Beside you and Inside you

We are always looking for something, something to make our training better, our skills better, our careers better, our home life better and on and on.
Sometimes what we look for is resources. Hooking up with the right people, the right school, networking, researching the Internet, looking for different tools and counsel to help us along the way. How to do this better or how to make something in your life better.
There is an endless supply of opinions and methods  on "How tos".

Everything from "Abersicer...this will give you the abs you always wanted in 30 days!' to an "on line marriage counsellor...fall in love with her all over again!", or the "get rich .. one time only free seminar..hurry don't miss out!", etc etc,

Sometimes what we seek, is right under our noses. Sometimes our need to not miss out on the latest and the greatest clouds what is right in front of you. Sometimes what you think you no longer have is actually beside you.
Could it be the shine has worn off? The novelty is gone and what you really are missing is the discipline and commitment to work at something the old fashion way. Thoughtfulness, purpose, investing in something for the long run.
Practice something until it becomes second nature, not just until you lose interest.
This applies to your training , your spouse and children, your career, the people you deal with or chat with everyday.
Every encounter is a moment to practice focus and thoughtfulness and suddenly what you were so eagerly searching for was inside.


JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

OK, I 'm not big on sending out video links but this is another one of those clips that hits the mark. I honestly never heard of this guy before, some may find him rude, so maybe watch with out the little ones , but like, dislike or indifferent, I sure appreciate the point he is trying to make.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk

JC Masterson, Silent River Kug Fu, Alberta, Canada

A Shout Out!

I hope Sifu Joe Harrigan doesn't mind me making it public knowledge but I was in the gym this morning at the Tri-Liesure and his pictures were posted up on the wall so I thought I would throw him in the spotlight and do some bragging for him, as I know he is a humble guy.
Apparently he was in the Provincials this month for Power Lifting, his first competition, and if I read some of the numbers right, I think his dead lift was at 215kilograms.
That's amazing!
Congratulations Sifu Harrigan


J.C. Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Physio

I have had an unhappy hip for about six weeks. I have tried new shoes, slowed down on the running, etc, etc.Bottom line is , I don't know why it hurts.
So as frustrating as it is, better to investigate now than leave it for later and hope it goes a,way in the meantime , actually , I did the ...hope it goes away part already. I can tell I have waited too long to do something because it hurts even when I am lying in bed.
I have booked regular massage therapy and now I am going back to physiotherapy.
Physio helped me in the past with a bad shoulder injury and and a knee problem. I am sad to find out, however, the therapist I used to use has left the rehab center. I booked in with a new person and I can only hope they are as good as the last lady I was fortunate to find.
Physiotherapists are like mechanics. When you find a good one you want to hang onto them.

JC Masterson, Silent River, Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Drumheller

Last weekend we spent 4 days in Drumheller, as we do every year on our annual Dinosaur holiday.

I am surprised to find that I, personally, have not tired of it yet, even though we visit the same museum and attractions every time.

There is something about the bad lands that make you sit and stare in wonderment (in between slapping mosquitoes).

Each time I go, I get the chance to learn alittle bit more, thanks to my sons insatiable appetite for the science of paleontology.

Here's the part that always makes me stop and think, we humans, as a species, have only started on our journey of life in the bigger picture. There have been species that have survived on this earth for millions of years. There have been several extinction cycles, some larger than others. Some species become so specialized and dependant on one resource that they cause their own extinction.
They become a blip in the Earths time line.
Some species thrive, survive and evolve into magnificent creatures, even their fossilized remains make you stare in awe, and how could you doubt there is a God, when you witness some of these spectacular creations.

It is incredible to realize how old the Earth is , how young we are, how much this planet has changed and aged, we are arrogant to think we have the future of the planet in our hands,  we have nothing to do with it. we are in fact, along for the ride.
 So back to the human species, as much as we may damage the environment around us, there is no doubt in my mind the damage we create will be absorbed, this planet would heal and move on without us.


Hopefully we are not one of those species that causes their own extinction, a species that  comes and goes in a moments time.
 
JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Everyday I'm Shufflin

I've noticed a trend, maybe good maybe not so good.
I am a schedule ,to do list, structure freak, goal orientated person.
 I make lists in my head and on paper, of things I want to get done in a day, week, month and year.
The lists are always ridiculous and tiring and sometimes physically impossible.
I started getting sick of lists, its like I have to list the list. Cant live like that anymore.
Now, I noticed I am starting to just make it up as I go a little more.
Its starting to become a sport, a challenge if you will. I know whats coming up and then the challenge is to shuffle, coordinate and role with the punches.
Not sure if something is going to backfire or I forget something really important.
I am hoping to find a middle ground between being prepared and having strong spontaneous character to deal with surprises.
Kind of like tossing grenades!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada

Holy Warballs Batman!

The other white grain.

Well, not actually a grain, it is the seed of the plant.

Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is a plant that was cultivated in the ancient South American Andes. The Incas called it the “mother grain”.

The Quinoa was mixed with fat and rolled into balls. The Inca tribes would sustain their armies on this alone. Hence the name “War Balls”
When the Spanish came across, they soon recognized the link between the highly nutritious food supply and the endurance of the native tribes. And in good conquering fashion the Spanish forbade the cultivation and consumption of Quinoa shortly after.

For those of us looking for alternatives to meat as a protein source Quinoa is a great alternative. I purchase a cook book – Quinoa 365 and have had great success with the recipes. It takes a quarter of the time to make compared to rice, comes in a flour format for substitution in baking and tastes great hot or cold. A very versatile food that has become a staple in our household…and they(my boys) didn’t even notice!

JC Masterson, Silent River Kung Fu, Alberta, Canada