Today was a very hot day, but I was able to meditate in the morning, and then spend an hour or so in the garden.  Today’s time in the garden was especially thought provoking for me.  I really appreciate the amount of food we have been able to grow as well as the variety of food. Read more »

When I started this Saturday morning workout, I had no idea that others would like to come in and do this with me.  I certainly appreciate and enjoy having them there.  Today there were 3 students that came in to work out with me; Eric, Aiden & Wills. Read more »

Beautiful Smile!

While this young lady of 15 was not the quickest to smile as many of the children at Tumaini, she certainly had a beautiful smile.  The story is one that I will never forget.  One evening I was helping the students study for testing the next day, Ejidiah was sitting there with just a very solemn look – no smile.  Many of the students wanted their picture taken – and I insisted that they smile big – telling them how beautiful it was.  It was not that they needed to be told that, but I was watching the one person who was not smiling, looking for a way to break through to her.

Soon it was her turn and several photo’s were taken without a smile.  Finally there was one and soon she came to sit beside me for a very beautiful smile.  After that encounter Ejidiah was one of the students I was closest too. She would search me out with a wave of the hand and a smile.  I will always remember her soft spoken style and the breakthrough we had that evening.

I have just returned from a trip to Kenya that for some reason I have not written here about.  I am just getting my feet under me from this trip.  Here is the point of this post.  After 2 weeks of virtually no physical activity I am really paying the price.  I worked out on Thursday and then again on Friday and did not have the stamina I had before I went on this hiatus.

Consistency is so important in our training.  In my weight training again I was much weaker than before.  If we want to stay strong we have to be consistent.  So I am back to a regular schedule of training.  On Friday with very little time with my training partners, Mary, Russell and Mark we used the one hour we had to go through all of our basics.  We did not do the kicking combination, or all of our under belt forms – though we did complete our testing form 3 times.  Good workout. Yes I am sore and looking forward to the Saturday morning workout.

While the week did not start off the best as far as physical workouts go, it ended up strong with many on our team making great progress.  I look back on how excited Oliver was with learning to block the axe kick and watching a couple of others get the step in defense for straight back and it makes me smile.

I am very proud of Mary, who after a bit of a stumble at the weeks beginning, really put it together by the end of the week.  strength, balance, forms, sparring – it just it good to see it coming together for her. Read more »

I had a major reaction to one of the shots I received for our trip to Kenya.  The pharmacist thought it was the typhoid one because that was a live vaccine.  So now for the 5th day I still am not feeling my best and there are still some welt like, itchy spots on my body.  I cannot wait for all of this to clear up.

Today we are going to make the jump ropes for the children of Tomainini.  After I sent the letter out to our school and community we have had a good show of support.  From a personal learning experience I must learn to put myself out there and not be afraid of asking for help.  I am not sure what it is that makes me hold back.

One example of help is the individuals who are stepping forward to work on the Trends Research project.  I appreciate the work others are doing and look forward to presenting this material to groups of parents and students.

It is Monday morning and I was not feeling very good.  Could it be the shots from Friday for the trip to Kenya?  Or it may be just pushing myself this week harder than I have in a long time and adding to that the heat, humidity and a longer than usual day on Saturday and Sunday.

I took the day off though from everything including weight training.  This week is my birthday week.  I will be 56 at the end of the week and each passing day I think about how my time is slipping away.  Especially do I think about this when I have a less than productive day.  It is so important to make each day the best it can be.  When I can effect the life of another or improve myself in some manner – then I have been my best for the day.

What am I concentrating on at this point?  Getting my health in good shape.  The knee that has been bothering me has nothing wrong with it that is real serious.   MRI will confirm that later this week.  My hip is going to be looked at again at the end of the week and I hope in the next few months to complete the repair there.  Then it will be only about strength, endurance, and skill.  That is what I will be working on this year.

This week was simply amazing for our physical workouts.  Everyone learned a little bit more about themselves if they chose to do so.  My knee was feeling better, and I am very happy to know that there is no major issues in the knee.  There may be a small tear, but the inflammation can be controlled.

I have opened myself to working very closely with some of our more advanced students.  When I say that I mean that they have been open to working with me.  In fact it has been a very real team effort.  Sharing / Teamwork is key to the advancement of every student, including myself.

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On Tuesday of this week, we had the red and brown belts in for the first time to work out with us.  For me I was as nervous as they were.  Not really knowing if they would like the kind of work that I would like to do.  It was going to be different than what they were used to with other instructors.

Yet I felt like they needed to see another approach.  When watching the test and even their workouts,  while they are strong and can get through some tough cardio type work, I do not see a love for what they are doing which translates into intensity.
So the question is how to build intensity?

Honestly I am not sure.  I believe that it has to come from within.  It has to be from a love for what they are doing.  It has to come from a desire to be their very best.  It has to be real in their minds.

Making it real!  What am I doing?  Who am I fighting?  What am I fighting?

Is this too deep for a young student?  I do not think so.  It is reaching deep into your own self and finding the things that you must stand up to.  It is finding the confidence to say, “This is my weakness and I will not fail to over come this and become a better person.”   It is not being afraid of others or what they think when I show my true self or express my feelings.

Intensity for what we are doing, passion for what we believe in, living life to the full while we have the strength to do so.  Finally helping others to do the same.

I know this seems to ramble.  I am still nervous about whether I can have an affect on any of my students.  Will I change their life or have a positive impact?  I believe in what I am doing and will continue to put it out there.  Who will find their own way because of what I am doing?  I am not sure.  I may not know for many years.  That is  OK as over the time I try – I am reminded of what i need to work on.  I am made a little bit stronger.  I am helped to become a better person.  Yes it is a full circle.

It is Sunday morning and this has been a great week of activity and some not so great stuff.  I had a very busy week at the beginning of the week and did not get any practice time in, less weight training and sticks.  By Thursday I was able to get a workout in and again on Friday.  Both of them were some of the best we have had.

Friday was a very special day.   Read more »