Running to stand still....

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

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

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

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.

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.

B

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

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