Graduation

I wonder if there's something the Ten Tigers should do at graduation? Not that it's a wise question for me to ask, since I don't do performance well (and I think at least one of my teammates feels the same). Still, there may be some potential there ... Any ideas?

"Mommy died."

Those are the words first said to me as I walked into my uncle's house last night.  "I know." was my response.  During the last class I taught last night, my wife answered the phone and took a message for me to call my dad.  After classes were over I called and got the message that my cousin had died of a gunshot wound.  We don't know the whole story on how or why, but that is all irrelevant compared to the simple fact that a young woman was alive one morning, and not the next.  

As I type this I'm still dealing with the mix of emotions.  I looked at my own daughter and had a flash of imagining what it would mean to lose her.  I looked again and imagined what it would be like for her to lose her mother.

My wife and I drove out to my uncle's house.  I knew there was not anything we could do, but I felt that it might help if I could be there.  My uncle was still able to joke between crying.  My aunt was more obviously shaken.  Their friends were there, their pastor was there, they had support.  They will make it through, they will carry on.  It will be hard, but nobody ever promised us life was going to be easy.

This is a reminder to me that every, every life should be cherished and respected.  There are some who have no love for others because their skin is too dark, or too light.  There are some who can't seem to love someone because they are too religious or not religious enough.  There are those of us who just can't seem to get over the differences between us and others.  All of us at one time or another, find some person that for some reason we just can't like.

My father said to me once when I was young and very angry with my sister, "God doesn't tell you that you have to like your sister."  I was shocked.  Then he said, "But you do have to love her."

I challenge you my ten tigers teammates, and anyone else who finds these words.  Find that person that for some reason irritates you.  Whether you have good reasons to dislike them, no reasons to dislike them, or some reason that you just haven't figured out, find a way to love them.  Because that person you work with, or train with, or commute with, should be cherished and respected.  That person is someone's mommy or daddy, son or daughter, brother or sister, and someday they will die and they will be missed.  

What Spreadsheets Reveal

When the program began, I never thought I'd get behind. Daily pushups/situps – pish, I already did them. Walking some each day – no worries. Read a good book or two – even better. Journal regularly – absolutely already a habit ...

Turns out, I was fitting things in as it suited me, as I had time, and telling myself how structured I was. When it's in a spreadsheet, and I have to make a notation for each item ... those zeros are surprising. What? I didn't walk anywhere for a week? Read? I want to read my fantasy novels. Write? I can't think of anything to say.

So each little thing turns out to be a struggle. A day goes by so quickly. Mine aren't as full as others' are, and I begin to see where I could be more focused. I'm having a hard time fitting in the ordinary practice I'd like to do on the current forms, such as spear vs. sword. I'm behind in stances. I'm behind in miles walked. I'm two Gung Gees short of a full load...

No Tiger Left Behind

Feb. 28th our group workout will be a "no tiger left behind" day.  I would like to know, as it stands at this moment, what everyone is behind on.  Some of you may be completely up to date.  I for one am behind on bag rounds.

Struggles

The hardest part of this for me so far, is on some days all the other demands in my life seem to outweigh my ten tigers work.  On those days I keep putting off my training, putting off the stances and the pushups and the forms until the end of the day.  Then I get overwhelmed with the idea of trying to play catch up that night, or the next day.  It seems to go best for me when I make time early to get a lot of the requirements done.

Last night I still had a lot to do and was feeling discouraged.  I decided that discouraged or not, I was going to get up and do what I could.  Once I got going, I realized how little time it actually took for me to get done.  I just hope I can remember that the next time I'm struggling.

Now, I want to hear from everyone else.  What has been the hardest part for you so far?

elbows

Why use fists when you can use the sharp pointy things that they're connected to?
Also i have been trying to use my elbows a lot more because they are very good against aggressive fighters. So watch out :)

I am so pumped up for this red sash test

Do you think that we'll get the same people for this test. and can we grapple in a test? Because i think that Eli does. Do you? Do:) That was supposed to be a caver or not how do you do them Steven? :) ;) x) :P :o those are fun