Inspiration meet Tonfa

Inspiration
 
1. The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
2.  A sudden brilliant, creative, or timely idea.
3.  A person or thing that inspires
 

   How many people in your life do you draw inspiration from? Is it your parents, friends, co-workers, spouse, children, relatives, iconic figures, instructors ( Sifus and classmates ), maybe even your dog? I myself am starting to find inspiration almost everywhere. The reason, I am actively looking for it. 

   I have hit a wall on my weapon form and have been watching others work on theirs. In doing this, I am seeing some truly talented people create and refine their techniques and form. I think "Why can't I do this/that?". I am not jealous, I am not envious, I am just frustrated and disappointed with my own lack of focus and progress. The Nun-chuck form I worked on last year was a school form - someone else's idea and creation - and I really liked it. After learning it, practicing it then making it my own, it made me feel a lot more confident in "playing" with the weapon and form. I am not getting that with the Tonfas yet and it has made me nervous. My mind is full of ideas, but I am having a heck of a time getting my body to make it a reality. I have found 3 different videos of this weapon form that I really like. Thing is, this is someone else's idea, I feel like I am cheating by "copying" their forms.

   I had never realized just how difficult creating my own form would be, I guess that is the point of what we do. It is not supposed to be easy, right ( Kung Fu = Hard Work )?  I need to take the external inspirations I am seeing and turn them into an internal creation that can't be contained. I need to start with the old adage, K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Stupid. I need to make a short form then expand on it. I need it to be simple enough that I can repeat it but still incorporate enough techniques that I am proud to say "MINE!". Then I need to make it fun.

Time to Tonfa