still have a lot of work to do to get ready but I am defiantly moving in the right direction. Even if I was not going to participate I think we all could learn from this test. It would give us a chance to set yearly goals and daily work to achieve them. By achieving these goals our bodies, minds, Kwoon and community will all become stronger. I am so humbled to be a part of such an amazing group of people.

Brady

2009-07-28T10:53:00.002-06:00

It is written
I have finished two books in the last few weeks. The first was Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. It was hard read and has taken me the better part of three months to read. I am sure I will need to read it a few more times to really even start to have a concept of comprehension. I feel some level of accomplishment having read this book.
The second book I read in just under half of a day. The Alchemist was a very moving study. You can’t help but stand back and take a look at your life after reading such a book. Call it omens call it signs or even the writing on the wall I can understand why this book speaks to so many people. I have already turned three more people on to this read. It is sure easy to look back and say oh that was a sign, a little harder when it is happening at that moment. Reading really has taken the place of other forms of entertainment for me as of late and I think I am better for it. Right now I am just picking off books that others have listed as books they have read. A book club through the kwoon would be such a great idea. I think that might be a great community based project I could take on someday to help engage others through exchange. Reading sure inspires me to get up and out and advance myself.
I think I need a light read so I have picked up a copy of Randy Couture’s new book “Life in and out of the cage”. I am sure I will finish it on my days off. I also picked up “Peace in every step” by Thich Nhat Hanh. Much heavier but still helping to move me to a better understanding of the person I strive to be.
Changing gears completely. I am so excited for what the future holds if I can improve my life as much as it has in the last six months since my return to Kung fu. The biggest change would be my family’s support and commitment. My parents started Thi chi a few months ago and are totally engaged. I am so proud of them. Oliver continues to learn the importance of concentration and discipline through his classes two times a week. The latest recruits are my brother’s two children who have joined the Saturday morning class. They both received their first strip on their white belts .I am just as proud when they all succeed as I am for myself. Frances continues to push and guide me. Kung Fu life is great.
Brady

What has Kung fu done for me?

2009-07-20T12:44:00.002-06:00

What has kung fu done for you?
Done for me sounds final so I have decided to answer what is kung fu doing for me. I think if I stay in that mind set it will take me to black belt and beyond. Kung fu has given me mentors, leaders and an incredible community of people to look up to. From all walks of life, all age groups, all with a common way of thinking. It has given me a lifestyle.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lifestyle was originally coined by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler in 1929. The current broader sense of the word dates from 1961.[1]
In sociology, a lifestyle is the way a person lives. A lifestyle is a characteristic bundle of behaviors that makes sense to both others and oneself in a given time and place, including social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. The behaviors and practices within lifestyles are a mixture of habits, conventional ways of doing things, and reasoned actions. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individual's attitudes, values or worldview. Therefore, a lifestyle is a means of forging a sense of self and to create cultural symbols that resonate with personal identity. Not all aspects of a lifestyle are entirely voluntaristic. Surrounding social and technical systems can constrain the lifestyle choices available to the individual and the symbols she/he is able to project to others and the self.[2]
The best part is that every day is I have a large group of people telling me “We know the way we will show you”. How incredible is that? I am blessed that I have an entire family committed to this way of life right now. I have started to enjoy the moment. I have found a way to communicate my inner struggles and success. It is not about punching and kicking these are just two building blocks of thousands that make the art. I have started to set goals and work them within a success path that will allow me to achieve anything I set my mind to. I am sure this all will change from year to year but that is where I am now. Which is why I started to journal in the first place. Just in case I lose my way I have a trail of bread crumbs to get back on track.
A great example of all of this was boot camp. We worked out, ate, and learned new skills for fourteen hours. The last event of the day was a timed two kilometer run. We divided into two groups each group went in opposite directions. At some point you crossed paths with every participant. Every single person gave me some kind of encouragement. Kung Fu is an awesome example of forging a sense of self with the guidance of a peer group.
This entry is under construction because, what has Kung fu done for me will always be a changing answer.
Capture the moment.
Brady

2009-07-14T08:51:00.003-06:00

south⋅paw
Spelled Pronunciation [south-paw].
Use southpaws in a Sentence
–noun
1.
A person who is left-handed.

2.
Sports.
a.
A player who throws with the left hand, esp. a pitcher.

b.
Boxing. a boxer who leads with the right hand and stands with the right foot forward, using the left hand for the most powerful blows.
–adjective
3.
left-handed.
Origin: 1880–85, Americanism; south + paw 1

I found this online and really liked it. Sylvester Stallone is a southpaw.

In Reel Life: Rocky is a lefty. He tells Adrian that he's a southpaw, and explains the term's etymology to her: 'You know where southpaw comes from? I'll tell ya. A long time ago there was this guy, maybe a couple a hundred years ago, he was fighting around, I think it was around Philadelphia, and his arm -- he was left-handed -- and his arm was facing toward New Jersey, you see? And that's south. So then naturally they call him south paw. You see? South paw, south Jersey, South Camden, south paw. You know what I mean?'

In Real Life: Rocky's explanation includes a grain of truth. According to the 'New Dickson's Baseball Dictionary,' the term was coined in the late 1800s to describe left-handed pitchers, who, facing west in most ballparks, had their left arms hanging on the south side of the ballpark. A sportswriter, Harry Grayson, investigated this theory in 1951, and determined that most ballparks did, indeed, place home plate on the west side of the diamond, on the principle that this would keep the sun out of hitters' eyes during day games. The term has been applied to other sports, including boxing, and obviously came into general use. The term 'northpaw' never caught on, though.

I have started to figure out a bit of my confusion. I am left handed naturally. I realized I was different at an early age around the age of eight or nine. When I started to play hockey and baseball. I would throw with the opposite hand then all the other kids (no problem there). The problem came when it was time to catch. A different glove was required still no problem if it was a planned event. These were my first experiences living in a right handed world. I tried catching and throwing with the wrong hand. I was lucky society had just moved past believing left handed people were witches. My mother was converted in grade school into a right hander as many were in her generation.
I am not complaining because left handed people do have some advantages. One I learned while attending The Disney institute of customer service. When you arrive at a Disney park go left every time it is practicable. You will be amazed how much more you see and are able to take in.
When it comes to my martial arts training it can truly get confusing in my head. I need to download and rearrange most forms and techniques. I usually pick technique up very easily in most sports. I have never trained in boxing but by breaking down technique I have some basic skill.
I find in class I struggle but at home after I am able to reverse or practice my natural way I feel comfortable. I do this in most cases without thinking or analyzing. As I learn more complicated forms and techniques I really need to break down the process in which I do this.

One last thought pushups and sits are not affected by which hand is prominent.

Brady

2009-07-05T21:50:00.002-06:00

It has been one week since boot camp and I have really had to revaluate my current way of thinking. I was really not satisfied with my personal performance I thought I was further along. So this week I was reminded of a story once told to me by a mentor.
It is about Tiger Woods. Tiger was coached and mentored by his father. He went on to become arguably the best golfer of all time. His form faded in the second half of 1997, and in 1998 he only won one PGA Tour event. He answered critics of his "slump" and what seemed to be wavering form by maintaining he was undergoing extensive swing changes with his coach, Butch Harmon. When Tiger was asked by Butch what part of his game they should work on. Tiger answered my short game, it is mechanically my weakest. Butch then asked which part is you’re strongest. Tiger came back with my drives are the best in the world. Perfect we will work on your drives make them better so we don’t need your short game. The rest is history Tiger has gone on to become a true great in the game of golf.
So last week I decided to adopt the same mentality. This week I have knocked off 1 minute and 45 seconds from my 2km run. I have gone from a BBT four to a seven in one week. I have been a pretty good runner in the past and felt it can and will be a strength. Sit ups I scored a seven last week next that needs to be a ten. So by picking off strength’s and exploiting them I am improving my overall score.
Truly it means I am improving my entire fitness program in a much more positive way then beating myself up.

I still need to post my Junes goal reveiws and my new challenges and goals for July. Still chasing my last requirement on my current belt. Need to work on combinations. Will add this in for sure this month.

Brady

2009-07-01T11:15:00.002-06:00

July 1st. Oliver turns five today and it is Canada’s birthday. So all in all a busy day and week. Oliver’s younger cousin Login started Kung Fu a few weeks ago so I am hoping to take the two of them to the demonstration later today. I think we have a few years left convincing Oliver the fireworks on Canada day are for him.

Boot Camp was this past Saturday and it was incredible. The more I sit and analyze the more I seem to draw from the experience. At times I felt very inadequate but then how can I be when comparing myself to myself. Really gives me a base for comparison for future fitness tests. I would like to go into more detail but that could make for a long journal. Instead I will jot down a few words that come to mind that best describe the day.

Leadership
Family
Friendship
Past the point of exhaustion
Second winds
Inner look
Sensory over load
In the moment
I could blog a full entry on each of these words.

Happy Birthday Oliver!

Brady

2009-06-24T15:08:00.001-06:00

Lance Armstrong

Ten days until the tour de France starts.

I am not sure where this post is going to go as that statement conjures up so many emotions.

I remember when I was 15 years old the only coverage of the tour de France was on Saturdays. They would update the whole week in one afternoon. I never raced in cycling but was always intrigued. I would cross train on the bike in the summer to keep me in shape to downhill ski race. My friends and I would watch American flyers and the tour in July and go for long rides in the hot summer sun.
Years past and I followed the tour but never very closely. Then in 2000 along came Lance Armstrong. At first I was interested by the athlete and how brash he was. That quickly changed. By 2001 I was setting my alarm clock for 5:30 am to get up and watch the tour live. I don’t think I have missed a live stage in 9 years. Obsessed, maybe a little.

This all really is leading to my thoughts on the sport’s greatest athlete. There are Lance lovers and there are Lance haters. I don’t want to dwell on the haters to much but there are many that do not believe he has done this legally. They hold true that he has cheated by using illegal drugs to achieve almost super human feats.
Erythropoietin known as EPO is used to blood dope. I do not work in the medical trade but the long and short I stress the short is Epo enhances performance in athletes. It allows increased oxygen carrying capacity. Great for endurance athletes such as cyclists. Lance Armstrong has taken EPO. Wait a minute!
Lets back up to 1999 before Lance won any grand tours. Lance woke one morning and one of his testicles was swollen. By the time the tests were in Lance was diagnosed with brain and testicular cancer. After major surgery to remove both tumors he had months of chemotherapy to rid the rest of his body of the poison. This is a very condensed version of an amazing story of courage and perseverance that truly does the story zero justice. Please read one of his three books they changed my life.
During his recovery Lance was given EPO to help his recovery. He is a survivor.
I found his books comforting in a time when both of my parents were battling the deadly diseases. I don’t talk about feelings very well but this was a scary time, both found out within a couple of months of each other. Both were diagnosed in November it was a dark Christmas. I can happily say both have been clear and free for five years as of last month.

For the lovers, Lance is back after a three year layoff. He has nothing to prove he is the greatest. He is not collecting pay from his current team. He is back to raise awareness for the fight against cancer.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation has raised over 250 million dollars to date. This money goes to cancer research not just the cancers that he had but all. 250 million and he is coming back risking his legacy to raise awareness. Cheater or not we are talking about a great human who knows how to give back. We all need a little Lance in us.

LIVESTRONG
Brady

2009-06-21T22:29:00.004-06:00

I am a few days behind in my journaling. So I need to get a few thoughts and progress report in. Spent the last seven days exploring Nevada and Arizona. We visited the Grand Canyon for the first time. Traveling though an ancient Joshua tree sanctuary was very surreal. We hiked around the red rock canyon during the early morning. Just to list a few of our adventures.
We were able to stick to our morning workouts every day. Starting in the gym and finishing out in the hot desert sun.
I had my first experience with reiki treatment at a spa in Las Vegas. She told me my mind was busy and was hard to slow down. I know this has always been a problem, but in the last six months I have come a long way. I would like to explore more of this in the future.
I have a couple chapters in “Way of the peaceful warrior” left to read. What a great book I would highly recommend it to everyone.
I am so excited to resume regular training almost like returning to school after summer break.

2009-06-10T12:33:00.000-06:00

Busy week getting ready for vacation and fulfilling my requirements. I missed class on Monday so I could take Oliver to the dentist. I have started to beat myself up a bit when I fall short of a goal (*100% attendance). I think this is good and bad, good because family is first and bad because I can’t let myself down. I am finding a better way of coping with all this now.

I will miss next week’s two regular classes and one San Shou class. I have already come to terms with this and will fill my vacation with equivalent training or more. Then the first week back we have boot camp, I am sure that will make up for the loss time.

Part of the whole journaling process is to leave a trail off bread crumbs. Bigger than that for me is to capture feeling’s that I can re tap into at a later time. I had one of those moments last night. We signed up for this year’s boot camp. I have an idea of what to expect but it will all be new. One of the seminars will be weapon’s training. This year they have decided on the double broad sword. Last night Sifu Brinker gave me my first weapon to use for the seminar. I am a little excited to say the least. Now I may not of written about this but after a conversation with Shing Reiger last night I felt I should. He told me how he felt after he received his first weapon the Bo stick. He felt the same way I did last night. I felt the need to capture the feeling.

By no means do I feel like a Martial artist yet, I just love the fact that I am practicing a martial art. The idea of using a weapon that was used by ancient kung fu practitioners makes me feel I am on the right path.

UBBT

2009-06-03T13:44:00.005-06:00

As many of us know, twenty of Sifu Brinker’s student’s are in the middle of the Ultimate Black Belt Test. Most are close to or half way through the one year commitment. I am not sure if they know how inspirational there blogs are to the rest of us. Like any challenge it sure is nice to get a little encouragement from others. So if you have a chance to jump in and give a little support I am sure it would be appreciated.
An example is almost if not all involved have a commitment of 50,000 pushups to fulfill within the year. This is a daily challenge feel free to approach them and drop and do a set of twenty or thirty. Talk to them about their test you may find they are completing a task you can help them with.
I would like to offer some sparring rounds if anybody is behind on their 1000 round’s requirement.

This was my post on kwoon talk today after a talk with Sifu Brinker. The Ultimate black belt test may not be for everyone, but everyone can help. I think it is a little tough for a student to look up to a teacher and offer help. Everyone can use a little encouragement even if it is a peer or superior.

Brady

Inspiration = perspiration

2009-05-27T19:30:00.002-06:00

A little inspiration can go a long way. Today was encouraging; I received merit towards my next level and objective. With that I was given direction and a challenge. I came home forwent my coffee and the news. Went down stairs and combo kicked my big bag for another ½ hour. Combinations are my last stripe to receive on my orange belt. Not that I don’t like my orange belt it is very comfortable but I have had it now for almost six years. Classes are done for May on to June. June’s goal setting………
It’s tough to really concentrate on any but my family work and Kung Fu right now. I am going on vacation in two weeks and all I can think about is how I can incorporate Kung Fu into our trip. Our timeshare is Las Vegas first thought would be Vegas that is the farthest thing from kung fu and a kung fu lifestyle anybody could choose. After further research it really has much more to offer then the obvious. I can’t wait to have a few hours a day to dedicate to my training.
Back to goal setting for June.

· Refocus on Body for Life even on vacation (full work outs) (use free day)
· Three books and finish Zen and art of motorcycle maintenance.
· Combinations 20 reps one combo daily as warm up for workout
· 100 pushups everyday
· Work towards combination’s stripe and next level
· Complete boot camp June 27th.

Today I also witnessed two students in our class promoted to brown belt. Congrats Ms. Prince and Mr. Gamble, Again very inspirational.

Brady

2009-05-20T13:11:00.002-06:00

Over come and adapt.
Question do you allow yourself to fail at a goal or do you reevaluate and adapt?
If you accept failure to soon are you being too soft on yourself?
It looks as though I am going to fail at my goal to move my level to where I wanted to by June 13th. I am sure that I am now looking at August early September. I have achieved other goals that I had not set out to do, and I am happy with those.
I had a bad week pulled muscles in back and fighting of cold were more than my intestinal fortitude could take. I missed my first class since my return to kung fu. I missed my theory test a chance at a stripe I am very prepared for. This then leaves one more requirement for knives defense which I reviewed and tested today. 100% attendance was and is still a major goal. Missing one class is not acceptable and cost me. I need to re focus and focus on some success. Hmmmmm Kempo 2 yeah that will do it. Learn and repeat let’s say 3 weeks 200 reps. Ok done deal.

On another note I am three weeks away from vacation time. Fran and I are going to use our timeshare in Las Vegas for seven days. We plan on going to the Grand Canyon for the first time and hope to see the sun set. I have also researched an ancient Joshua tree sanctuary about 50 miles south of Vegas we would like to go take in. Then it’s a whole lot of relaxation after our body for life workout every morning of course. I have set a goal of two books read by the end of the trip but I am hoping for three.

2009-05-11T11:59:00.003-06:00

Computer died, sorry Oliver killed it. Ok I am over it that took me almost two weeks.

April is in the books and on to May. Reached most of my goals. Read two books to complete.

American Shaolin by Matthew Polly was a very entertaining read. Mr. Polly trained at shaolin temple in the early 90’s. As an American he was the only non Chinese training.

Zen wrapped in karma dipped in chocolate very enjoyable with some things that really got me to thinking. I would really like to dig deeper in to meditation. Hmmmmmmm.

I prepared for the tiger challenge. On May 2nd the entire family competed in the tiger challenge. The entire day was incredible. Here are the highlights of a perfect day.
Woke up with no alarm at 7:30 entire household is excited. I am nervous more about the sparring then anything. We arrived at the TLC around 9:00 am. We all watched the opening Lion dance and Oliver caught some lucky lettuce. Oliver was up first with the crane stance competition he lasted 15 seconds but home was up around 40 seconds. I think he was getting the jitters out.
At the same time they were calling for adult sparring so I had to go get ready for that.
Over the next two hours Frances Oliver and I competed in 8 competitions. We all did great. I don’t think it was all about the medals but I am sure proud of Oliver with his four medals and Frances with her two.
The rest of the day was spiritual. We watched forms and sparring until the very end.
Sifu Prince with a reverse knife hand broke a board that Sihing Regeir was holding with two fingers. WOW!
Another incredible moment was turning around to see Oliver doing pushups with Sifu Edge on the main mats. She is an awesome teacher and I am very happy Oliver has been introduced to Kung fu by her.

We came home had a family hot tub some tea and watched Kung fu panda on TV.

PERFECT DAY.

I have reset some goals for May. I still find it tough to write my accomplishments down hence why I did not blog my results of the tiger challenge even know they were very good. I get much more enjoyment seeing Oliver and Frances excel.

Will blog goals for May next.

BY

OLIVER'S FIRST FILM

2009-04-21T08:54:00.003-06:00

Oliver and I had a day off so we made a short music video. He seems to really enjoy Kung fu it really has brought our family together. Oliver picked the song it is one of his favorites. I am sure we will make many more.

It has been a good week but a flu bug has hit the house hold. I have not missed any training which is good. Still on goal of 100% attendance.

Knock off three more monthly goals. Finished The life of Pi I enjoyed the book it asked many questions I have thought about many times in my life. I love the fact that the main character practiced more then one religion at a time. I say why not would that not solve so many of the worlds problems. I feel a rant coming on but I will save it for another blog as I am not sure where I stand on the topic of religion right now.

Completed the forms marathon. Which was an incredible experience learnt two more forms and now have all green forms in my repetoire.

Will be receiving a stripe on my orange belt on Wednesday. This acheive's my third goal of the month to level up.

Goal setting is the key to success period. Next up 75 more reps of Kempo 1. and preperation for the tiger challenge.

Life is great

FORMS

2009-04-16T14:36:00.002-06:00

I am committed and feel like I belong. I am living up to the 100% attendance. Quickly I have added to the base of my training. San Shou on Tuesday nights and running after class Monday and Wednesdays.

Frances and I participated in the 24 hour forms marathon. We were very excited and were the lowest belts that did partake. We arrived almost 45minuites before our scheduled time slot. This was 2:00 am to 4:00 am. After a short warm up and adding 50 push ups each to the count we fell into the rotation.

Starting with only three forms in my repertoire I felt I would try to work on center. Quickly I realized this was an almost surreal environment. Time flew by and by the end I had been taught two new forms. Kempo 1 was first and I completed the form 25 times. I really enjoy this form. Then I learnt Hung 1. This was my first time training under Sifu Davis it was great experience he talked to me about my stances and kung fu in general. Sifu Bryant explained hung 1 to me and I picked up the basics of hung quickly.

The group dynamic was casual yet still very respectful. As a group we completed almost 1000 push ups in our two hour contribution. I completed close to one hundred forms and 300 push ups. I feel honoured to be involved with such a great group of people.

On a totally random thought I came across a quote that really hit home hard for me.

“You only realize how valuable your treasure is when you see someone else holding it”
Zhou Xuan-Yun Daoist monk

I wish I did not have to learn this with such a harsh lesson. But I will cherish my treasure and have been taught a life tutorial.

B

2009-03-24T10:59:00.000-06:00

Balance

I have been on a constant search for balance in my life for a very long time. Always looking back you think I had balance there and looking to the future you say if I can only get there I will have balance. But the “now” never feels like balance.
Where would I fit in the yin yang, at times I am the black dot.
But possible the reality of now is you are the line that runs through the middle and that’s the challenge to see but not to strive to either side. If you could just stay in the middle to achieve balance.
So today I am balance and content. The now feels pretty good. I can accomplish what ever I need to today.

“The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be”
Marcel Pagnol quotes (French Writer, Producer and Film Director, 1895-1974)

Show me the way.

2009-03-10T13:42:00.004-06:00

Through my first week and my appetite for knowledge is ferocious. Every conscious and I would assume sub conscious thought are about martial arts. I am enjoying relearning skills I was doing at a level that I was comfortable. If I am able to always stay in this mind set I will accomplish any goal I set for myself. That mind set is moving into an uncomfortable state. The need to learn and move to the next milestone. I am asking myself am I doing every thing I can to right now to accomplish my goal.

This morning my equal came home from kung fu. First of all it starts at 6:40 AM and it is -33 who would like to talk about re-commitment, I am so proud of her. Then the greatest part of all.
“She say’s I learnt Kempo today”. She says smiling.
“I said all of part one in one day”.
“Yes she repeats would you like to see”.
“Come on of course I do”.
She moves through it no problem. I can not wait for her to show me more tonight as she ran off to get ready for work.

I have joined San Shou which starts tonight. I am a little excited and a little intimidated. I must remember it is about me and my journey every person in this class is going to help me down this path.

Here are my ponderings, I have an aggressive personality. Yet I am very passive and non confrontational in most cases. Now don’t get me wrong if I am correct on an issue I will argue with you until you see it my way. I do see this as a character flaw, but nobody is perfect and I am trying to change. I am extremely competitive and due to arrogance mainly I have quashed competition out of my life. My hope is to learn to humble and enjoy competition again.

This week has started out incredibly I can’t wait for more.
Brady

Fear of the know.

2009-03-02T11:49:00.006-07:00

Part one….
11:04 pm
The night before I start back to the place I should never have quit. I do feel a little shame and inadequacy. Hard work it is in the name. I need to embrace it enjoy it. Feel comfortable with the feeling. Be happy knowing that feeling is from pushing myself to that point.
The sick feeling of nausea after a tough shuttle run. Thinking my teeth were going to fall out after a fitness test. Aching legs during and after only minutes of excruciating horse stance.

I have a clear picture of where I am and who I am. I am not searching for myself. I want to improve myself and others around me. This is not arrogance but more of a statement. I would like to share my goal. To accomplish Black belt before I move past the age of forty three. That is almost four years from now. Every other goal is to help me achieve this.
At times like this I would get so wrapped up in the goal I would miss the journey. I vow to not let that happen. I will journal my entire passage. In my mind I have already succeeded. I have pictured this happening and have a vision of the year of the horse ceremony.

In that vein let me enjoy where I am today. I have an orange belt with half of the requirements for my green belt. I ran a mile in 11 mins. Two days ago. (4 mins. better then 2 weeks ago). I have run an eight min mile on more then one occasion. I can only do 30 push ups and 30 sit ups right now. I can not do a pull up. I need to shed 30 pounds to even start elite athlete training. I have not strayed from Body for life eating for 27 days. I have a wonderful family that learns from one another everyday.
Tomorrow………………………………………………………………………………

Part two…..

Baby step class one complete. I have a permanent smile on my face. Last night I wrote where I was. Now 12 hours later I am further. I can do 40 push ups. I did 40 sit ups then 10 more and struggled to do 40 more that were poor form, more wiggling then a sit up a deformed crunch but I tried not to stop.
I feel great and focused. The anxiety has left my body. I can’t wait for Wednesday.

2009-02-23T13:18:00.003-07:00

Quitting

Today I went for a 45 min walk around the running circle at the TLC with my mom. In the past few months my parents have begun to study Ti chi. so we have had a few conversations about martial arts. Today was the same as we ambled we talked. I told her about where I was and where I wanted to go. I let her know I had emailed Master Brinker and we had a firm date to start. She then asked me did he ask why you quit.
I said no he was just happy we were returning. Then for a moment I was speechless. Just a moment.

Why did I abandon my training in the first place? I have been so wrapped up in starting over again I did not take the time to think about why I stopped. I could go on forever about everything I lost when I stopped going to Kung Fu.

I thought I would convey my excuses as not to fall pray again to theses mistakes.
I eight mile myself so there is no excuse I could possible use. Now these are thoughts I have or had in head floating around. While floating around one can seem to find acceptance. As I write them down I can not believe how pathetic and petty they actually were.

6:40 a.m. am I crazy

-30 and can not see through the frosted front door

My training partner is pregnant

I am lazy

Life is to stressful to have another responsibility

Accountability

My uniform will not stay on because I am too overweight

Too old

Can not train to my old abilities

Did I say I am lazy

These are most in a nutshell. So changes I have made or am making.
I have changed to the 9:00 class.
I will install command start and I bought training shoes.
Oliver is almost five and I have my training partner back.
Laziness is a work in progress.
Kung Fu will help with stress not add to it.
I need to be held accountable.
I am doing Body for life with a goal of 185 pounds by September 17th.
I will fix my uniform so it will stay together we have the technology.
Old is a mind set ask George Forman or Lance Armstrong.
Hard work will reinstate my abilities.

OUR LITTLE MASTER

2009-02-22T10:30:00.003-07:00

Eight days until I commence. In reality I started 2 weeks ago. If I could bottle this feeling and sell it I would be rich. I would call it impetus it is that new relationship feeling. The comfort of the not knowing and the excitement of what is to come. Move over Dr. Phil here comes Impetus. Frances thinks it is me that has motivated her but really it is IMPETUS. In all actuality it is her that has enthused herself. To the point of me becoming an innocent bystander watching her do forms. Which I was all to content to do.
The high light of the week was as Frances and I started to train. Oliver decided we had not warmed up enough. He proceeded to climb on the pool table and take us through a proper warm up. It felt very normal Frances and I without hesitation followed every command. At the end of the warm up he looked at us and said.

“Someday I am going to be a master”

Unlike the times he has told us I would like to be a painter, heart Dr. Exterminator.
He used “I am going to be” instead of “I would like to be”.
Frances and said great but never really talked about it until later that night.

Oliver who is four and a half is the true motivation.

I am sure the three of us will all take different paths on the journey. I look forward to looking back at this past week as a landmark.

First attempt failed!

2009-02-17T13:15:00.002-07:00

Why I have started to blog and what it means to me. I have major issues with expressing myself in a clear decisive way.

I have issues with follow through. By blogging I hope to self reflect through my blog to help with that challenge.

Example I have only been successful losing weight and getting in shape when I Journal.

This is the same idea.

I did not explain myself correctly when I tried to involve France in my new concept.(See yet another example of the poor communicator I am).

So I will try once more in a diffrent way. I love you Frances. Now thats a foot print :)

A fork in the road.....................

2009-02-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

Here we go a new challenge for me. I have been inspired to become a better communicator and leave a foot print of my life in cyber space.
I have always been a confusing communicator, I hope this helps.
This also seems like a great tool for self reflection. How do you know were you are going if you can not explain where you have been.

I have made a few incredible changes to my life in the last four or five months. I am sure I will bring light to these soon. My son Oliver has inspired me to re kindle a passion for the martial arts again. Instead of reading and watching movies I am hoping to get back to training. Oliver is 4 and a half and amazes me everyday he has been enrolled in Kung Fu for six months now and loves it.

The biggest change is ongoing and it is the mending of a broken path. For three long years Frances and I have travelled up different forks in the road. We recently have merged those two journeys. It always has amazed me how much we accomplish is such short time. We have made stake in our future and made a purchase in Las Vegas. I look forward to many years of travel and enjoyment. Not to say we are out of the dark I think it will take a lifetime of work and I am up for the challenge.

“The secret of health for both mind and body is not to morn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.”

Buddha (Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)