WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

I came away from a meeting last night and was very upset.I guess I am still missing the point of volunteerism, of being part of a team, the expectations of the recipients of the time the volunteers give them. We live in a time where to help others means to give them money. It's easy, right, pick something you think might be a good cause, give your money and your home free. Hey, I can feel good about changing the world now I gave my five bucks to help. My problem is this, I don't know that my five bucks ever sees the true destination of the needy cause, and after getting two, three calls a day from needy causes I have become tired of the calls. I start to wonder if the money ever does any good. You give the five bucks this time and the next thing you know a few months later and guess who's on the other end of the phone again asking for more money? So I think to myself what if I give my time to help a needy cause. I am giving a service that I can feel good about, I can be the one that, so to speak, that the buck stops here. I think I am a part of a team of people who feel the need and have shouldered the responsibility . I can give my time, sweat equity , and I know that the need is being met with no money involved.
I know this way of thinking is not for everyone, I seen and felt it tonight. We still want something out of it. Sure I will sign up, but what will you give me back. Me? , well I want to feel useful, I want to have done something good, within my ability and be given, yes, a pat on the back,"wow look at that Sifu cleaning those sidewalks and in her condition" I crave to be a useful part of society and since I don't earn a dollar amount for what I do day to day I give the only way I can, my back, my sweat, and my compassion . I am not a great leader, I can't stand in front of a group of people and motivate them with words, hell I have trouble just getting my point across in everyday conversation, but I can show people by example,the problem is someone has to be watching.
I have come to the conclusion that I am a solider,give me a task that I can sink my teeth into and I'll do my best for you, but when it comes to organizing I think that would be better left to other people who think in those terms.
I hope this doesn't come across as a pity party, this is as good as it gets for me with words. If you want me to help give me an end result, if you want my money(what little of it I have personally) show me what your doing with it and how I can help,otherwise it feels like another hand out and I am jaded with that line of thought.
I am waiting to be enlightened, am trying to keep open minded, show me that way and I will do my best to lend you my back and hands.
Still in the dark,
Linda Shipalesky

LOOK AT ME!

This week I found myself inspired by a fellow student. She has been struggling with push ups. She can do ten but the added ten for her belt level has be challenging .So I was doing a bad job of trying to show her what she needed to do and found myself down on the floor beside her struggling myself to do ten. Much to my surprise I DID TEN ! Now I won't pretend they were perfect or easy, but it was a start. By the end of the week I could do twenty, again they weren't easy. I am sure this is the beginning of a new start. For me this is a big deal one year ago I had to work very hard to walk :)
See you all soon , could be I'll be doing push ups !
Linda

off and running

So I did it I joined the ubbt again or should I say I Ho chuan? It will be a year next month since I had the stroke so I am eager to move forward. I have started doing my numbers for the challenge ahead. I have been making about 10 k. a week, walking,biking etc. I have also restarted to learn tai chi form. I just completed number four and begun number one. So I feel like that's a good start. I know I am in for a real workout as a lot of my muscle mass was lost, but I am sure I can get it back. Remembering everything,... well that will be another issue. One step at a time
Linda

Black belt?

This week we have been talking about what a black belt is. What quality's make a black belt . As we all know a person who is truly a black belt lives the life of one. It carries throughout their lives. So someone just meeting one will not always know that they have a black belt but will feel something special , a little ,perhaps mystical about them. I had an encounter with just such a black belt this week.
People who know me are aware I have been struggling with my health this last six months. A lot of this is mental health. I have been fighting fear and panic. The thought that my body may betray me again. It can take over your life. Take a once independent person and turn them into a recluse , one afraid to be by themselves or be away from home.
I am a firm believer in putting out there what you need, prayer or whatever you might believe. Things have always come to me in my time of need or something I can do for some one else in need of me.
Such a person showed up in my life this past week.
Sifu Kristian Olsvik came into my life with just what I needed. In case you don"t know him he was in the demo at our new years celebration . He also inspires us to feed one thousand people in (Cat man do ?) each year. He studied the art of ancient Thai massage while he lived there.He is a great example of a black belt who truly lives the life of his convictions .
He got in touch with me after he heard about my medical challenges. I seen him three times over a week and was treated to a ancient thai message. If you have never had one you're in for a surprise. For the person receiving the treatment it is calming but for the practitioner it can be taxing physically. Each treatment lasts a least an hour and a half. After the treatment Sifu Olsvik gave me exercises to work on to help me improve my balance and flexibility. He has a vast base to tape into for help with the mind.
Sifu Olsvik never asked for money for any of his time or expertise. I felt he was sent to me at my time of need. I will be forever grateful to him for his compassion and gentle caring.
I would encourage any of you with injuries old or new to seek him out and let him help you. I know Kung Fu can be full of strains and injuries that we incur upon ourselves. Relief my be just a phone call away.
I am blessed with my people in my life who encourage me and support me in my day to day struggles I do not mean to make them feel that I don't need or appreciate them. They have thought me how to except help when I need it. Not always easy to do for most of us.
So next time you are wondering what a black belt does, don't be judgmental of what you see on the outside but take the time to know what they are about on the inside you might be pleasantly surprised.
Thank you Sifu Olsvik
Linda Shipalesky

LIFE

It's been over two months since I have posted anything here. A lot has happened and needless to say I am not going to bore you with my health issues.
I read Sifu Masterson's blog this week and am inspired to add to it. She talks about her fitness routine and how it keeps her focused. She has definitely got the right idea. The advice I have been getting repeatedly from all the different medical specialist is "KEEP FIT". Even if your body betrays you in some unforeseen way the better condition you are in the better chance you have of surviving that said event. It takes sixty minutes at least three times a week to keep an adult in decent shape. The more vigorous the exercise the less time you need to do. For example is you are running you would need to do thirty minutes a workout instead of sixty.
The other thing that has also has been key in my recovery has been my mental health. So when Sifu Brinker talks about our attitude, empathy and compassion he couldn't be more right. Keeping a sunny disposition and making yourself see the "CUP HALF FULL" is not easy to do when faced with adversary Do yourself a favor and look after the simple things in your life, keep your friends and family close and live in the present moment
Linda