grim23 | Body, Mind, Emotion, Spirit

Body:

I’ve started hitting the gym most days I’m not in the dojang. I run on the treadmill, hit the weights, and sweat in the dry sauna. My legs and chest ache most days, and my knee gets a bit swollen, but physical therapy is about discipline and will, and I believe I am getting stronger. Kata, and hyung, and walking at lunchtime, are helping my body and mind.

I am tired and ready for sleep by midnight my time (about 9pm Oregon time), and I am trying to be in bed by then. Change and growth of muscles, as well as my life, seem to mean I need my sleep. You’ll probably get my voicemail if you call after 9pm PST, but I’ve usually got my cell phone on by 4pm Oregon time. There’s a three hour time difference, ya’ll.

Mind:

Well. I’ve completed my first week on the ward. I’ve done my first initial psychological evaluation (has to be done within 7 days of admission to the ward), and observed two others. I’ve co-led three groups, gotten some good clinical supervision, and started to figure out the ward. I have a lot of work to do on my write-ups and case conceptualization, and the way that Psychology is integrated into the treatment milieu.

Tang Soo Do has also represented a challenge. I have to undo all of the way I perform kata, and empty my tea cup, and relearn hyung. The direction is the same, but the stances, the turning of the head to look where you’re going, the focus, the loading, and the chambering are all different. A challenge I am embracing, and breathing through, daily. Today I watched the certification test, and I believe that our dojang has about 5 new black belts. I learned a lot, and improved my own techniques.

Emotions:

My chakra-balancing exercises and my breathing continues, and I’m still working on balance. I have an opportunity to work on myself without much supervision except for myself until Halloween, working on True/Kind/Necessary communication, breathing, and balance and congruent thinking.

I have enjoyed my communication with Tam and the BF, as well as the Daimyo, and I’ve gotten a lot of practice with not judging others and being clearer in my words, including my words to myself. I have much reading and meditating and practice to do.

Spirit:

I have gotten a chance to go back to Biker Church and reconnect with the local bikers. I even got Prairie Kittin on the Prayer List. I’ll probably go for a ride with some of them soon.

I’ll miss Fall Eq this year, but I’ll be sending energy and having my own ritual. All ya’ll have a great Equinox, now, y’hear?