Following Edge

As uncertain as I have been about writing here, I should get around to documenting that I have been learning Tae Kwon Do for 2 months before I document my success or failure at testing for a yellow belt tomorrow.

Anne Marie and I had decided that we'd like Lauren to be involved in martial arts training, so that she could have a "leg up" in self-defense and general confidence. I also think that martial arts are a good match for her weekly ballet classes, as both are really about training your body and developing a skill that works your mind and body together.

Anyhow, as you can see in this picture, my mother and I both decided to also sign up as well. All three of us have been taking classes (aka "working out") at the US Tae Kwon Do College that is adjacent to my office building in Eugene. After almost exactly two months, all three of us are ready to take the test tomorrow that may earn us our yellow belts. (Currently, we have white belts, which anyone can get by just showing up.)

The tests require Lauren to know the "5 tenets of Kae Kwon Do" (courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indominable spirit), two kicking combinations, two self-defense maneuvers, and "hello", "goodbye" and the numbers 1 to 10 in Korean. Us adults also need to know "poomse taekwondo" and two one-step sparring maneuvers. I think we are all ready for the test, despite (or because of) some serious catch-up work this week.

We have all really been enjoying our Tae Kwon Do work. We always feel much better physically and mentally after each session. What could be better? Well, the best part is the owner of the school, Grand Master Lee, and the many wonderful members of the Do-Jang who selflessly help one another. I will write more about the wonderful community at the school... especially if i pass tomorrow's test.

I didn't tell everyone, but, in January, I felt like I'd reached the best point in my life. Between being mostly relaxed about work while accomplishing good things, getting things done around the house at a mostly relaxed pace, taking time off work and household chores to spend more relaxed time with Lauren, how could things be better?

Perhaps I could say that I am only mostly through my 18 month (or more) journey in making my life less anxious and depressed, in getting closer to people and things that I love (like this horse riding picture from this fall), and in focusing on what's good for me. I could say that I can still be a bit more relaxed about things, that I could be better connected to the people I love, that Anne Marie and I could be even further along with our goals, and that I could be even more exactly where I want to be. But, who wants to be at the end of the journey?

Now, especially after my first trip to Hawaii reminded me not to worry about things when there is no problem (a'one he pilikia, again), I could barely be happier and I can only look forward to the ever-improving future, even if there could be financial trouble, hard work, and unending chores ahead. It's all in how you look at it.

And no, you skeptics, I'm not high... at the moment. Just pleased and mostly relaxed.

My focus on relaxation has cut out some of my time writing here. I'm kind of enjoying that my recent 6-month blog sabbatical has served to take some of the "audience pressure" away. Now I'll continue to find my motivation for writing without that pressure. Stay tuned.