Lisa Spagnolo’s journal mirrors my own thoughts. It was aptly titled “Repetition and the New Normal.” My own life is restructuring. There is a new ‘normal.’ Its not just the UBBT requirements. Financial ventures are new and more satisfying than before. I’ve wanted to nanny for a long time. Two families have recently presented the opportunity. Its developing deeper patience, …
UBBT Week 2 Focus
My mom has joked about my selective hearing tor years. I would be so consumed by a task that nothing else existed. Not her voice, dinner, the cat jumping onto the table, my cup spilling, nothing. This might be considered focused. But lately I’m learning a different type of focus. In yoga, the instructor guides the class through 26 poses …
Repetition and the New Normal
Over the course of my working life as a manager, I have occasionally heard the question “when are we getting back to normal?” The answer is usually “this is the new normal.” Time passes, and whatever change that was met with resistance is often incorporated into routine–until the next changes come, and they come fast these days. It goes without …
UBBT Day 7
Day 6 was hard. It made waking up today, Day 7, tough as well. Bodily aches and sore muscles are very satisfying though. Its like they’re saying, “You survived yesterday’s challenge. Get ready for today!” There was a lot to look forward to today. I have started watching some very cute girls a couple days a week. They were the …
UBBT: Letter of intent
In 2010-2011 I will be participating in the Ultimate Black Belt Test to empower my mind, body and to accomplish the requirements to be able to test for the rank of Sho Dan. I plan on doing the following: 150 push-ups daily 150 crunches daily Approximately four 2-minute rounds of sparring (any style) 5-days a week 3 repetitions of all …
UBBT Letter of Intent
I realized I had been talking about my goals earlier but hadn’t yet posted my letter of intent. Here are my stated goals for the Ultimate Black Belt Test, some of which intersect well with some things that were already in mind. I have really appreciated how lessons at the dojo have contributed to a developing practice of discipline, which …
UBBT Day 6
Sore. Achy. Grouchy. Sunday’s everything hit like a ton of bricks but I pushed through to finish the daily requirements before class. Even a little prideful that I did 6 miles instead of 3. My knees are suffering for my pride… Then in class we did a third set of exercises. Yes. A third set. All but the last crunches …
UBBT: Week 1 (ish)
Week 1 So, it’s not really been a week yet, but I’m a the Monday – Sunday week kinda’ gal, so… This week felt good. I’m able to get a lot in during my hour lunch break which is pretty lucky. I slip away from my desk right at 12 and am out the door for my run by 12:05. …
UBBT Mission Statement
My Statement of Intent Over the next 13 months I will: Complete 50,000 push-ups and 50,000 sit-ups Complete a 1,200 mile journey by swim/bike/run/walk Complete 1,000 repetitions of my basics/kata Complete 1,000 acts of kindness Complete a community service project Meditate for 15 minutes a day Read 6 books Complete 1 personal goal: 10k in less than 50 minutes I …
UBBT Day 5
Sunday. Not a day of rest this last weekend. My aunt is moving rather unexpectedly and the whole family is helping. The day’s objective was to move the garage, storage shed, books, games, movies, other media and glass into storage. An early start and off we went to Escalon with muscles ready. I was a bit concerned when we left. …