Luck

   So my family and I took a little break from it all for a week and went on a trip. We had a great time, met some really interesting people, spent time with friends and overall made the most of what little time we had there.
   One of the people we met up with was Sifu Lacie Cosgrove and her daughter Irelynd for a fun little dinner at La Postal in Bucerias for some wood fired freshly made pizza ( yum ). Its was great to see her interact with the "locals", knowing their names and a little ( or a lot ) about who they are and a little of their past. It was nice to see that "connection" she shared with her surroundings, not just being "there" but being a part of what makes that place unique. Hearing about her involvement with her community and other local family's set me wondering about my involvement with my surroundings. I know that these are 2 very different cultures that I am talking about but people are still people right. Mexican or Canadian, we still desire the same basic things, only as Canadians, we take SO much for granted. Water, food, education, basic personal freedoms, health care, reliable government and police force, the list goes on and on. I need to think about how I can affect my surrounding in a positive way, contribute not consume, enrich not deplete. I have some growing to do here, thank your for reading this.


   My second thought of this blog is the Black Belt Grading this weekend. I myself do not believe in wishing someone "luck". To me this means I think they have little chance of success and only luck will allow them to succeed. Silent River's black belt candidates do not need luck, they have gotten to this point by a enormous amount of work and dedication to this art. Their skills are not a question but a fact. Watching them prepare is awe inspiring and very motivating personally.
   So candidates, from me to you, you got this, kick this gradings butt.


   I haven't updated my numbers in a while, my fault so here they are...

Sit ups   45346
Push ups   46008
Sparring 365
Hand Form   415
Weapon Form   515

Looks like I have some serious work to do so ciao for now...

Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane.....

   Just a short blog before we head out the door, heading to Mexico for some family fun time. Going to try to do some numbers while on the beach ( ode to Sihng Choy ). Sad I am going to miss the seminar this Thursday. Disappointed I can't help out with the shoveling. But... extremely excited to head somewhere new with my family.


¡Hasta luego!

Black Belt?

   What kind of black belt will you be?

   In yesterdays IHC meeting, Master Brinker said something like, " not all people who have a black belt are actual black belts ", or something along those lines.

   Wow.

It continues to amaze me the levels of conscious thought and effort that are put into our training by the Masters of our school. Such an amazing and monumental amount of thought, effort, care, foresight, insight, etc...., we are very lucky students, in my opinion.

   To achieve that ultimate "goal" of a black belt. What does that mean to you? What does it mean to me? How far and deep in my life will I and can I dedicate myself to Kung Fu? Can I always uphold the standards and principles that our black belt code of ethics demand? Can I life a life of Mastery?

    I have to admit I had never really looked THAT far ahead or thought about the constant consequences of my choices. Do the demons of my past or the shadows of my future prevent me from rising above mediocrity? Am I hesitating to fully commit to Kung Fu for personal, moral, physical excuses?

   So many questions raised by 1 simple statement. Do I want A black belt or do I want to Be a black belt?

   This is one of the reasons I am in this school, constant self analysis and an unrelenting push away from the average towards the exceptional. I admit, I need some time to contemplate these questions. But they have been asked and I will find a way to answer.