Second week bliss!


Coming to the end of my second week, I want to make sure to pencil this down, to remind myself in the near future of how I felt these last few days.

I'm exhilarated! I feel proud, courageous, strong, and inspired. I start noticing the flow of the rhythm in my new daily routine. My muscles are sore pretty much all the time and so tired and raw at the end of each day. But so far those sensations feel like a pat on my back, evidence of my achievements, and my first ever 1785 push-ups and 1800 sit-ups in less than 14 days. In my 43 years, I have not managed to do half as many as I did in the last 2 weeks, that I'm sure of. 

Another highlight of my week includes the appreciation of my daily walks. Admittedly I started my journey at a perfect time in sunny and mild, false spring-like conditions when everyone wants to enjoy the outdoors. It's been an easy sell to all my friends and family to spend time with me on one trail or another. I didn't go on a single walk on my own yet, meaning I not only logged kilometers but also plenty of good talks, quality time and sun hours. The best thing about my walks now is, that due to my new commitment, I feel like I have permission. I have often had the wish to just drop everything I'm doing and go, but my busy schedule would most often tell me, that I don't have enough minutes in my day. Now I'm talking back to my schedule, saying "too bad get used to it!";)

The next thing worth mentioning is the fact that I have for the first time attended 4 classes/training at the kwoon in one week. Between two regular classes, my first IHC class and open training, I feel more involved and connected to my Kung Fu than ever. The momentum gained through this makes it so much easier to braid my forms and kicks into my day and even makes me feel impatient for the next class to start. 

And my last blissful realization for this week is the effect my recent decision to join the IHC has on my family. While both my sons are showing interest and are willing to join me here and there on walks or training, my youngest son Paoul has been the greatest cheerleader for me and has blown me away with his switch in attitude about kung fu. My boys have never really felt the urge to practice kung fu outside of class. This week though Paoul has been seen countless times going over his forms, throwing random kicks, blogs and punches, and also jumping into action often when he saw me on the floor doing pushups and such joining in. There have been other changes as well in interest and behaviors that I'm stunned about.  (also check out Paouls artwork, he made me a gift drawing me with three opponents and my weapon of choice in the kwoon)

It's been a good week but now I feel the change in the air. This week is going to be hard to stay on track and follow my new routines, there are birthdays galore, a full 3 day Market weekend coming up, Jason coming home, the weather is changing and I'm back down to only two formal kung fu hours at the kwoon. I feel anxiety creeping in, wanting so badly to continue to feel the flow!

But I also sense that I have grown a little bit already, not just in muscles but also in mind,

Bring it on week 3, I can do this!



 

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