Pieces of the Puzzle

Every experience in my life has been a piece that has brought me to the place I now find myself.  Every challenge, heart break, injury and decision has helped shape me into the person I have become.   These trials have taught me many lessons and strengthened and prepared me for things to come in my future.  Somethings in life I can look back at and understand and accept why they turned out the way did and even be grateful.  In others I may never know why my life took the longer harder path but need to be confident that it was for a purpose and with lessons I needed to learn along the way.

Each one of our journeys are different, some with more detours than others but if we can change our perspective on what each moment means we could greatly alter the outcome.  I could revisit or dwell on many things I wish I would have… or I shouldn’t have…, but the truth is its all these things put together that were the pieces that have built my path that has led to this moment.  Each piece plays a part in my destination. How you view each event in your life, your challenges, fears and regrets along with every joy and moment filled with laughter, will determine the value of the lesson in the end.  

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

PJ's or Uniform?

Tuesday night rolled around and as 8:00pm closed in I found myself looking at my PJ’s on one pile and my uniform neatly folded and ready to go on the other.  How easy it would be to justify choosing jammies saying to myself ‘next Tuesday’, knowing full well that I can find an excuse to put something off once easily enough and that every time after it only gets easier.  With that in mind sparing it was.  For the week prior I hadn’t felt any anxiety about the thought of sparing after such a long time that was until I was on the floor.  All of a sudden I started to sweat, my mouth went dry, I started to feel paralysis in my legs, okay maybe not paralysis, but definitely anxiety and trouble breathing and I hadn’t even started anything yet.  How is it that a person can forget how to breathe?  Does the body not just automatically do it without me having to think about it and constantly remind myself? 

The truth is that sparing has never been my absolute favorite thing to do and I have avoided opportunities that would allow me the chance to overcome this.  What better way to conquer a fear or to get better at something than to meet it head on gloves a blazing, well not blazing YET!  What growth will come by running in the opposite direction? 

As I looked at my fellow students Tuesday night I felt a calming.  I have known most of these people in one capacity or another for quite some time.  There truly wasn’t a safer or more controlled place to get in some much needed rounds. I’d like to thank Sifu Sharida Csillag for answering my call for girls and for the rest of the guys who were extremely patient and took it a little easier on me. It was a great night and I can honestly say a great time! 

Thank you again,

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

Raise Em' Up

So often I look at my kids and think ‘where do you get that from?’  Sometimes it’s the witty comments or the mischievous look when they have been up to no good but then there are the moments they display compassion and empathy to a complete stranger, the leadership qualities they demonstrate or the commitment, determination and follow through they show towards goals they have set for themselves.  Then I take a look at the environment they have been raised in and realize they are a reflection of us as parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, coaches etc.  What I have done, how I have behaved and the words I have used have all been a part in building the foundation that have made them the young men I see before me.  They have confirmed for me that as a parent I have a huge opportunity and responsibility to influence change.  

I look at Kayden and I see how he dedicates himself to things he enjoys and is passionate about.  I see how he gives it his all in what he does, always striving to do the best he can and beyond. I admire how he stands up for what he believes and continues to lead by example in a world that is not always so receptive. I then look at my oldest son Brandon, who in his second year of college has received honors and scholarships for the hard work and continued dedication to his studies. He has stepped up into leadership roles at every opportunity given and acts with compassion, patience and kindness towards everyone along his path. I see him writing in his journal the km’s he has run, the strength training he has done and the food he has eaten every day and I stifle a giggle, poor guy he is just like his parents! His complete commitment and perseverance every day in order to reach some pretty major goals in his passion of ultra –running while balancing school, work and life totally wows me!

I look at these two young men and can’t help but feel proud and hugely inspired. My boys are confirming for me that in pursuit of overcoming mediocrity in my own life I am also impacting how they view the world around them and how they choose to live their own lives.  They weren’t born with or lucked out with these qualities; they were surrounded with them, encouraged and taught from an early age on. In all I do, I am passing on qualities (the good, bad and unfortunately ugly) that will help them in their own paths towards mastery.  The decision to be a part of the I Ho Chuan team isn’t one to take lightly.  It is a decision that whatever your accomplishments are come the end of the year, affects not only you but trickles down to all around you in one way or another.  Choose to live a life with character and integrity, one you want to see your kids, friends, neighbors, coworkers, team mates etc. mimic. So as Keith Urban said on my run last week “Raise em’ up trophy high, raise em’ up to the sky, raise em’ up tall and strong, raise em’up right from wrong.”

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca