It Ain't Easy Being... Positive...

As I talked about in my last post, basically "what you think about, you bring about..."
So, let's just be Positive!  Right?  If only it were so easy.

Positive talk is harder than it seems, even when you are trying to pay attention, even when you are trying to provide examples. Like saying "Don't Panic" when "Just Relax" or "Stay Calm" would convey the same idea without the "Don't..."

Talking the Positive Talk with my words and Walking the Positive Walk with my actions is something I have to work on and pay attention to - daily.

"Fall down 7..."
Letting that strong and ever present invisible force of gravity pull you down is soooo easy.  And remember, an object at rest tends to stay at rest...

"Get up 8!"
You've got to get up anyway.  You've got to keep moving anyway. You've got to change the hardships into challenges and opportunities.

I choose to focus on the positive.  The negative, the dark, the sad, the bad, whatever you want to call it, happens well enough on its own.  I choose daily, hourly, by the minute, and sometimes by the second to look for and work for the positive.

I never think that it is easy for me or for anyone else, but I know for sure that it is worth it.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Don't Worry - You Won't Hit Him...

Yesterday's post "Don't Panic" reminded me ...

A long time ago, back when I was teaching in the aerobics space at the Y, I had a red belt adult female student who was going to do a running jump side kick and break a board that her husband was holding down at the other end of the room.

She hemmed and hawed and moved around a lot, but hadn't even begun to make any movement toward where her board and board holder were, so I finally asked "What's wrong?"

She leaned over and whispered that she was afraid that she was going to hit him.
I reassured her. "You'll be fine.  You won't hit him."
Her:  "But what if I do hit him?"
Me:  "You won't hit him!"
Her:  "I *really* don't want to hit him..."
Me:  "Go on!  You won't hit him!"
Her:   Sigh - "O.K."

She took off down the floor, leapt into air ... completely missed the board, and almost did NOT miss his face.  (Thank goodness he dove off to the side at the last possible moment!)

As she came walking back toward me, I was recalling our conversation - and it hit me...

She leaned over and whispered that she was afraid that she was going to hit him.
I reassured her. "You'll be fine.  You won't hit him."
Her reply?  "But what if I do hit him?"
Me:  "You won't hit him!"
Her:  "I *really* don't want to hit him..."
Me:  "Go on!  You won't hit him!"
Her:   Sigh - "O.K." 

I smacked myself mentally on the forehead - DUH!

After checking that her husband was o.k. and ready to hold the board again, I changed tactics.

Me: "Hey, no worries.  You are going to smash the board this time."
Her:  "What if I miss again?"
Me:  "You are going to go right through the board this time."
        "Trust me, you got it now.  You will break that board right through the middle"
        "You can do this!"
Her:  Sigh - "O.K."

And she did.

Think about what you want.  You can't NOT think about something...
So be careful what words you are running around in your brain.

Yesterday's post (Don't Panic) would have probably been better reworded as Just Relax...

It is harder than it seems to talk about what you want rather than what you don't, but you can do it, and it is clearly best to put your thoughts and energies into those things - the feelings, thoughts, actions, and results - you want!

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Don't Panic

http://tinyurl.com/jojru8e

 

 

Soke Dave McNeill wrote about a comment (beginning with "MOO" - just imagine my delight!) on my FaceBook post that announced yesterday's "Martial Arts and Martial Artists"  and he talked about the need for Martial Artists to have time in the process as a necessity as well... which I completely agree with, AND Aaron Piepmeier followed up about how his thoughts on the subject were becoming clearer and at some point in the future he would share them.

 

I encouraged Aaron to go ahead and post his thoughts, even if they weren't "fully formed," because essentially I hope that my thoughts and posts are always "works in progress" and not stagnant finalized concepts to be checked off and marked complete.

 

I realized as I was writing this (and the last several days blogs) that I always talk about one of the main components of being an "Artist" was the doing of that Art. In fact, I often gave the example of someone being a Writer because they write - not because anyone approves or publishes or even reads their works.  And, I even sometimes talked about how I had all these "books in my head" but since I never ever wrote them (or anything else of substance) down, they just stayed in my head, and therefore I could not call myself nor consider myself a Writer.

 

And then I got to thinking, hey look - I'm writing!  I'm actually doing it now!  Not my books, yet... but still, I am writing something now every day!

 

And I got to thinking about my particular form of writer's block, and realized that it was not about not having enough time - I mean I've successfully found a way to take time every day for the last (almost) 2 full months now - but more about the fear of actually setting something down.  And that brought me back to my comment to Aaron and why I think I'm o.k. (or at least more o.k.) with at least this current form of writing these days. 

 

I'm not writing FOR anyone in particular - other than myself.  I am kind of doing a daily "brain dump" of things I've thought a lot about and/or things I'm thinking about or going through now - the very day I write the post.  Also, the tool of MOO = My Opinion Only, has given me a freedom to express those thoughts and ideas without painting myself into a corner.  This is my opinion/thought/idea/concept and it could change with more information, experience, and even just the passage of time. 

 

It is a journey I'm taking right now and I'm sending "post" cards along the way.

 

And on the days when I think "What the hell am I going to write about today?" I've just ended up taking a breath and following a version of the advice on the picture above:

"Don't Panic - Keep Calm and JUST START Writing..."

 

So far so good it seems.

 

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

Martial Arts and Martial Artists...

So after my post yesterday about Art, Aaron and I had this exchange:

Aaron Piepmeier Nice post. This is something I've been trying to wrap my head around lately. Would you mind expanding a bit on one section? You mention that with painting, writing, etc. the "medium" doesn't matter. What about with martial arts? Do you consider there to be a requirement of "medium" to be considered a martial artist? For example, if I practice American boxing (i.e. "Boxing) vs. Chinese boxing (i.e. "Wing chun")?

Like · Reply · 22 hrs

Katherine Wieczerza I think more than the what...Is the why...

Like · Reply · 21 hrs

Katherine Wieczerza There are definitely american boxers that are artists... And because of the fighting component, definitely martial.

Like · Reply · 21 hrs · Edited

Katherine Wieczerza And there are definitely people who participate in martial arts that are NOT martial artists... In my opinion only... You know what I mean?

Like · Reply · 21 hrs

Aaron Piepmeier Thanks for your opinion. I appreciate it. I'm really enjoying delving into thought about what constitutes a "martial art". I'm beginning to feel as though there are no martial arts; just martial artists. I'm not 100% sold on this, but it's becoming a harder question than I thought.

Like · Reply · 19 hrs

Katherine Wieczerza So.... I think that things can be classified as martial arts or not... Just like people can be martial artists or NOT

Aaron Piepmeier has been studying martial arts since beginning TKD in 1995/96. He is a TKD 4th Dan and was head instructor of his own school from 2001-2007. He has various levels of training in other fighting modalities including stage combat (unarmed, rapier/dagger, quarter staff, broad sword), Goju-Shorei Weapons, and Aikido. He also holds a PhD in Sport & Exercise Psychology.

Aaron is an amazing Martial Artist, Friend, Father, Husband, Gentleman... you name it...

I asked his permission to continue this discussion as my post for today.

Martial Arts and Martial Artists...

I think that you can categorize an activity as a Martial Art or not a Martial Art. 

How?  

Well, to me  

#1 - It must have a fighting/combative/martial component and 

#2 - It must meet the definition of an Art.

Remember, my current favorite definition of an Art?  

"An Art is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination" - and as I think about it more, I'd probably add "for the betterment of the individual over time."

It would certainly be possible for an activity to fulfill neither requirement, or for it to meet requirement #1 without providing the opportunity for its participants to meet requirement #2, and visa versa.

Only by having a fighting/martial component AND inherently providing the individual a vehicle for the expression or application of their creative skill and imagination (for the betterment of that individual over time) would it meet my criteria to be categorized as a Martial Art.

I also think that it is fair to categorize someone as a Martial Artist or not a Martial Artist, by 

#1 - Their participation in a fighting/combative/martial activity and 

#2 - Their expression or application of their creative skill and imagination for the betterment of that individual over time.

Obviously, I could see how someone participating in a "Martial Art" could become a Martial Artist, but I can also see how someone participating in a "Martial Art" might not become a Martial Artist.  Finally, I can imagine a case where someone could participate in a "Martial" activity and transcend the activity itself to use it to become a Martial Artist...

Remember, this is My Opinion Only...    

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

Art

My (current) favorite definition of Art is...

1. "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination."

For me this is where the true value of martial arts lie... in the Art.  Sport  has been an important and valued part of my martial arts journey, but it has only been a part of it.

Tae Kwon Do - using the physical (hands and feet = body) 

                           to affect the 

                           non-physical (the way = beliefs, emotions, & thought process)

I often joke that the real Do (doh) happens only when you are "do"ing it, but the great news is that with an art, that really is the only limitation.

I am a painter (an artist) so long as I'm painting, and it is an "expression or application of human creative skill and imagination."  It really doesn't matter the medium or the materials, or even if you like it or not.

I am a writer (an artist) so long as I'm writing, and it is an "expression or application of human creative skill and imagination."  Again - it really doesn't matter about the subject, or the genre, or whether or not it receives critical acclaim.  

I am a martial artist so long as I'm participating and it is an "expression or application of human creative skill and imagination." Here, it does not require a certain skill level nor does it have to meet anyone else's approval actually either...  

The main criteria is that I must be an active participant - regardless of age (on either end of the spectrum) or ability.

There is a bumper sticker "The Earth without art is just...  Eh"

Life without Art is too.

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

1. 
   

1. 
   

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A Movement of Power

I am fond of saying that a movement of power often starts with a movement in the opposite direction.

The chambering of a technique is the perfect example of this concept.

So is drawing the arrow back before letting it loose to shoot forward.

It is good to remind myself of this on days like today, when it is sunny and beautiful outside, but cloudy and overcast in my heart and mind.

It is good to remind myself of this on days like today, when I am missing my mom so bad it hurts to breathe. (Most days are not like this, but she loved Easter, and chocolate, and flowers, and her birthday is coming up... )

It is good to remind myself of this on days like today, when I am feeling overwhelmed and generally under-prepared.

It is good to remind myself of this on days like today, when I've not accomplished much of anything on my "to do" list...

Oh well.

A movement of power often starts with a movement in the opposite direction...

Maybe tomorrow I will shoot forward.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Questions need to be a part of Tradition

Anyone who knows me at all, knows how much I love forms/patterns and so many other aspects of "traditional" martial arts. (I love non-traditional ones too, but that's another post.)

One of the things I worry about in traditional martial arts is the unquestioning acceptance of ideas or activities because they are part of the tradition.

Various versions of the following story have been floating around our culture for close to 75 years...
This version is one of my favorites...

=====================

A young girl was watching her mom bake a ham for the family Easter dinner and noticed her mom cutting off the ends before placing it in the oven.

“Mom, why do you cut the ends off before baking the ham?” she asked.

“Hmmm…I think it helps soak up the juices while it’s baking.  I’m actually not sure, though. That’s just the way your grandma always did it, so I’ve just always cut them off. Why don’t you ask Grandma?”

So, the little girl went into the living room and asked. “Grandma, Mom is making a ham and cut off the ends before placing it in the oven. She said that it’s probably to help soak up the juices but wasn’t sure, but that you’d know because she learned how to cook from you.”

“That’s true. I do cut off the ends of the ham before baking.   I just never had a pan big enough to hold a whole ham, so I always had to cut off the ends to make it fit.”

=====================

Following a tradition JUST because it is a tradition is not in anyone's best interest.  
Ask.
Learn why.
Understand it.
Stay engaged and be an active participant in your education - not simply a passive container.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

The Rock

What makes a martial art a "traditional" martial art?

Here is the way I explained it to a student once - and remember that this is My Opinion Only (MOO)...

The Rock

Let's pretend you come into class and the instructor hands you a good sized rock and tells you that you need to keep it with you or around you at all times.  The instructor may tell you nothing else about it or what to do with it - in fact you might not even use it during a class.

You wonder about the purpose of the rock and figure out that it can obviously be used as a self defense weapon (one of the first in fact), that you could build some muscle using it as a weight, and that by keeping up with it you are working on responsibility. You also over time that it makes a good paperweight, a doorstop, and a will keep the trailer from rolling while you unload the mats for the tournament. One night you are sitting around with the kids and decorate it.  Another time, you are all by your self and feeling a little lonely so you paint some eyes on your rock and suddenly you have your very own captive audience.

In fact, the longer you have that rock, the more uses you are able to see for it both in and out of class.

Traditional martial arts are like that.  The reason and meaning behind all the things you do are often not immediately apparent like they might be in more "modern" martial arts whose main criteria is street self defense applicability and practicality.

Most "traditional" martial arts have forms/patterns as part of the curriculum.  Forms study and practice has so much to offer (check out Master Andrew Trento's most recent post www.beingthecandle.blogspot.com) but it isn't an instant reward.

Everything gets better with time and repetition - I get that.  What I'm talking about here is unexpected and unseen value that comes later from something you first learned a long time ago.

"It's a downblock."  I say that all the time.  It was one of - if not the first - martial arts technique I ever learned and STILL 36 years later I'm finding new ways to apply the movements and the concepts...

Traditional martial arts - the things you learn are the gifts that keep on giving...

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Tae Kwon Do - Sport vs Art

Sport Tae Kwon Do is about competition.  
A simple definition of competition is the act or process of trying to get or win something.

I personally like competition and I've participated in more tournaments than I can remember.  I've competed, coached, officiated, handled staging, registration, been a spectator, and been the person responsible for putting on the tournament.  

In Sport Tae Kwon Do the competitors are called players.  It is a game. I like playing games - usually.

When don't I like Sport Tae Kwon Do? 
I don't like it when the attitude is win at all costs - whether that attitude is from the athlete, coach, or family members. But I really don't like it when people act like Sport Tae Kwon Do is the same as the martial art of Tae Kwon Do.

The Art of Tae Kwon Do is a bigger thing that the Sport. An Art has fewer limitations, constraints, and rules.

If you want to compete, there are a whole set of qualifications you must meet.  And what is the goal? Win!

If you want to practice the Art, you just have to do it - age, abilities, and others' opinions matter not. And what is the goal? Self Improvement (in some form/fashion)...

Sport can be contained within the Art as the Art is the bigger "construct."

I guarantee you that whatever medal or trophy you "win" at a competition costs a tiny fraction of the amount you paid to participate, and conversely, you come away from an Art with experiences that are worth more than any fee you might pay to learn.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

"Money"

"Money" is what I've named a competition technique that is particularly effective against a front leg side kick used defensively.

It is a great technique that I've used (and shared with many, many students who have used it) effectively over the years.

It works like this...

Throw a back leg round house.  If you notice that the defender is using a front leg side kick for defense, essentially short cutting your kick, start to throw the back leg round house again and this time abort the kick after the initial movement by stepping back down off to the outside (45 degrees-ish) with that leg still behind you and IMMEDIATELY throw the round house again.  

What you have just done is:
- trigger a known response in the defender and gotten them to commit
- changed your angle of attack while they are throwing their side kick against something not there anymore
- and put yourself at a new angle so that as their side kick misses completely AND you are already in the process of kicking them!

MONEY in the bank!

What is interesting about this technique is that I learned it by having it done against me... by a National Champion, at the USTU Nationals in the last 10 seconds of the last round... securing her victory in that match.

Some post in the future maybe I'll fill in the back story of why this was so devastating to me at the time, but for now suffice it to say that while I lost that day, I later recovered my composure and went on to use (and to teach others to use) that technique to score many, many more points!

I'd estimate conservatively that I've used (or my students have used) "Money" to score 200+ points since that 1 was scored on me.  Pretty sweet rate of return, no?

I'm doubtful that I'd have spent so much time dissecting and learning about this move had it not been used so effectively against me.  This is just one of the simplest versions of what I meant in the post yesterday, and why I liked so much that saying "I don't lose.  I win or I learn."

In truth, I hope "I learn" no matter what the outcome of the match is with regards to points.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Sport Tae Kwon Do

So for me, MOO (My Opinion Only), this is where competition has value in martial arts.

Sport TKD is most beneficial, and when I *love* it the most, when it is used as a tool to grow the person.  This is true for whatever part you play in the competition:  athlete, coach, official, spectator, volunteer...

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

One Word

I found the book One Word that will change your life, in an airport earlier this year... and right away it made me think of Master Trento.  His theme for 2016 is a single word - Movement.  How awesome it was to share that book with him this weekend while he was here for the 2016 Southeastern AAU TKD District Qualifier!

My post for Friday had been on Courtesy, and as we worked the tournament on Saturday (happily in the same ring) we found the power of that word present itself for re-inspection in multiple situations.

Seems likely that I'll be coming back to this "one word" concept again in future posts.

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

Oh, and if you aren't already familiar with Master Trento (or even if you are) check out his blog at beingthecandle.blogspot.com

Fitbit

It is kind of hard to tell with the picture being so dark, but that is a new Fitbit HR (thank you for such an excellent suggestion Master Skip Ewing!) on my left wrist and today's stats on my phone.

The Fitbit arrived yesterday afternoon, just in time to get it charged up so that I was able to wear it all day today at the 2016 Southeastern AAU Tae Kwon Do District Qualifier!

I had a great day and it was nice to be in official's mode again. Getting to work with such an amazing group of officials and martial artists is truly a gift.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Courtesy

Courtesy ... It really is about opening doors.

The 5 tenets of TKD:  Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit
Courtesy is not JUST a nice thing to do.  Nor is it something JUST to do for some people.

Courtesy represents the small kindnesses that convey respect for others, lift their spirits, build their self-esteem, and make a heart lighter.

It has obvious benefits for the receiver, but hopefully we remember how the giver's sense of self and well being is often improved in the process also...

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Integrity

The 5 tenets of TKD:  Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit

Integrity...

I love this diagram.

I also like using the definition of "Integrity is the state of being whole and undivided."

Put them together...

Integrity is the state of being where your words, beliefs, and actions overlap and merge.

Beautiful!!!

And helpful in realizing that while it may be difficult to stay in this state, it is truly an important and worthwhile endeavor.

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

Self-Control

Recap...
The 5 tenets of TKD:  Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit

And...
Yesterday's post was about Perseverance, and the one before that about Indomitable Spirit.

Today...
The topic is Self-Control, which is definitely needed as I can easily end up spinning around on the emotional end of things when I'm in the midst of all the Indomitable Spirit and Perseverance drama.  

Don't get me wrong...  
I believe it is important have passion and energy as a part of anything that matters, but at some point it becomes necessary for me to just settle down, and get to work. It comes down to doing what I know needs to be done and making myself actually do it - or NOT do it - as the case may be.

I can totally be all like "YOU will NOT stop/beat me!" - regardless of what the YOU is...
(Indomitable Spirit)

And I'm also pretty good at rallying the forces against even my greatest critic - usually myself - with the "I will NOT give up!"
(Perseverance)

But it is the actual and intentional act of doing (or not doing) that for me exemplifies Self-Control, and it is these intentional actions rather than knee jerk reactions that move me further along my desired path.
(Self-Control)

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Perseverance

Perseverance - another of the 5 tenets of TKD...

The 5 tenets are:  Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit

I went with Indomitable Spirit first, because it has honestly been such a big part of my life. 

Perseverance next because of how similar it is ... in the sense of not giving up.

But to me, Perseverance is about not giving up on yourself - in spite of yourself.
It is about not giving in to the internal concerns, issues, and fears.

Perseverance - keep going.

I CAN do it, and you CAN too.

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Indomitable Spirit

Indomitable Spirit - one of the 5 tenets of TKD

Before I knew what Indomitable Spirit was - before I knew what Tae Kwon Do was - I knew about this.

You can't let people beat you up.

Someone else winning, and you losing (that particular round or event) does not make you a loser.

So we are in the middle of tournament season in Tae Kwon Do, and the South Eastern District Qualifier (hosted by Master Debbi Hooper www.seaautkd.org) is this coming weekend.

I am NOT one of "those" people who think that everyone should get a gold.
But I am one of "those" that think you are only a loser when you think you are...
and there IS a difference.

Indomitable Spirit to me is about not letting outside factors determine your ultimate outcome.

There are so many examples of people with the odds stacked against them - with the outside world telling them that they can't/couldn't - and yet they did.

To me that is Indomitable Spirit - the power within being greater than the pressure or events outside.

Don't let the muggles get you down...

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Sick and sick of it.

Feeling bad and *so* over it...

I've been "under the weather" since Tuesday night - felt like a bad cold with a serious earache.

Hadn't really felt any better, but not worse either until yesterday.

During the church service I started feeling exhausted.  

Couldn't even make it through lunch.  

Came home and went to bed.

Woke up at 3 am long enough to drink some water and go back to sleep.

The Healthcare Clinic at Walgreens this morning ruled out flu, feels like it is just a bad sinus infection. I've taken my first doses of antibiotic and steroids, and am now going back to bed.

Will post again later tonight.

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

Perspective

My perspective is the way I look at things, but I need to remember that it is probably not the only way to look at things, and that a single point of view (any single point of view) is almost certainly not the entire story.

Respectfully,

Kathy Wiz

Surprise

Imagine my surprise...

at the twists and turns this experience has already taken.

that I've really not struggled to have things to write so far.

that the entries I've been least excited about posting - have received some of the most views.

that I'd receive positive responses that would humble me beyond words.

Thank you to all of you who continue to support me and this interesting, surprising, and wonderful journey.  How could I ever say it enough?  Thank you!

Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz

Kwon vs. Kwan

---------------------

Kwon (Hangul: 권, Hanja: 拳) means "to strike or break with fist"

           http://martialarts.wikia.com/wiki/Taekwondo

Kwan (Hanja: 館; Hangul: 관) literally means building or hall, but when used in martial arts it can also refer to a school or clan of martial artists who follow the same style and/or leader.
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwan_(martial_arts)

----------------------

The martial art is Tae Kwon Do - loosely translated as "the way of the foot and fist" or "the way of kicking and punching". 

Moo Duk Kwan         Moo = "martial"    Duk = "moral/virtuous"    Kwan = "organization

Kwan Jang Nim - head of the organization


So why do people insist that Kwan Jang Nim means Master Instructor or Grand Master?
I would imagine because it would be very difficult to be a Kwan Jang Nim without being at least a Master or Grand Master.


Respectfully,
Kathy Wiz