I Want My Right Hand Back

Less than 48 hours after my surgery and I was bored silly and frustrated with the inability to do the simple things. My attempt at brushing my teeth left toothpaste all over my face and a toothbrush almost in my ear, almost swallowed my ear ring trying to take off the back, had to use my teeth to help tie my shoes (guess I should be grateful that on occasion my foot will reach that far), had Kayden wash my hair in the kitchen sink (looked like hurricane Florence went through) while hearing the dreaded words ‘your hair is so long it reaches into the garburator’, couldn’t get my bra off without becoming a tangled mess on the floor and putting on make up to look somewhat presentable, ooooo was not pretty.  It is safe to say I am missing the use of my right/dominant hand!

We take so many things for granted on a daily basis.  It is not until we lose them, walk away from them or just allow their value to fade do we realize just how important they actually are and just how much they contribute to our life.  Some things are missed instantly while others may take longer and may even be lost slowly over time from simple neglect.

I have found myself challenged this past week on a couple of different fronts as to just how much value I place on certain things in my life. If taken away how would my life be different? What would I be missing if I choose a path leading in an opposite direction? My hand, well that’s an obvious, I want that one back, but for others that are requiring some decisions, it really isn’t so cut and dry. So I have found myself with a special extra awareness and on a close look out all while recording and listing my findings. To say this year has been one full of surprises, realizations and change is an understatement. What the future looks like I have no idea at this point but l continue to search for the direction I am meant to go.

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

A proven lesson that if you are patient and quiet things will come to you.

Authentic Success

How does one define success?  I have been searching for my own definition for longer than I have realized and in my reading today I heard the words that define it perfectly for me!

Some people may view success as their name in lights, a list of letters behind their name or certificates and awards on the walls and shelves in their office, but I see true success as something quieter, something observed in ones relationships, happiness, perspective, something that is demonstrated in their character on a regular basis, not just when they think they are being watched. It is someone who brings true value to those surrounded by them.  Their absence is evident because of the difference they make.  This is the success I am striving for!

Alana Regier

http://alanaregier.blogspot.ca

 

Evaluating the Results

I have over the last few years made a point of reviewing the results of goals I have set for myself.  What I have and continue to learn in my kung fu and in my life experiences is that there is extreme value in evaluating the results. It truly is in this that you learn the most and have a better chance of success the next time around.

My first ‘list’ I made and actually wrote down in black and white, was in the late night hours after my black belt grading.  On that piece of paper I started with listing the things I did that I thought worked well for me and given the chance I would do again. Following that was the list of what didn’t work and what I would do differently.  Seeing just how much this self-evaluation helped me in choosing new goals as well as building on the goals I had made in the past, only encouraged me to continue and to make this part of my goal setting journey.

As valuable as I have found this tool/habit, I have found it easier to do with some goals over others. I’ve struggled with trying to figure this out and all I can come up with so far has been that it seems to be largely influenced by what is going on in my life at that time and whether my heart is really in the place that makes that goal a priority or of importance in that moment.  Is that goal serving me, mind, body and soul?  As I have revisited my goals throughout the year, I have observed that most of my ‘kung fu’ ones in the physical sense have suffered. However, what has been very evident to me is that the personal ones I have set for myself have actually come out quite strong with the added bonus of learning more and adding to what I had planned in directions I did not foresee. This I see as awesome and makes my year in my eyes a successful one.  I have been challenged, I have learnt and expanded on things I thought I understood and believed and through all this I have grown and gained some clearer clarification as to the direction I want to and need to go.  All this may be totally unobservable to the outside eye, but what is really important is what I know and am confident of in my own heart.

I am not sure of where all this will lead or where exactly I will land, but I am confident that it will be somewhere great and as long as I am willing and ready, it will result in a lifetime of adventures yet to come.

Alana Regier

As we have celebrated both our boys birthdays this past week, I have found many pictures of many adventures and memories!  This picture was from a few years ago at a favorite lake just outside Jasper. Here's to many more great memories and adventures.