Backflip

I just got back from a week trip to Alaska. It was awesome! I’ll be posting my journal entries as well as pictures in the upcoming days. Until then, this is a bit late in arriving but I wrote an article about my Gi Yu Dojo rank testing experience a few weeks ago and would like to post it. It can also be found here:

http://www.giyudojo.com/Articles.html

Recently I had the honor to test for the rank of San Kyu (Green Belt) at the Gi Yu Dojo. As a Mu Kyu (White Belt) I was looking to advance to a Green Belt as the next step in my training. I approached the challenge knowing I would learn new techniques, become more confident and gain more mental fortitude. I was surprised to find that on top of these skills I also learned about my character and how I interact with the world, something I desperately needed to see.

I vividly recall standing in front of Sensei Sukh and the Black Belts at the end of my testing. I was physically exhausted with sweat dripping off my face onto my already drenched gi. Mentally, I was aware and alive. It was as if nothing mattered more in the world than being present at that very moment in that very place. It was exhilarating. I had just passed through a trial by fire and was able to stand at the end. Having survived through the application of my training and experiences learned at the dojo.

The verdict was still out as to whether I passed or not and one by one Sensei Sukh called us White Belts forward to inform us of the collective decision of the teachers present. As I walked forward I was uncertain as to whether or not I passed. Before he let me know, Sensei Sukh gave me a blindingly accurate snapshot of my life and how I was living. He said that while I showed innate talent and ability for the martial arts, my lack of discipline and dedication was evident in my execution of the techniques. He called me a natural but at the same time showed his disappointment in the fact that I chose to not apply myself to gain my full potential. He went on to inform me that I did successfully gain the rank of San Kyu but the real victory that day was a glimpse of myself that I had not seen before.

When I first started training Sensei Sukh told a story from his past. I shall attempt to summarize it. There were two boxers who trained at the same school. One was a naturally gifted boxer, he had the moves and techniques without practicing or giving them much thought. He was made for boxing and he knew it. The other was very poor at boxing, but what he lacked in skill he made up for in discipline and determination. As the story goes, the naturally gifted boxer would skip out on practice and not take boxing seriously since it came so easy to him. While the disciplined boxer spent every available minute training and striving to improve himself. Time passed and the boxers had a fight in the ring. The disciplined boxer emerged victorious and the moral of the story is sealed. No matter how gifted or talented we may be, without hard work and discipline that talent is wasted.

Now that I know I am the “gifted” slacker, I can see that pattern repeated through my past. I can see myself in college doing just enough to get by without actually applying myself and excelling. I was content with mediocre grades because it was easy and didn’t require much work. But I’ve found through my experience at the Gi Yu Dojo that many things in life are worth fighting for and worth mastering. It isn’t enough to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. That is the same as being a lukewarm drink, it’s boring and will be spit out. It’s much better to focus ones energy to become a master at disciplines that truly matter in life.

This stark analysis of my behavior has given me a new outlook on life. I now recognize where I am lacking discipline and choosing to drift by on skill alone. Now that I can see the problem I can take steps to correct it. I am working on strengthening my spirit and will power. To choose discipline and hard work over laziness and mediocrity. It won’t be easy and it won’t happen overnight. But each step in the right direction is one less step in the wrong direction.  And by choosing the right direction one step at a time, I will reach my goal.

Testing for San Kyu taught me a valuable lesson on how I am living my life. I am very grateful to have a Dojo and a Sensei that care about my personal well being with such sincerity. Who strive to show me a better way of living. And who are setting examples of how a true warrior should live in the way they conduct themselves. It is a lesson I will remember for the rest of my life.

A few weeks ago we were learning the Happo Kiri Gakure No Kata technique at my dojo. At the time we were learning Togakure Ryu (which is the school of the Hidden Door).

It was some pretty fun stuff.

A smaller video is also up on my Dojo’s Facebook site: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=144195759248&ref=ts

A lot has happened in the past month. As the title suggests I have joined a Dojo, bought an XBox 360 and installed a fin on my car.

Let’s start with the Dojo. It’s called the Gi Yu Dojo (http://www.giyudojo.com/index.html) and it is lead by Sandhu Sensei and has been a great experience for me. Not only do I get to learn sweet ninja moves (we study the Kobudo) but the ideals of the Dojo are on improving as a person and benefiting the community. Two activities that I greatly enjoy.

In the short month that I’ve studies there I have picked up one arching idea. It is to be aware. The word Zanshin describes it perfectly. Zanshin means maintaining a state of total awareness. Before you jump to conclusions let me first tell you I am terrible at this technique. The little time I’ve spent thinking about it has shown me how often I do not pay attention to what is going on around me. Whether it’s driving in the car, walking around the office, or just sitting in my home I am happily oblivious to events that are going on around me. So little by little I’m starting to pay attention to the world I live in, and it’s been very eye opening (get it?).

Not only am I realizing how much I miss by zoning out but I feel much more secure and competent since I know what is going on around me and can react in a proper manner. It’s a little thing, paying attention, but it can have vast benefits if taken seriously.

Onto the XBox 360. For those of you who do not know, it is Microsoft’s gaming console. It’s in direct competition with Nintendo and Sony’s offerings (such as the Wii and Play Station 3). The XBox decision was a long one one at which I did not arrive at easily. It was a tossup between buying a new gaming laptop, since my current one is 3 years old and can’t play my new games, or getting a dedicated gaming machine. After weighing the pros and cons, the prices, the expected benefits and bugging a bunch of my friends about their ideas I went with the XBox.

Having had the machine for a few weeks now I am still very happy with my purchase. It’s everything I expected and more. Games run flawlessly and the controller adds a new dimension to gaming that is more enjoyable (at the time) than a keyboard and mouse. Another tangible benefit is the XBox is a great party machine where multiple people can play at the same time in the same place. While my game selection is currently slim (LEGO Batman and Street Fighter 4), I plan on expanding it in the near future.

I plan on picking up Rock Band (3?) and I have my eye on a few other games that are good for groups. If you know me, you may be wondering how I play my XBox since I do not own a TV. This was factored into the decision and while a TV is necessary for most XBox players, I find the machine and games so intuitive that I don’t need one to play and enjoy it.

Heh heh. Ok, that was very untrue. What actually happened is that my roommate Dan picked up a TV from a friend at a great deal. I feel quite ridiculous talking about it since it’s quite a beast, 52″ HD rear projection screen behemoth that we stuck in the basement. It was way larger than the machine I was contemplating purchasing but I’m not complaining. We have no plans to get cable so the screen is being used for gaming and movies (which the XBox can play).

So far it’s working out great and it has completely changed the space in our basement, making it a great hangout place.

Boy, I sure write a bunch once I get goin.

Last topic, a fin for my car (Mazda 3). That’s right. I am the proud owner of an AquaCar – Cars that can navigate underwater. While that would be quite interesting I will say I have very little use for an AquaCar (if they exist) and my fin is much more practical. It acts as a radio antenna. It replaced my tail antenna on my car and looks quite spiffy. My dad and brother helped install it last night and it’s stayed on all day (even with the snow) so I hope it stays that way. I haven’t taken any pics yet but will try to post some once I do.

Besides that, life is just peachy. Can’t wait to see what the future has in store.