Routine

Routine, although can be very comforting, can become one that at times feels like mediocrity. I for one typically love the sense of knowing how my day is going to go down and feel relief in that sense of some sort of control.  In knowing this about myself I have been a little caught off guard with the feelings I have been experiencing with my routine.  I have found myself just going through the motions with some requirements, doing them without much thought, intent or purpose.  Take for instance the sit ups and push ups.  They are a requirement I have been doing faithfully for a few years now and I think I have got to this place that they are just something to scratch off the list of must do’s.  Please don’t get me wrong, this is not because I’m in awesome shape because the truth be known I am in probably the worse shape I have been in for years. I think I not only have lost what the value physically is but have lost the much deeper purpose of this requirement. In trying to figure this out, I think, like many things for me this year I have had the wrong perspective and attitude at times.  I have allowed myself to become distracted and have not been in the moment with a pure intent in what I have always been doing.  I recognize the need to focus on where I am and what I’m doing and why I’m doing it.  What is my intent? What value is there in strictly being able to cross it off a list or write a number of reps down in my journal if I fail to see the value in it?  What have a gained?

So like many on the team this year, I have had to hit restart.  I have had to restart on some of my personal goals that dropped off for me early on and have found that changing things up with a little pizzazz, out of the comfort of routine, to be benefitting me more than I would have thought. Changing how I do things, adding more to compliment achieving my goals and taking other things to a new level has helped me refocus in a cool direction. Each of us joined the Year of the Rooster with great intentions and plans but I believe it is extremely important to revisit those reasons ‘why’ throughout the year to gain clarity as to where you are and reassess whether you need to adjust to better your results. Quite often in examining the ‘why’ we discover much deeper benefits and value than what appears on the surface.

Alana Regier                                              

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

Value of Goals

The value of setting goals is not lost on me. Without goals life seems somewhat lost and without purpose.  If a person is not working towards something, then they are living without direction.  Without direction comes chaos, confusion, disorder and ultimately little completed in the end.

In the past it’s been the physical goals that I have found the easiest in respect that they usually seem more measureable to me.  It’s in the goals that are more mental, spiritual, relationship orientated that can be a little trickier for me to tell whether I am making progress.  I can make myself do push ups, sit ups, squat thrusts, running etc. but those goals that dig a little deeper, are more complicated or involve other people are unpredictable and sometimes requires me to change my plan many times along the way. Not always easy or comfortable but necessary.

Not all progress and successes are visible to the outside world, however, I believe the fruit we bear in all areas of our life will be evidence that we are on the right track. It is your future goals that determine the energy and effort you put towards what you do today.

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

Splattered on the Wall

As I find myself in a funk in my training, unable to explain why and unsure of how to crawl out, I read one of Tom Callos’ recent posts titled “Hitting a Wall.” The timing of this particular post could not be more perfect as in many ways I think I may actually be more splattered on the wall.  As I read it I could without doubt nod my head with complete understanding.  I could visualize myself too choosing Star Bucks over going to class and not understanding why. 

For almost 7 years I worked my way from white belt to black belt, continually being taught and led in my training and then I reach this black belt level and all of a sudden I felt somewhat lost as to the direction I was supposed to go.  I remember the realization quickly that this was completely the start of my training and that I hadn’t even scratched the surface.  So how do I progress with taking my training to the next level? I’m not an unmotivated soul. My drive and determination is mimicked off the mats and beyond the four walls of the kwoon. One would think that it would just be a constant progression, reach one level continue on working to the next, however , I haven’t been able to get to that place and find myself  trying to figure out why. It’s not the belt or the red stripe that I am so fixed on getting, for me it is the journey in reaching that spot.  It’s the lessons and growth along the way.  It’s the difference I can make in the world around me.  I want to know with every fiber of my being that when I reach that level I have truly earned it.  The one lesson that stands out vividly that I can say I am working on steadily on this journey is patience.  I wish I could say it was easy and that I was successfully winning but it seems to be one of the lessons that is more of a work in progress, the one step forward two back type.

 It can be less visible that everyone has struggles, that we all have valleys and mountains tops.  Mentors and heroes can be easily put in a category of having special powers that make them untouchable and perfect but in reality they are as human as I am.  They still hurt, struggle and feel frustrated and disappointed. The difference is how they overcome and persevere.  How they don’t allow the crap stuff to beat them down and allow it to become an excuse as to why they didn’t or why they can’t.  They are determined and because of this become the leaders and mentors that stand out and motivate others.  It’s in witnessing those I admire and look up to struggle, fail and overcome that I am truly inspired.  They are extraordinary because of what they have conquered and become and give me hope that I am capable of the same if I choose to be.

As Tom Callos said in his post:

 “Yes, I hit the wall too.  When you see me do it, then watch me. Watch what I do.”

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca