I read a brief article this morning that I really think sends a powerful message and wanted to share it. The article read as follows:
A brand-new Little League baseball coach called a friend for advice. The friend, who had coached everything from soccer to track with his kids, told him, “I always started by numbering the bases.”
The new coach was surprised. “What do you mean?”
The friend explained that the first year he coached Little League, he laid out the bases and had the kids line up. “To warm up, let’s have everybody jog around the base path. The first four kids too off towards third.”
“Ever since,” he said, “I’ve numbered the bases and explained that you have to run them in order. You’d be amazed at the number of kids who go from first to third by cutting across the pitcher’s mound.”
The moral: Never assume people know what’s obvious to you. Explain what they need to know.
This concept certainly is not relevant only to baseball, but to all aspects of our lives. It certainly has given me food for thought.
Sifu Dennis www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain, Alberta
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Summer Projects
I can’t believe that it is already September. What happened to our summer???
Our project for this year was to refinish the outside of our house and garage. In the past we have been able to put the stain on with a spray gun, but this year we bought a different type of stain and the sprayer did not work. As a result we have been applying the stain with a brush. It is taking a lot longer and a lot harder on the arms.
One coat did not do the trick so we have had to put on a second coat. Although I have been spending every spare moment on the weekend and after work painting (weather permitting), the house and deck are not quite finished yet. Hopefully that will get done this coming weekend.
Having a two storey house means that I get the pleasure of climbing way up to paint the top of the house and fireplace chimneys. I must admit that I really, really don’t like heights and in fact as I get older, it seems that my fear of heights gets worse with each passing year. I am having to deal with that issue this year as there has been no choice if I want the top half of the house painted.
The garage isn’t started yet, but I guess I should look at what we accomplished, not what we haven’t. I can only hope we have a very long fall. I am determined that it is getting done this year so who knows, I may be painting in the snow.
I will keep my fingers crossed.
Our project for this year was to refinish the outside of our house and garage. In the past we have been able to put the stain on with a spray gun, but this year we bought a different type of stain and the sprayer did not work. As a result we have been applying the stain with a brush. It is taking a lot longer and a lot harder on the arms.
One coat did not do the trick so we have had to put on a second coat. Although I have been spending every spare moment on the weekend and after work painting (weather permitting), the house and deck are not quite finished yet. Hopefully that will get done this coming weekend.
Having a two storey house means that I get the pleasure of climbing way up to paint the top of the house and fireplace chimneys. I must admit that I really, really don’t like heights and in fact as I get older, it seems that my fear of heights gets worse with each passing year. I am having to deal with that issue this year as there has been no choice if I want the top half of the house painted.
The garage isn’t started yet, but I guess I should look at what we accomplished, not what we haven’t. I can only hope we have a very long fall. I am determined that it is getting done this year so who knows, I may be painting in the snow.
I will keep my fingers crossed.
Summer Project
I can’t believe that it is already September. What happened to our summer???
Our project for this year was to refinish the outside of our house and garage. In the past we have been able to put the stain on with a spray gun, but this year we bought a different type of stain and the sprayer did not work. As a result we have been applying the stain with a brush. It is taking a lot longer and a lot harder on the arms.
One coat did not do the trick so we have had to put on a second coat. Although I have been spending every spare moment on the weekend and after work painting (weather permitting), the house and deck are not quite finished yet. Hopefully that will get done this coming weekend.
Having a two storey house means that I get the pleasure of climbing way up to paint the top of the house and fireplace chimneys. I must admit that I really, really don’t like heights and in fact as I get older, it seems that my fear of heights gets worse with each passing year. I am having to deal with that issue this year as there has been no choice if I want the top half of the house painted.
The garage isn’t started yet, but I guess I should look at what we accomplished, not what we haven’t. I can only hope we have a very long fall. I am determined that it is getting done this year so who knows, I may be painting in the snow.
I will keep my fingers crossed.
Our project for this year was to refinish the outside of our house and garage. In the past we have been able to put the stain on with a spray gun, but this year we bought a different type of stain and the sprayer did not work. As a result we have been applying the stain with a brush. It is taking a lot longer and a lot harder on the arms.
One coat did not do the trick so we have had to put on a second coat. Although I have been spending every spare moment on the weekend and after work painting (weather permitting), the house and deck are not quite finished yet. Hopefully that will get done this coming weekend.
Having a two storey house means that I get the pleasure of climbing way up to paint the top of the house and fireplace chimneys. I must admit that I really, really don’t like heights and in fact as I get older, it seems that my fear of heights gets worse with each passing year. I am having to deal with that issue this year as there has been no choice if I want the top half of the house painted.
The garage isn’t started yet, but I guess I should look at what we accomplished, not what we haven’t. I can only hope we have a very long fall. I am determined that it is getting done this year so who knows, I may be painting in the snow.
I will keep my fingers crossed.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Round Four
Am I lucky or what? On Sunday morning I was up early as I had a very busy day ahead. First on the agenda was to feed the dogs and what did I come across, but one of the dogs (Sasha) had gotten into a porcupine. Again!. This must be a real good year for them (or a real bad year, depending on how you look at it) as this is the fourth time, and I hope the last time, that we have had to deal with this. This is the third time for Sasha.
She is a big dog and it is a real challenge to keep her down if she doesn’t really want to be there, especially as she had a very good idea what was going to be happening. My husband took the first shift of keeping her still and when I took over holding her down, I knew from past experience it was going to be a challenge. At first, I didn’t really think about how I was able to keep her still, but after a while I noticed that I was in a half guard position and my arm was such that she could not move her head and we were able to get the job done quickly. Kung fu is absolutely amazing and does play a role in all aspects of our lives, whether we realize it or not.
Sifu Dennis www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
She is a big dog and it is a real challenge to keep her down if she doesn’t really want to be there, especially as she had a very good idea what was going to be happening. My husband took the first shift of keeping her still and when I took over holding her down, I knew from past experience it was going to be a challenge. At first, I didn’t really think about how I was able to keep her still, but after a while I noticed that I was in a half guard position and my arm was such that she could not move her head and we were able to get the job done quickly. Kung fu is absolutely amazing and does play a role in all aspects of our lives, whether we realize it or not.
Sifu Dennis www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Time Out
I have great admiration for those who have scheduled a "down time or time out" into their week. That is one thing I keep planning to do but it just doesn't seem to happen.
I work full time and don't get home during the week until quite late in the evening, the weekends are when I try to catch up on everything I missed during the week. As the time passes, my list of things to do keeps getting longer and longer, as I am sure many people can relate.
The only way I will get some down time is if I schedule it into my week and stick to it. If I don't, time will keep passing and each spare moment will continue to be filled with another task.
Recently two of my sisters have had some very serious health issues and I know this is something I really need and recognizing it is half the battle. Now I just need to take that next step.
Sifu Dennis www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Excited
During the past few weeks I have been learning the Tai Chi Broadsword form and am really, really enjoying it. I live for Tai Chi and adding the broadsword form is just making it that much better.
Several years ago, I was learning the Tai Chi Broadsword form and I recall how much of a struggle it was for me. I can’t really put my finger on what the problem was, but I have heard many times to be patient and when the time is right, things will come together. This time, I am really amazed at how the form is making so much more sense and I can’t wait to learn the rest of the form.
Sifu Dennis www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
Several years ago, I was learning the Tai Chi Broadsword form and I recall how much of a struggle it was for me. I can’t really put my finger on what the problem was, but I have heard many times to be patient and when the time is right, things will come together. This time, I am really amazed at how the form is making so much more sense and I can’t wait to learn the rest of the form.
Sifu Dennis www.silentriverkungfu.com Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Changing Roles
Isn’t life a strange? I was thinking about the different phases and changes in my life from childhood to the present. I remember many years ago when my parents were responsible and made decisions on many of the things I wanted to do, where I went, etc.
Now that my dad has passed on and my mom is in her mid-eighties and on her own, I find the tables have turned. She now calls me regularly for guidance and asks what I think with respect to most things in her day to day life. She is still capable of making her own decisions, but she doesn’t always consider the consequences of her actions and there are times when I have to come to her rescue and soothe some ruffled feathers. It is a lot harder now than when my sons were growing up or maybe it just seems like a lot more work. Who really knows.
Life is short and if it is within our power to make a difference in the quality of someone’s life and peace of mind, I feel it is our responsibility to step up to the plate and do whatever we can.
Now that my dad has passed on and my mom is in her mid-eighties and on her own, I find the tables have turned. She now calls me regularly for guidance and asks what I think with respect to most things in her day to day life. She is still capable of making her own decisions, but she doesn’t always consider the consequences of her actions and there are times when I have to come to her rescue and soothe some ruffled feathers. It is a lot harder now than when my sons were growing up or maybe it just seems like a lot more work. Who really knows.
Life is short and if it is within our power to make a difference in the quality of someone’s life and peace of mind, I feel it is our responsibility to step up to the plate and do whatever we can.
Eva Dennis
Silent River Kung Fu, Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada
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