This project is simply an addition –and not a replacement –to regular journal writing. I’m calling this Directed Writing and Thinking as these ideas, in many ways, hold the keys to being a Master, to being successful in business, to being a great partner, father, friend, student/teacher, and human being.
In fact, I might be so bold as to suggest that these ideas are the only way to live; if you’re not living for these affirmations, then what are you LIVING for? To watch TV? To go shopping?
These affirmations, these words, represent many of the best things in life, the things that inspire music and art and all that is best about being alive. The misguided pursuit of these concepts might very well be the reason people stuff themselves with food or alcohol or drugs or with endless walks through shopping malls buying “things.” There is a need to fill the void; there is a need to BE something that can’t be ingested or purchased.
This is a mindset –a kind of thinking, understanding, and awareness. It is our daily mental training –our meditation.
As members of the I Ho Chuan, we seek to hold ourselves accountable to these things; to engage in thinking and activities indicative of awake individuals; people who recognize the intelligence and wisdom of pursuing this kind of thinking, being, and living.
This project, besides being a method to expand our vocabularies and look deeply at extraordinary ideas, is also about holding each other accountable to being dignified, intelligent human beings.
In the “ultimate” situation, a Master Teacher is a shining light –a vibrating entity –among so much plastic, illusion, and contrived “agenda.” We hold a responsibility to understand the difference between what is valuable –and what is fools gold. The exercise, this year-long investigation and practice, begins with this statement:
I am affirming these things about myself.
I am...
1. exuberant
2. connected
3. a leader
4. an example
5. a student
6. a teacher
7. forgiving
8. an activist
9. humble
10. patient
11. an institution (responsibility, emulate these qualities)
12. proactive
13. resourceful
14. compassionate
15. open-minded
16. quiet
17. listening
18. participating
19. responsible
20. charitable
21. unencumbered
22. self-sufficient
23. thoughtful
24. discerning
25. rational
26. tolerant
27. spiritual
28. meditative
29. joyful
30. educated
31. intuitive
32. an athlete
33. disciplined
34. organized
35. courteous
36. honest
37. brave
38. a warrior
39. an artist
40. am a follower
41. explorer
42. at peace
43 collaborative
44. intrepid
45. excited
46. breathing
47. blessed
48. unburdened
49. receiving
50. a gift
51. conscious
52. engaged (participative)
53. loving
54. my business (I am my product)
55. community
56. in training
57. a beacon
Writing Instructions
Write about these ideas in any way you’re able. I don’t care if your thoughts are long- winded or short; it’s your job to put yourself behind your work in a way that teaches your followers how THEY should/could do it themselves.
The end result of this project is to explore and develop a NEW VOCABULARY of empowerment and philosophy for your school (and perhaps, for your life). The words most commonly used in martial arts schools, “courtesy, integrity, perseverance, indomitable spirit, honor, etc...) aren’t poor choices, but to adequately express and LIVE life, one needs an understanding of a lot of other concepts.
Here we explore the words and ideas behind a new kind of martial arts/life thinking. Do it right and you will have developed something unique to your experience, to your life and thinking and beliefs.
You may write about any of the words, in any order. There are, purposely, enough words to fill every week of the I Ho Chuan project. Members are required to make 30 (or more) entries using the words on this list.