Surprise – and then there were two!
by stacia on July 28, 2010
in meditation, silence
Mother Nature's Creativity
Nick asked me to shoot a few videos of him for the upcoming USANA convention and another one of our sites. While I was waiting for him to get ready, I wandered over to our Butterfly bush and tried to capture Mother Nature’s artwork. I love having this right outside my office window. When the bush is about 6 feet high, the butterflies go crazy with it.
I am not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination, sometimes I just happen to get a great picture.
I’m shooting away, trying to capture a good shot of the butterfly there to the left, and Nick motions for me to follow him around the side of the house. I follow, wondering why on earth we’re heading to the back yard.
Behind our shed? Well, the guys had been throwing the clippings back there every fall when they cut the bush down. Now? HUGE butterfly bush and so many colorful butterflies flitting about. Who knew?
What a beautiful surprise! We’d thought we lost the one out front due to the snow storms, but now I have TWO! Lesson, be open to your surroundings and unexpected surprises.
PS – If you’re a writer and missing the Romance Writer’s of America Conference in Orlando, then head over to Savvy Authors! There’s a summer symposium and I’m running the Muse Workshop from now thru Sunday.
Meditation for Martial Artists
by stacia on July 25, 2010
in marital arts, meditation
I’m behind in my reading.
It might be because I have so many book laying around the house and office that I forget which ones I’d been so focused on at the store. If you read my blog over on www.sybir.com you know I have a problem with bookstores, I just can’t get out of one for under $80. Pricey if I get too near Borders once a week.
I’ve been focused on my freelance work lately, and have neglected my writing focus for MBS Works. Writing focus for here? Yes, that includes:
- This blog
- Researching Self Defense authors and books for Everything Self Defense
- Co-writing a book with the experts over at ACSS Transitions
- and a score of other things that I try to keep up with….
You should see my to do list.
Black Belt - Sept 2010
In reading an article, “The Inverse Pearl” in Black Belt magazine today, I was reminded about why and how I use meditation in my life. It reminded me that on the days I keep meditation in my schedule, I get far more done in less time. I’m more focused in the dojo or the gym. This is true for me in life and training.
While training for my black belt, I used my hypnosis training and recorded several hypnosis sessions to listen to nightly. I needed to increase my focus and my speed during sparring sessions. I’m little, so I had to use every training advantage I could so I could land my hits on larger and stronger opponents.
Did it work?
YES. My awareness is actually heightened as well. I’ve been known to grab a fork from mid-air when pup’s accidentally flipped it out of his ice cream dish. Shocked silence greeted the table one night at a local restaurant. Nick, my husband, glossed over it with a comment about “mommy’s got mad ninja skills”.
I’ve been meditating since around the age of 12. It’s been one of the best skill my mother taught me (although she’s taught me a lot).
Meditation helps to increase awareness and focus. It can help power through a workout and manage pain. Athletes use visualization techniques all the time to help improve their natural abilities. Meditation, or no mind, helps you to achieve a balance in body and mind. As Stephen Blazac points out in his article, “Zen Buddhists describe it as a mind of no hesitation, no interruption, no mediacy.”
Can you imagine what a skill this is to have in any martial arts encounter? Can you imagine being able to teach that skill to your students or even your children?
Back to the Gym & Loving It
by stacia on May 17, 2010
in Goals, broken bones, change, fitness, marital arts
When I'm focused and sculpting
I’ve been lazy this winter/spring. I seem to let everything else get in the way of getting a workout in (although, my husband would probably disagree….as were at the gym a lot, I just feel like I’ve been slacking).
Work. Play. Meetings. Sleep.
I keep wondering where my previous dedication went? Where is the woman who worked hard and worked out harder? She was up training 2 hours every Saturday BEFORE class to work on her martial arts skills. She powered though painful workouts when her shoulder was screaming at her. (Remember, recovered motorcycle accident victim…all my own doing.)
I think I’ve figured it out. It’s a down cycle.
For all the years of focus, determination, and dedication, my body and brain demanded a rest. A respite. Regardless of the fact that I didn’t really want one. (So for the friends who tell me I need to relax and take a break….this is for you, you know who you are 
) And for the record, I never used to like working out. Oh, as a kid I roller skated, rode my bike, but never was into sports or anything like that. Solo sports are more my speed. I like to challenge myself. Apparently, as an adult, I’ve learned the benefits of working out and I like the results.
And then, sometimes, the subconscious will kick your butt without you realizing it. Your body and brain demand a break.
But, now, it’s time for the break to be over. It’s gone on long enough to actually annoy me. That’s saying a lot.
I need a new goal. Something I’m passionate about. Originally, it was to prove to myself that I could heal and become whole again. Thus, the learning to love the gym and sculpting my body (yes, that’s ME in the picture – whole and healthy and happily adding weight back after dropping way too low – god bless good food and a tan). Next up, black belt…worked 2 years on that one, and finally achieved it, most of it on my own with Sensei’s help. But, the gym and lifting fell to the side.
Now, I need to figure out how to blend it…and determine a new goal. Somehow, after working towards my black belt…I lost sight of the next step. Where am I going now?
How do I find this new goal?
- Read everything health & fitness related I can.
- Talk to business partners, industry experts, etc. to figure out where the challenge is.
- Meditate – look inward to see what it is I want to accomplish next.
Of course, I’m always open to recommendations. What about you? What goals are you setting? Physical, mental or emotional?
PS – I’m slightly tempted to go back to competing, just to get myself refocused…we’ll see. I’m sure I’ll post up the next step. 
Do share yours!
