Polishing the details

   Last week I wrote about the fence I am building and how the process reminded me a lot about Kung Fu. Now that it is almost complete ( some minor tweeks and touch ups left ), I can sit back and take stock as to my success ( or failure ) of the quality of job my Father-in-law and myself did. Here are my thoughts....

   Am I proud of the job I did? Did I not cut corners or take short cuts? Did I listen to and respect the advice given to me by someone with vast experience doing this type of work?  Did I do the best I could do?  Did I learn anything that I can grow from and possibly pass on to others?  Did I surpass what I perceived to be a limitation of skill and  knowledge on my part?

   Yes.

   I am really proud of the job we did. This is a fence that not only looks amazing but should last for a very long time. I thought about and checked/re-checked every detail. I adapted and changed as required, never getting frustrated when "plan A " didn't give the results I wanted. I learned quite a bit from Gerry ( my Father-in-Law ), and how he always looks 5 or 6 steps ahead without losing focus on what we where doing at the time. I feel the knowledge gained from this "build" is priceless. You can watch all the Youtube videos you want but to actually get out there and do it is a totally different story. Nothing beats "hands on" experience. You don't get "AHA!" moments sitting on the sidelines, and the feeling you get when those moments happen, simply awesome.


   So how does this relate to my Kung Fu? Well.....

   At Silent River, we are lucky enough to be SURROUNDED by many many instructors and Masters just itching to pass their knowledge on to us. My preconceived ideas about myself are my biggest road block. My limits that I have set for myself are imaginary. To go beyond what I feel is my best, I must watch and learn and listen from the best. Then I must apply these teachings. Only then will I surpass my limits, looking back at them and say "Adios mediocrity, hello Mastery ". Watching a form is totally different from doing a form, having a plan and implementing that plan are 2 very different things. Talking about an " eye for detail " and actually turning that eye upon yourself takes courage and commitment. Like my fence, it is time to get a lot more " hands on " with my Kung Fu.



   Less yak, more smack time......





Numbers

Sit ups   28576

Push ups   28583

Sparring   240

1609km   1464.98km

AOK   759

Hand form   211

Weapon form   290

Mend a relationship   Check

Journal 1x week   Check

Public appearances  3 (Farmers day, Canada day, Grain elevators)  Check

Miss no meetings   I have missed 2 but had just reason for both

Excel in curriculum   Reviewing regularly   Check 

Help with school projects   Getting ready for reno week   Check

Learn " Mastery "  Reviewing about 1x a week, getting there   Check

Personal Requierments

5 out of 7 moving along at a steady pace. 2 will start once summer fades away for the year.



In other words....... progressing nicely.