Family

I am sitting here in front of my laptop reflecting on something as simple and sometimes as complicated as family.  We all have families and they all come in different shapes and sizes.  Some like my wife's are HUGE and some like mine are small.  There is something to be said about a close loving family that I hope we all have the opportunity to feel part off.  What I l like most about families is that you can just be you, no pretending, hopefully no show boating and especially no COMPETING with each other!  Just you and your family.

I have over the past four to five months become part of another family, my new Kung Fu family.  When I joined Kung Fu I didn't join it hopes of becoming part of a new family but it just kind of happened.  I don't really know how to explain it.  I have read many blogs from various Sifu's, Sihings and students and they all talk about this thing called their "Kung Fu Family".  Until recently, I couldn't relate........
However there is such a positive energy with in the Kwoon that it is hard not to become enveloped in it.  This positive energy is a large part because of this family.  Families look out for one another, help each other in times of need, laugh, cry and are there for each other.  I recently took part with the Kwoon renovations.  I helped paint the ceiling and I can tell you (and my wife) that there was more paint on me that on the ceiling.  Sifu Brinker was right about the fact that by helping, you would feel like the Kwoon was now a part of you.  I feel that way every time that I walk in now and glance at the ceiling!!

I feel extremely happy that I now have a new family, my Kung Fu family.

Ian

Eating right

When I was a bit younger, I could eat anything I wanted and I seemed to LOSE weight and had energy to burn.  Now let's get one thing straight right off the bat, I don't think I am fat nor do I think I have a weight problem.  I do think eating right is so much more important that losing weight.  There is a common saying that goes like this "garbage in, garbage out".  It is so true when you think about what you are putting in your body.  If you eat a bunch of junk food you are going to feel very sluggish and your body won't perform that way it should. 

Now consider a formula one race car.  Do you think it would perform at it's peak with regular 89 octane fuel from any corner gas station?  I don't think so.  These cars are highly tuned machines much like our body.  They require premium gas to perform at their optimum peak efficiency.  So do we need quality fuels like fresh veggies and fruit, whole grains and complete proteins.

It is not easy eating the right foods as we are all so busy with our lives.  It requires care full planning to insure that we eat the right food but also to eat them at the right times of the day and in the right amounts.  It makes no sense to skip breakfast and lunch only to eat a huge meal at supper.  I believe our bodies are meant to eat a bunch of smaller meals all the time.  This will help keep the blood sugar levels in your body at even levels with out that horrible spiking.

Ian
Student of Kung Fu @ Silent River Kung Fu
Stony Plain, Alberta