resolution

RESOLUTION:
Main Entry:
res•o•lu•tion    Pronunciation: \ˌre-zə-ˈlü-shən\  Function: noun Etymology:
Middle English resolucioun, from Anglo-French or Latin; Anglo-French resolucion, from Latin resolution-, resolutio, from resolvere
Date:
14th century
1: the act or process of resolving: as a: the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones
HMMM, Kinda like teaching Shou Shu?

Well as the Chinese Lunar New Year approaches I am forced to think about the year past and the resolutions for the year to come.

 Last year was all “Sheng Chi”, continual forward movement, continual growth.  Now I won’t even try to convince anyone that growth is easy.  If you want to grow and advance your Shou’ Shu’ knowledge you have to work at it, train and practice your material diligently. Physically you will be tired and sore and mentally you will have to let go of ego in order to accept knowledge.  It is only the ego that stunts growth.

 If you want to advance your happiness you will have to work at it, train and practice your material…kindness, acceptance, forgiveness…diligently.  Physically you will be tired and mentally you will be sore again it’s the ego that stunts growth in this area as well.  But sore muscles heal, Shou’ Shu’ becomes more clear, your body will do things you never thought possible.  You’ll discover happiness in unexpected places, sleep becomes more restful and life’s challenges a little easier to deal with.

The lessons from last year will help me in the upcoming year as well.  To be thankful for EVERYTHING, on bad days this isn’t easy…like today I am thankful for poison oak. .O.K. not really but as I sit here swollen and itchy I AM TRYING to be thankful for poison oak.  I know for sure I am thankful for modern medicine  

I am thankful for all the new people who have walked through our doors and joined our extended Shou’ Shu’ family.  I am thankful that we have reconnected with some students that moved away.  From Georgia, to Kentucky to Valley Springs and Sonora I love that this site helps keep us all connected. 

Our wonderful yoga instructor Olga challenged us in class last week (besides the headstand) If all your bills were paid and money weren’t’ an issue, what would you do with your life?  I was happy with my answer.  Exactly what I’m doing now.  Teaching Shou’ Shu’.  The road to being a Shifu “for a living” hasn’t always come easily, knowledge comes at a price.  But I get up every day; happy to be alive, put on comfy clothes, teach the coolest Martial Art in the world to the best group of students I could ask for. And for this I am grateful.
As for the upcoming year I have set goals for my Shou’ Shu’ training and with the constant giving of my instructors the year of the Rat will be my Year of the Tiger. 

So now I’ll challenge you as well.  What are you grateful for?  What are your goals for the upcoming year?  How strong is your resolution?

Shifu Liz