Techniques are back in check

I'm back!!

On Monday Kwang Jahng Nim Alison took the class. This is always a treat as KJN's classes are usually mentally difficult as well as physically challenging.

KJN Ali is not only stunningly beautiful, she is blessed with a photographic memory and so her techniques are spot on. This means that she will notice a mistake very quickly when she is testing us.

As I stated in a previous post I noticed my techniques haven't been up to scratch lately so I have really been paying attention to them and trebled my practice time going through every single technique I know.

This paid off ten fold on Monday night because KJN Ali gave us mini test on our techniques. I was thrilled with my performance, every technique was executed correctly and came to the forefront of my mind instantly. There was no lag at all!

I'm back! Now I know what I need to do to make sure the techniques stay in my mind. Go over them all more often. I took it for granted that I knew them all so I didn't put as much time into practicing them as I normally do and the result - they started to deteriorate.

Like I say to my own students - if you don't use it, you lose it.

Time to practice what I preach!

A way of thinking

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased room mate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'


Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'

I did it !!!

I've finally done it! I have achieved my target weight through diet and exercise. Mainly through diet lately since damaging my ankle I haven't been able to work out as much as I usually do. This proves I can do more than I think I can and I will reset my goal.

To date I have lost 1 stone (14lb) and now weigh in at 13st 7lb.

My new target is to get to 13 stone which I haven't weighed for over 10 years. Which means I will be sensible through the festive season and not over indulge.

Sometimes, eating and drinking too much over the Christmas and New Year period can leave you trying to lose the weight right up to April the following year - I don't want to spend 4 months losing weight for stuffing myself over a 2 week period!

I'm very proud of myself and I'm looking forward to seeing if I can ever hit the 13st target? I will speak to my GP about further weight loss as I am 6' 1" tall this shouldn't be a problem. I think my "Ideal" weight should be 12 stone 7lb but I think that would make me look very ill indeed.

Kuk Sool Won New Official Website

I recently went onto the World Kuk Sool Won Association official website and noticed it has had a huge facelift and looks a lot better than its predecessor.

Check it out at www.kuksoolwon.com

Grading on 21st November

Another excellent grading and one I am pleased is over. 8th Degree Master Sung Jin Suh took our grading at it was really enjoyable.



I wasn't sure how my ankle was going to hold up during the grading and Im pleased to say I did my best and I didn't sit out of any part of the testing.



It was a huge success and we all got a chance to have a sit down lecture from Master Sung Jin Suh the Grand Master's oldest son. He explained how we can improve our training, what to focus on for the next 12 months and how to be more professional in our approach.

8th Degree Executive Master

Sung Jin Suh

The whole grading was more like an instructor's workshop than a testing. I learned a lot and the future is looking very exciting.



I've only got 2 more major testings to complete before my promotion to 4th Degree Black Belt! And about another 20 years before I get anywhere near as good as Master Sung Jin Suh