Monday, April 13, 2009
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Nothing to write about?
I'm finding it hard to find something to write about.
Normally, I would just not bother writing, but because of the challenge I'm having with my brother I can't (unless I want to lose), not to mention the UBBT.
This is partly why I previously wrote very rarely. Always in my mind was the idea that others would be reading this and judging my character based upon it. The thought always scared me and I therefore tried only to write what I thought would be meaningful and sound intellegant.
I suppose at a certain point in your journey, you have to let go of that fear. You can't always let the opinions of others guide your actions; sometimes you just have to be yourself.
It takes courage to do so however, and that is something I need to work on.
That's what I learned tonight, while writing about having nothing to write about, sometimes you just have to be yourself and love it.
Normally, I would just not bother writing, but because of the challenge I'm having with my brother I can't (unless I want to lose), not to mention the UBBT.
This is partly why I previously wrote very rarely. Always in my mind was the idea that others would be reading this and judging my character based upon it. The thought always scared me and I therefore tried only to write what I thought would be meaningful and sound intellegant.
I suppose at a certain point in your journey, you have to let go of that fear. You can't always let the opinions of others guide your actions; sometimes you just have to be yourself.
It takes courage to do so however, and that is something I need to work on.
That's what I learned tonight, while writing about having nothing to write about, sometimes you just have to be yourself and love it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Blessings
I had a lot of fun today putting together a bokken sequence with Mike. We got it to flow pretty well and I always have fun working with him. It's a real blessing to be able to share our Kung-Fu with each other. Not many people get that opportunity.
Today I learned that to be able to share what you love with the person you spend your life with is one of the greatest things anyone could ever hope for, especially if they know how to cook!
Today I learned that to be able to share what you love with the person you spend your life with is one of the greatest things anyone could ever hope for, especially if they know how to cook!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Doubt and Belief
Tonight I watched the movie Doubt.
It wasn't bad, not great, but enough to get me thinking.
The story is about a nun at a school who suspects the priest of certain wrong-doings. She has no proof, but is certain that the safety of particular students is at risk.
Even if the priest is innocent, she can't risk the possibility of his guilt.
I think this is true when it comes to a lot of things; sometimes people believe things just because they are afraid they might be true. I think this is especially the case when it comes to religion.
I don't disagree with the nun's diligence, children's safety is paramount in this case, and I don't know if she actually believed it 100%, but it got me thinking. Believing in something because you are afraid it might be true isn't truly believing at all. I think some people kid themselves, thinking fear is belief. It isn't.
In order to truly believe something, you need to have tested it, tried it and weighed against other possibilities; you need to be sure it is the truth, not just a possibility.
Tonight I learned to question my beliefs, to make sure I'm am not simply following fear.
To truly believe something, you need to ask questions.
Belief takes work.
It wasn't bad, not great, but enough to get me thinking.
The story is about a nun at a school who suspects the priest of certain wrong-doings. She has no proof, but is certain that the safety of particular students is at risk.
Even if the priest is innocent, she can't risk the possibility of his guilt.
I think this is true when it comes to a lot of things; sometimes people believe things just because they are afraid they might be true. I think this is especially the case when it comes to religion.
I don't disagree with the nun's diligence, children's safety is paramount in this case, and I don't know if she actually believed it 100%, but it got me thinking. Believing in something because you are afraid it might be true isn't truly believing at all. I think some people kid themselves, thinking fear is belief. It isn't.
In order to truly believe something, you need to have tested it, tried it and weighed against other possibilities; you need to be sure it is the truth, not just a possibility.
Tonight I learned to question my beliefs, to make sure I'm am not simply following fear.
To truly believe something, you need to ask questions.
Belief takes work.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Interuption in my chi
Not feeling well...
My chi was flowing pretty good in my hands, but my head feels like a block of lead-nothing gets through. Tomorrow I'll play around some more and see if I can help unclog my chi.
Tonight I learned that push-ups are a lot harder when your chi isn't cooperating. This lesson showed me that everything is better when you have your chi involed, punches, etc. It is the oohmph factor and gives you your power.
My chi was flowing pretty good in my hands, but my head feels like a block of lead-nothing gets through. Tomorrow I'll play around some more and see if I can help unclog my chi.
Tonight I learned that push-ups are a lot harder when your chi isn't cooperating. This lesson showed me that everything is better when you have your chi involed, punches, etc. It is the oohmph factor and gives you your power.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Sickness...NNNNOOOO!!!!
I think I'm getting a touch of illness.
When my sister and her roommate visited this past weekend, Emily (the roommate) had bronchitis so I'm a tad concerned.
I'm going to guzzle some grapefruit juice (universal cure for all ills), finish my UBBT workout for the night and hit the sack. A good night's sleep will give me a boost.
Today I learned that illness can sure slow you down and that one should be thankful for one's health. You shouldn't take your health for granted.
When my sister and her roommate visited this past weekend, Emily (the roommate) had bronchitis so I'm a tad concerned.
I'm going to guzzle some grapefruit juice (universal cure for all ills), finish my UBBT workout for the night and hit the sack. A good night's sleep will give me a boost.
Today I learned that illness can sure slow you down and that one should be thankful for one's health. You shouldn't take your health for granted.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Getting things done
I just spent the last 7 hours completing my final petoleum project: 3 cross sections about 3m long each, an isopach map, some reservoir calculations and some written questions. I'm exhausted and I still have to finish my UBBT workout for the day. I've been working on the project for the past three weeks and had gotten over half of it completed, but I never seemed to have enough time, before tonight, to go through and actually finish it all.
Tonight I learned that you never have enough time to get things done when you want to, you always have enough time to get things done when you have to and I really should try to get things done before crunch time.
Tonight I learned that you never have enough time to get things done when you want to, you always have enough time to get things done when you have to and I really should try to get things done before crunch time.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Taking chances
So today I dropped off my letter of intent, the final part of my grad school application.
I poured every hope I had into writing that letter, trying to put across the passion I hold for geology and how badly I want to do this. It was really hard to drop off that letter. I don't really even know why, but it took all I had to do it.
I think, because I put so much of my private dreams into that letter, getting my Phd, teaching, research, etc., it was like giving a piece of myself up for judgement. The possibility that I might not get accepted is the possibility that I am personally not good enough; that's a hard thing to face.
So I roped in a friend to come with me and I placed it down infront of the secretary who looked it over and uttered, "good," dropping it in my file.
Now I sit, waiting for the letter that will say yay or nay.
I'm telling myself that if I don't get accepted, I'll just get a job, start a carrier and move on; but deep down inside, the thought of failing, of not being accepted, of having to sit on the sidelines while other decide my future is driving my out of my mind.
Today I learned it is hard to put your dreams on the line, to put yourself out there for judgement; but if don't, you never have the chance to do anything great.
I poured every hope I had into writing that letter, trying to put across the passion I hold for geology and how badly I want to do this. It was really hard to drop off that letter. I don't really even know why, but it took all I had to do it.
I think, because I put so much of my private dreams into that letter, getting my Phd, teaching, research, etc., it was like giving a piece of myself up for judgement. The possibility that I might not get accepted is the possibility that I am personally not good enough; that's a hard thing to face.
So I roped in a friend to come with me and I placed it down infront of the secretary who looked it over and uttered, "good," dropping it in my file.
Now I sit, waiting for the letter that will say yay or nay.
I'm telling myself that if I don't get accepted, I'll just get a job, start a carrier and move on; but deep down inside, the thought of failing, of not being accepted, of having to sit on the sidelines while other decide my future is driving my out of my mind.
Today I learned it is hard to put your dreams on the line, to put yourself out there for judgement; but if don't, you never have the chance to do anything great.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Friends
Third day blogging.
Today I met my sister's roommate. She seemed really nice and we all got along really well. They are at firefighting school in Vermillion and will be there for a year. They came by for a visit and to do laundry. I always look forward to my sister's visits. Now that we don't live together, we're actually good friends.
Today I learned good friends are nice to have, but being able to be friends with your family is a true blessing. I'm glad my sister and I are friends.
Today I met my sister's roommate. She seemed really nice and we all got along really well. They are at firefighting school in Vermillion and will be there for a year. They came by for a visit and to do laundry. I always look forward to my sister's visits. Now that we don't live together, we're actually good friends.
Today I learned good friends are nice to have, but being able to be friends with your family is a true blessing. I'm glad my sister and I are friends.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
The Great Blog-off
Today I challenged my brother to a blog-off. We're each going to write our blog everyday for a month. If one of us fails, we are at the mercy of the other. I hope he loses so I can make him eat a whole bottle of ketchup! I'll take pictures too!
That is the lesson I learned today; competition and teamwork makes goals easier to achieve.
It's on like donkey-kong Ben! Hope you like ketchup:)
That is the lesson I learned today; competition and teamwork makes goals easier to achieve.
It's on like donkey-kong Ben! Hope you like ketchup:)
Friday, April 3, 2009
So tonight in class I had a bit of an eye opener. Master Brinker and the others who went to Alabama talked about their experiences and how the trip affected them and it brought to my attention how important journaling is.
For my UBBT requirements, I tried to balance out physical and mental tasks so as to make me a more well rounded black belt. I have school as a big part, getting good grades and getting into grad school, etc. I also have push ups, situps and my form reps as far as physical requirements go.
When I joined the UBBT student team, Master Brinker told me I was required to journal once a week. I hate journalling but I added it to my list of mental requirements. I thought it would be easy...maybe a tad inconvenient, but easy.
I was wrong.
Throughout this whole UBBT, my pushups, my situps, my form...I'm right on track. I've done 32, 799 pushups, 32,519 situps and 270 reps of Kempo since accepting the challenge on September 14; but I haven't journalled very much at all.
It might be because I'm afraid to write something I'll regret, or maybe just because I'm lazy (more likely). Anway, tonight was a kick in the pants so I better get my act together:)
I think if I try to write every day when I do the rest of my Kung-Fu routine, I can make it a habit. I've realized that I've missed out on a lot of opportunities for self examination and memories that journalling can provide and preserve.
I don't want to miss out anymore. Journalling can be a great tool if I decide to use it.
So I'll start by writing again tomorrow. If I try to think of one thing I learned everyday and write it down and think about it, I should think that would make me a better person in the end.
For my UBBT requirements, I tried to balance out physical and mental tasks so as to make me a more well rounded black belt. I have school as a big part, getting good grades and getting into grad school, etc. I also have push ups, situps and my form reps as far as physical requirements go.
When I joined the UBBT student team, Master Brinker told me I was required to journal once a week. I hate journalling but I added it to my list of mental requirements. I thought it would be easy...maybe a tad inconvenient, but easy.
I was wrong.
Throughout this whole UBBT, my pushups, my situps, my form...I'm right on track. I've done 32, 799 pushups, 32,519 situps and 270 reps of Kempo since accepting the challenge on September 14; but I haven't journalled very much at all.
It might be because I'm afraid to write something I'll regret, or maybe just because I'm lazy (more likely). Anway, tonight was a kick in the pants so I better get my act together:)
I think if I try to write every day when I do the rest of my Kung-Fu routine, I can make it a habit. I've realized that I've missed out on a lot of opportunities for self examination and memories that journalling can provide and preserve.
I don't want to miss out anymore. Journalling can be a great tool if I decide to use it.
So I'll start by writing again tomorrow. If I try to think of one thing I learned everyday and write it down and think about it, I should think that would make me a better person in the end.