Pushups, Empathy, and a New Experience

I participated in the SRKF New Year's tradition of 1000 pushups and situps (although I didn't restrict myself to 1000 calories). Although I didn't really come close to hitting 1000 of either, I'm still happy that I did as many as I did. It was especially challenging for me because I was spending New Year's at my friend's cabin and a portion of the day was spent tobogganing and sledding. Thankfully I was smart enough to get a bunch out of the way before we headed outside. My friends were dumbstruck as to why I would ever want to attempt to do 1000 pushups and situps and, to be honest, their attitude bothered me a bit. I got over it quickly but it made me sad that my friends couldn't see the value in what I was trying to do.

I went to the gym today and it was overrun by "Januarians". In the past I have always been bothered by people that sign up for the gym and go at it for a month or two and then quit. I have always felt that they were less deserving of being in the gym than those of us that have been working out for years, and I wanted them to go somewhere else and let me work out in peace. This year I still felt the initial frustration but I tried to feel empathy. My attitude was pretty ridiculous for someone that just started to study kung fu 4 months ago. What if everyone at SRKF had my terrible attitude? I would have felt unwelcome and unwanted and I probably wouldn't have lasted a week. Thankfully that wasn't the case and here I am. 

Between the gym, traffic, and my trek to West Edmonton Mall, I was a bit frazzled when I got home today. When I practice at home I always start with a little bit of cardio to warm up and it helps to get me energized too. Today I changed things up and started with forms and some kicks. For the first time ever I found that my mind quieted down (I can't usually ever shut my brain off) and I was really able to feel what I was doing. I was practicing punches and blocks in a horse stance and I must have stayed in a horse stance for a few minutes without breaking. I was so focused on my punches and blocks that I didn't feel my legs and hips aching for much longer than usual. This was a new experience for me and hopefully I can replicate it in the future.