The new year has been off to a bit of a rough start so far, but as the saying goes, "When you're going through hell, keep going."
I've been sick for the past couple of weeks (apparently the chronic lack of sleep has finally caught up with me), so it's been very difficult to train and the holidays were a little rough, but last night — my first night in a gi in a week and a half! — I taught three consecutive fitness classes as part of our dojo's annual 6-week fitness campaign. Lots of pushups and ab work. I'm pleased to report that today, I'm not feeling the after-effects too badly! Tonight, I'm running a "combat conditioning" class at the dojo — now, that should be fun!
I'm anxious to get moving on my commitment to use the TACFIT Warrior program as my primary fitness and goal-achieving platform this year. I earned myself a 3rd place in Scott Sonnon's video challenge with this entry, which earned me a refund of the purchase price of the program. I re-invested part of the refund in a new digital watch with an interval timer so I can more precisely execute my tabata sessions without needing to look up at a clock. Look for more TACFIT updates from me soon!
Outside of training, I've added to the series of videos on bullying prevention that I've committed to producing throughout the year to benefit the community with a review of Terrence Webster Doyle's "Why Is Everybody Always Picking On Me?" I posted the video on Boston Self-Defense, the community self-defense resource guide I created, and I'll be sending a link to the video to the local school principals. I also created a new series of videos that I'm calling "tokonoma-side chats." These videos will be for dojo members only, but you can see the intro segment here.
One of the main things I'd like to accomplish in the coming year is to be more mindful, and to keep myself more focused on truly experiencing the present moment. On my current personal development reading list: Savor, Mindful Eating, Mindful Life by Thich Nhat Hanh and Dr. Lilian Cheung and The Soul of Leadership by Deepak Chopra.
We've had a wee bit of "family drama" in the past month, so I've got some relationships in need of mending. But that is the work, no?
Looking forward to it all.
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goals. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Thursday, January 3, 2008
On Holiday Gifts, Gratitude, and Goals
Folks, I've been offline and out of the loop for several weeks, as I've just endured a really rough December!
Back on December 12, during what I thought was going to be a routine pediatrician visit, we learned that my daughter Ava has Type I Diabetes! There's a whole lot more drama to tell than I'm going to share here in this blog entry, but last month my wife and I unexpectedly spent 8 days living at Children's Hospital here in Boston taking care of our daughter, and learning about diabetes. The irony of meeting Andy Mandell, Mr. Diabetes, in the past year is not lost on me… Andy – you're the best. Thanks for being a part of my life, and part of this UBBT!
Our time in the hospital was terrifying, stressful, and sleepless, but after crash courses in how to check blood sugar, measure foods, count carbohydrates, draw and inject insulin — and after surviving illnesses, complications, and three major snowstorms in a week's time — we finally left the hospital exhausted and overwhelmed on December 20. Just in time for the holidays, but totally lacking the holiday spirit, to be sure.
Family, friends, and my UBBT teammates have been a HUGE help during our little crisis. Everyone really stepped up with their gifts, offers to help, errands, kind words of support, ears to listen, shoulders to cry on, and prayers. My students really stepped up in my absence to make sure classes continued to run at the dojo, too. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU. My family and I are truly blessed!
I've easily spent more time on my knees in the past 3 weeks to ask for strength than I have in the past 30 years. And to spend time in Children's Hospital, seeing so many other children who are REALLY sick, REALLY injured, and REALLY challenged — well that was a real eye opener for me. I guess I could complain about my daughter's illness, but not after seeing so many other children and parents who are dealing with far greater challenges display such courage, resolve, and bravery. Now THAT was a gift. And at just 17 months old, Ava has been a real trooper through all of the drama. She is truly one of my living heroes!
We're all still extremely stressed, scared, and unsure of the way forward, but our little family is getting back to the "new" normal now. Life can and must go on!
So I'm 3 weeks behind on all of my UBBT training, and I'm getting sore all over again doing my pushups, crunches, and bag work. But this is my Black Belt Test. I've spent some time drawing up new, exciting, and challenging goals for 2008, including reducing my meat consumption, enforcing personal sleep discipline, laughing and playing more, and following my dreams.
I will serve as an example of the ultimate student. I will not quit and I will not fail. Nothing, and I mean nothing will keep me from becoming my best: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Watch me. Encourage me. Train with me.
Wishing you all peace, health, happiness, success, and abundance in the new year — with gratitude,
Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
http://www.karateinboston.com/
(617) 230-1973
Back on December 12, during what I thought was going to be a routine pediatrician visit, we learned that my daughter Ava has Type I Diabetes! There's a whole lot more drama to tell than I'm going to share here in this blog entry, but last month my wife and I unexpectedly spent 8 days living at Children's Hospital here in Boston taking care of our daughter, and learning about diabetes. The irony of meeting Andy Mandell, Mr. Diabetes, in the past year is not lost on me… Andy – you're the best. Thanks for being a part of my life, and part of this UBBT!
Our time in the hospital was terrifying, stressful, and sleepless, but after crash courses in how to check blood sugar, measure foods, count carbohydrates, draw and inject insulin — and after surviving illnesses, complications, and three major snowstorms in a week's time — we finally left the hospital exhausted and overwhelmed on December 20. Just in time for the holidays, but totally lacking the holiday spirit, to be sure.
Family, friends, and my UBBT teammates have been a HUGE help during our little crisis. Everyone really stepped up with their gifts, offers to help, errands, kind words of support, ears to listen, shoulders to cry on, and prayers. My students really stepped up in my absence to make sure classes continued to run at the dojo, too. THANKS TO ALL OF YOU. My family and I are truly blessed!
I've easily spent more time on my knees in the past 3 weeks to ask for strength than I have in the past 30 years. And to spend time in Children's Hospital, seeing so many other children who are REALLY sick, REALLY injured, and REALLY challenged — well that was a real eye opener for me. I guess I could complain about my daughter's illness, but not after seeing so many other children and parents who are dealing with far greater challenges display such courage, resolve, and bravery. Now THAT was a gift. And at just 17 months old, Ava has been a real trooper through all of the drama. She is truly one of my living heroes!
We're all still extremely stressed, scared, and unsure of the way forward, but our little family is getting back to the "new" normal now. Life can and must go on!
So I'm 3 weeks behind on all of my UBBT training, and I'm getting sore all over again doing my pushups, crunches, and bag work. But this is my Black Belt Test. I've spent some time drawing up new, exciting, and challenging goals for 2008, including reducing my meat consumption, enforcing personal sleep discipline, laughing and playing more, and following my dreams.
I will serve as an example of the ultimate student. I will not quit and I will not fail. Nothing, and I mean nothing will keep me from becoming my best: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Watch me. Encourage me. Train with me.
Wishing you all peace, health, happiness, success, and abundance in the new year — with gratitude,
Jason Gould
Emerald Necklace Martial Arts
http://www.karateinboston.com/
(617) 230-1973
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