I’m thrilled to tell you that I’m getting my power back! What I mean by this, is that when I’m throwing karate kicks and strikes I’m able to do so at almost full power. I have lots of snap. This is a huge [and I mean huge] improvement from where I was in April when I was experiencing enormous stress! At that time, I had virtually no power at all.
Two weeks ago, during my last week of teaching, the karate club held a surprise retirement ceremony at the dojo in Sutton. It was organized by Carol and Walt Sankersingh, for which I will be forever grateful.
Someone asked me recently what specific things I have found helpful on my journey with a neurological disorder, both in terms of minimizing the symptoms I experience and eventually leading to my recovery. This is what I listed:
On Monday evenings, I teach four karate classes, beginning with the 4 and 5 year olds at 5:45 PM and ending with the adults at 8:30 PM. During the class for ages 6 to 9, I suddenly found myself fretting over the lack of students. There were 15 students in the class but I was anticipating between 20 and 30. It wasn’t so much that I was fretting about the lack of students, but I also realized that I had taken it a step further and was worrying about the lack of money coming in and where it might leave me financially at the end of the month. I couldn’t believe how quickly I had fallen out of consciousness and into ego [stupid ego as Homer Simpson would say!]. Rather than being grateful for the students who were there, I was feeling very disappointed and fearful about the lack of students.
I recently watched an interview with Jon Anderson, former lead singer with the progressive rock band, Yes. Yes produced a number of hits in the seventies and eighties with songs including Roundabout, Owner of a Lonely Heart and It Can Happen. Anderson talked about his career with Yes and his current musical interests. He also spoke about the interconnectedness of the universe.
The day I received my diagnosis in October of 2008, the neurologist recommended meditation and exercise as the best way to help manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s. When I told him about the amount of exercise I would typically get in a week, he admitted that what I was doing was far more than his clinic could offer me.
Exercise is critically important in healing any health condition. It is essential for a healthy body, mind and spirit! Personally, I love being active and I believe exercise has played an important role in the beginnings of my recovery! The question is what exercise is best? Continue reading
Parkinson’s and especially Parkinsonism have a puzzling list of mild to severe symptoms. Some have little affect on your life while others are downright intrusive.
I love teaching karate. It brings me enormous joy and satisfaction and I am tremendously grateful every night for every student who chooses to attend karate class.
I receive constant feedback from students and parents about how much they enjoy karate and how much they appreciate my instruction. What could be better?
What I enjoy most, I think, is the opportunity to affect people’s lives in a positive way, by helping students master techniques, while developing confidence, respect and a healthy self image. It gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction.
Every once in a while though a parent will tell me about something that happened with their child that blows me away and really reaffirms my love of teaching. The following is one such story:
From Laura…Sam’s mother:
Thought you’d get a kick out this…Sam and Jaden are practically family, and on the weekend they were “playing” and Jaden hurt Sam. Sam retaliated and hit Jaden on the head trying to get back at him. After some time out with me, Sam went over to Jaden and apologized. I watched them from a distance and saw Sam say sorry. Jaden said that it was ok, then they both did the peace over war hand gesture and bowed to each other! (something they learned at karate) Pretty darn cute!!! Made me smile! I love Karate!!!! Laura
And I love karate too. Especially teaching it!
What makes this story so special is that Sam and Jaden are only 4 & 5 years old, respectively. Now how wonderful is that?
I have said many times that I have the best job in the world. I am incredibly grateful that I get paid to do what I love. Speaking which, a student asked me recently if I would rather work at a job that I didn’t enjoy, but paid me lots of money, or work at a job I love and make a lot less money. I told him that given that I had already experienced both scenarios, the answer was easy. I would so much rather work at a job I love, even if it meant making a lot less money, because you can always adjust your lifestyle. As long as you spend less money than you make, you will always get ahead.
I feel very blessed and my wish would be that everyone someday gets to feel the way I do. It’s awesome!!!
Have an awesome day!!
