Sifu Stoddart: Sept 15, 12

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Sept 15, 12

We sparred in the black belt class last night. I was excited by the change in not only my attitude, but also the way I approach my opponent and the way I spar. Months ago, I didn't like sparring at all because it terrified me. I had lost all my confidence and I usually got the snot beat out of me. When I sparred, my thoughts were controlled with thinking about staying alive and not getting hurt. I always felt panicked and it was all about finishing the match in one piece. If I did get hurt, I would automatically get angry. Sparring was never a good experience for me.

Last night. . . . . .was very different. Although I got a bit panicky the odd time, I recognized it and controlled it. My thinking in all my matches was about learning. I constantly tried to remember to keep guards up, look for an opening, create openings, and be confident. When I got hit, I didn't get angry or afraid, but instead quickly analyzed why I got hit and what could I do next time to lessen the chance of getting hit. I didn't shy away from my opponent, but I welcomed them as a pathway to improving my sparring skills. This gives me a whole new experience with my sparring.

I am grateful for the people who help me make this happen. Sifu Lindstrom has been coaching me along and it has helped me a lot! Last night Sifu Weibe was a great help as we learned together. I still tend to shy away from people who go really hard and especially those with long legs. Most people though do not go all out as they know I am trying to improve and rid my fears of sparring. Maybe they haven't changed, and it is just the way I look at sparring that has changed and made it easier for me. I'm not sure, but probably a combination of the two. I do enjoy sparring with Sihing Chessal. He has control and I don't fear him. Removing the fear factor, gives me lots of opportunities to try and learn ways to get in on him, even with those long legs of his. Wow! I never thought I would see this day come, but it has. And I am grateful.

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My 20 Wishes. . .I want to do:
1. Vacation in a cabin in the mountains.
2. Fall in love.
3. Travel somewhere exotic.
4. Buy a motorcycle.
5. Write my life story.
6. Take my kids and grandkids to Disneyland.
7. See my dad again and have him meet my kids, and grandkids,
8. Hike the West Coast Trail. (done)
9. Buy my own home.
10. Climb a Via Ferrata. (done)
11. Have corrective eye surgery.
12. Find a reason to trust. (Done)
13. Perform with chi.
14. Go caving.(done)
15. Learn to play piano again.
16. Go Skinny Dipping. (done)
17. Take swimming lessons.
18. Take a wood working class.
19. Take Ballroom dance lessons.
20. Straighten my front teeth.

My 20 Wishes. . .I want to be:
1. Conscious
2. Loyal
3. Faithful
4. Good parent
5. Respectful
6. Talented martial artist
7. Healthy
8. Physically fit
9. Reliable
10. Trustworthy
11. A good grandparent
12. Awakened
13. Honest
14. Independent
15. Strong of character
16. Confident
17. A leader
18. Uplifting to others
19. Full of a positive countenance
20. Free from suffering

I love adventures, and experiencing new things for the first time. Never has this been more true than in the experiences I get from kung fu. Earning a black belt seemed to be all about me. I sacrificed, worked real hard, disciplined myself, and grew to new heights I never thought possible. I watched my life change before my very eyes. Not just small changes, but big ones that even I noticed.

Being a black belt seems to be more about others. I help others to meet their potential through their own sacrifice, and determination. As I do this, I find great fulfillment watching others change the shape of their lives, and find their own sense of peace. Black belts are just ordinary people, but doing extraordinary things, at an extraordinary level. Through this realization, we start to evolve from black belts to true martial artists, with a passion for the art that we strive to pass on to others. We continue on our path of progression, but it is through our sacrifice towards others that changes occur.

I have a huge testimony of what we do at Silent River Kung Fu. I rejoice every time I teach a class, especially the beginners, and my heart swells when I see the future of kung fu in the excited eyes of the students. By helping these students find a new way to look at life, we help them become better individuals, through their own realization of self worth. This in turn builds stronger communities, and a much more positive world to live in. When we fully understand that, we start to look outside of the kung fu box, and begin to see that vision of what we are really doing as we teach kung fu. Instead of just seeing the techniques and the forms, the mistakes people do and the improvements people need to make, we start to finally see...the people.

Students come to Silent River Kung Fu because they have this idea that learning martial arts is fun. They keep coming back because it is fun. What most students don't even realise, is that they also keep coming back because here they feel respected, cared about, and they receive a sense of belonging. What is the first thing we do when we taste something really good? We try to get someone else to taste it by saying, "wow! You've got to try this." It is important to give all students, whether they are new or not, that experience that will make them say, "you've got to try this." Every student that walks through the front door should feel like they are a part of our kung fu family. We can do that by seeing...the people. Watching with an eye for detail, to see their needs, their emotions, their strengths, and their apprehensions. Only by doing that can we really begin to teach, and help shape the lives of others. From my own experience, I believe this to be the only way to progress to that next level as a martial artist. I believe it, I have experienced it, I trust it.