Mid April 2010: Update On Karate Journey
Osu, here is where I am at:
Heading to Shanghai tomorrow with Alex and Sempai Yu to train in Shihan’s dojo over the week end. We’ll go by bus; I let Alex organize where we’ll stay, etc… I’ve been a control freak in my professional travels for 20 years; I tell you, relinquishing just a little bit of that makes it feel like an adventure already. I am looking forward for some good training and good times; I’ll have pictures and stories to tell.
Alex’s question was: “what to do during the day?” – Indeed, we’ll be training at night… It doesn’t really matter to me for a day or two, but now I am wondering what I will do during the days once my karate journey is on the road? No worries, I am not freaking out, just wondering with quiet and serene anticipation.
I’ll go to Shanghai again on May 5th, together with our assistant instructor Xiao Ye. Mr Ye is taking t=his Shodan test and asked me to ride shotgun with him. I feel honored that he asked me and I am relishing the opportunity to witness first hand a shodan test. I’ll be training with Xiao Ye as much as possible between now and then. That’s more pictures and stories coming too…
I’ll be arriving at Dent’s dojo in New Jersey the second week of June. The question now is what to do during the first week; my options are:
- stopping in Paris and train with my son and a K4L colleague that will be there, or
- stopping in New York and attend the drawing class I’ve been wanting to go to for the last 4 years, or
- dropping by my parent’s for a few days… my mum doesn’t understand what this karate journey is all about. Not that I have any chance of successfully explaining it to her, but at least, I feel I must try.
My heart leans towards drawing in New York; no decision yet, but if someone has a sofa to rent in Manhattan, that would be nice… please drop me a line via my contact page. I could also do with a couple dojos to visit; if I go the drawing way, I’ll only be busy during the day & a bit of training and meeting new friends in the evening would be great (contact page).
My 3 sons confirmed their intention to join me at Dent’s in August for 3 weeks — they are getting organized with their dates, plane tickets, etc… That’s great! I am looking forward to it.
Mrs. InChina’s mood about my karate journey is on/off; she is getting used to the idea of me being away for long periods of time. Of course, she is not looking forward to it but she is being very supportive… There are still too many unknowns and “ifs” to really make a plan, but in case the travels take me to Southern Africa by Q4 and Australia by Q1 2011, she’s already said would like to join me there for a while.
As far as training is concerned, everything is going well except my left shoulder joint that is, again, giving warning signs of flaming! I am being careful and will try to drop by the hospital on Monday to get some advice.
I have also been procrastinating on clearing up my space & letting go of all these things I won’t be able to do or follow during my journey… Sometimes the obstacles to “escape the bucket of crabs” are self created.
Osu!
PS: Sue at My Journey To Black Belt, that was stranded in Cyprus is being repatriated tonight to the UK – I trust you wanted to know the good news. If you remember, I mentioned Sue’s “adventure” on ‘Self Protection Against Distant Volcanoes”.
I envy you Fred – but I am really excited for you! What an amazing opportunity you have here. Karate and travel are my two favorite activities – to be able to combine the two is just fantastic. And especially so when you are able to do it in the company of friends and family, all over the world!
This drawing thing sounds pretty interesting – might be nice to balance the physical demands of your training with something a little more on the creative side.
Hummmm, Sandman, why precisely are you envying me, or what are you envying in me? My karate journey is the fruit of 45 years searching for myself — After many a detour, false piste and taking the mountain roads, the path revealed itself in all its simplicity and clarity…
Steven Pressfield writes: “I have a theory that charisma arises from authenticity. When a writer has found his voice, when a singer has discovered her style, they have power. We feel it. It draws us to them. Why? Because we want it too. We want to be ourselves they way they are themselves. “
What you are really saying, if we must believe Pressfield, is that you too want to drink at the well of who you really are, taste this authenticity he talks so well about…
I cannot do it for you… What I can do though is guide, inspire, lead, show and share to the best of my ability; and when your time comes, be there and support you, the same way you have been there and supported me.
Osu!
Hi Fred,
You know what? I didn’t know this blog existed until you left it’s URL in my last blog post! I’d have put it in my blog list yonks ago if I’d known. Anyway it looks great and I’m looking forward to catching up on some past posts.
I’m back in the Uk by the way – got repatriated last night! Thanks for all your comments and support during my little adventure – I really appreciated them.
Your karate journey sounds fantastic – I’m envious – perhaps I’ll join you one day!
Hi Sue, good to have you here & glad you like it; please come back any time.
I’ve followed your adventures in Cyprus & even shared a little bit of it with readers; happily it ended and your life can be back to normal; I am looking forward to read how your newly acquired wisdom will influence your martial arts.
Osu!
Osu!
Fred, I’m envious primarily because you are living the dream! (my dream, that is). I love to travel and to train – what better thing than to combine the two…
And I suppose there is some truth to your point as well. You recently shared with me a link to Alwyn Cosgrove’s blog (http://alwyncosgrove.com/2010/04/my-turning-point/)
In his most recent post he listed the “real” steps of any goal setting program. According to him, step #1 is “The Fog.” That is precisely where I am. I am expecting some big changes coming sometime soon in my professional life, and I am in the process of trying to figure out how to take control of where my new path will lead. Problem is, I have no more than a few very vague ideas where I might want to go.
While you have admitted you don’t know exactly where your final destination is, you have at least outlined a pretty clear path to take and are content to just find out where it leads. That is great! And thus, I’m a bit envious…
I hope the training went well over the weekend. I bet the shodan test was fun to see – I still enjoy going to testings even in my own federation after many years. They hold a special energy and intensity that can’t be duplicated easily.
Osu Sandman, the key is motion: not knowing precisely what you want or where you want to go is okay as long as you start moving.
Once you are in motion, you will either be moving towards, or away from “it”… Don’t worry, you will know at that moment and if you find yourself moving “away from”, all you have to do, is adjust.
…then you will have a direction to work with to help you define the “it”.
Sounds cryptic and unreal?
Okay, I admit it can feel like this a little – try this one:
It is only and always about WHO you are, not quite about what or where…
Osu!
Osu Matt,
Thank you for dropping by.
Part of the training was great, thank you.
The Shodan grading is on May 8th, so I’ll be back to Shanghai at that moment.
Osu!
I’m not far from Dent… especially considering you are coming from CHINA! That’s like a walk in the park to my place. Part of your visit must contain a get-together one way or another! Osu!
Osu Bob H, indeed, I agree; I have read Dent hinting at it & even though I do not have a full list of what he has in mind, I am confident that it will happen — one way or another, as you say.
I am looking forward to it.
Osu!
Great advice Fred – thanks for your words of wisdom.
You are welcome Sandman.
I hope the training went well over the weekend. I bet the shodan test was fun to see – I still enjoy going to testings even in my own federation after many years. They hold a special energy and intensity that can’t be duplicated easily.