Demo Perspective

Today was bitter sweet.  Firstly it was the first day back in the Kwoon since my work departure weeks ago.  It was a chance to see the blood sweat and tears that have went into the demo for Canada Day.

As always, when you have been part of something from the beginning, and have repeated it many times, it is difficult to step back and see the progress you are making. There are few advantages to being on the outside of an event like this one, but one thing it does afford me is a clear perspective on the product that has been developed in my absence..

Watching this demo I equated to the motivational boost of the black belt ceremony.  It was inspirational to see how far each person, and the team had come since I had left.  To everyone involved it was AWESOME!  It was affirmation to me why this group of people are the ones I choose to be around.  Watching the demo makes me proud and extremely honored that I can be a part of this.

This could not have come at a better time, as currently I have been struggling with the transition of being away.  To those of you at the Kwoon today that I had a chance to speak with, thank you for your words of kindness, motivation and support, they are much appreciated, as are your comments and blog postings which I have resorted to following regularly.

To everyone in the Demo on Monday, we will see you there. I can’t wait to experience it, and offer any support I can!  Good Luck!  

vincekrebs.blogspot.com

Who is captain of this sinking ship?

Good morning! There is a seven course breakfast awaiting you.  Your feet are cold?  Well here are some extra fuzzy slippers. You don’t need to go to work today. I have paid all the bills for the month.  Here is your fishing rod. Your chauffeur awaits in the limo outside to take you to any trout stream you wish.

I step out onto the porch but something is dreadfully wrong.  It’s dark out, and snowy and cold. BAAAAAAM! Frozen steel toe work boot kicks me in the backside and knocks me off of the slippery porch, bounce off the frozen oak tree and land in a patch of prickly rose bushes.  Yup, it’s June again and this is the transition I knew was coming.  No more face time in class, no chance of taking in practice and demo’s, no more meeting team mates to knock off a personal goal.   

So here I lie on my back, goose egg on my forehead, prickles stuck in my neck, snowy cold ground surprisingly comforting on my bruised backside.  How long do I lie here and sulk. If I stay too long I am likely to doze off and become a permanent popsicle.   

Once again chopped from the nurture of the Kwoon and the team. It is really easy to forget how to become self-sufficient.  I have been laying here in the cold snow for long enough, it’s time to change. 

vincekrebs.blogspot.com

Maintenance is not Mastery

I am one of the first people to say if you don’t like your circumstances, than change them.  Heaven knows I hear my share of complaining from unsatisfied people in their choice of career.  But after a short stint out to Saskatchewan, I am finding that commitments are causing an increasing unrest.  As the time jar is starting to fill with work commitments, other items are spilling out onto the table in disarray. 

The big concern is moving into “Maintenance Mode” as Sifu described.  At this point in time maintenance mode is not good enough.  I really feel like I have to be moving forward in my Kung Fu, I am just not sure of the approach to take. Missing on a board break this past demo was a harsh reinforcement that maintenance is not mastery.

vincekrebs.blogspot.com