Last night I rocked!

[dwez]

I'm pretty sure we all have that feeling, that your practice was just totally awesome*. Sometimes you can have one fence that feels like you took a few steps forward instead of the usual few steps back. You can have an entire night that just works or even just one fence that eclipses the half dozen failures before that match and the half dozen failures that followed.

Last night was such a night for me, it's nice to keep a record of such things, reminds us we're not all poo at this kendo gig. Feel free to join in when you 'rock' at kendo.


* Although in reality your sensei may believe you weren't that good at all, but there's no harm in a little positive self delusion now and then.

[MartialArtsGirl]

Whenever I think I rock at kendo, I really s*ck. Whenever I think I s*ck, I really rock. Of course it gets confusing, because if I think "Oh I rocked today" and then "well that means I s*cked" then suddenly because I just thought I s*cked, I suddenly rock again...

For me, it's better not to think about it. I do better that way, and also feel less bummed about my kendo. (less bummed when I think I s*ck and less bummed when my bubble is burst) It's great because I've always been so competitive in things and though "Oh I'm terrible at this" or "Oh I'm super awesome at this" but now kendo is helping me get beyond that. I'm not 100% over thinking about it like that, but I am getting there. I am starting to drop the "good" "bad" duality and to just do kendo. Truly wonderful and freeing.

[dwez]

You're right, I've been like that for a few months, just glad to be practicing and dealing with the issues that brings. However, when you feel in the zone it's worth a little celebration.

[1stdan]

BY MAgirls standard. I would like to think i suck all the time, ergo i would actually roc all the time. Unfortunately i know I suck all the time. Bu tI have had my moments, and those I cherish. Great job on rocking or sucking or how ever it went.

[rfoxmich]

I suck at rocking but fortunately I rock at sucking ;-)

[KawazoeTamaki]

Then during next practice,
"Reality Check"

[kanyil]

Yup, long periods of general suckage and on the receiving end of one sided beating from senseis studded by a few rare nights once in a blue moon where everything seems to go right. Rinse and repeat.

Story of my kendo. Sigh.

[b8amack]

I'm definitely in a slump. I blame the muggy damn weather.

[cesarekim]

I blame myself... (I'm kidding b8...)

Same as golf. You pound balls all over the rough and then get that one good hit. Makes it almost worth all the angst of the rest of the game... Of course, if you play golf you obviously have too much time on your hands and should be in the dojo more. I know of at least two hachidan who stopped playing golf because it took too much time...

[nsylver]

I blame myself... (I'm kidding b8...)

Same as golf. You pound balls all over the rough and then get that one good hit. Makes it almost worth all the angst of the rest of the game... Of course, if you play golf you obviously have too much time on your hands and should be in the dojo more. I know of at least two hachidan who stopped playing golf because it took too much time...

Agree and disagree. Unless your life solely revolves around Kendo, then there should be time for some golf at least. However Kendo is not just an activity, but rather a way of life. However, golf can be a way of life to some as well, it's just how you measure your priorities. At one time I was a scratch handicap right handed and a six handicap left handed, but no longer do I partake in the golfing world. I just feel more satisfaction from Kendo.

[cesarekim]

Life balance was really the point of the post. My life in college was rather different from now. Back then I could do all the fun things and study (with mixed results) as well. With a full time job that keeps me away from the family during the week, I can't even imagine going out to the links for 4 hours on weekends while also attending the mandatory kendo seminars and competitions. There are a lot of things I would love to do if I had infinite time and money. I will spend as much time as I can with the family, attend my son's games, attend my daughter's events and use all of their goodwill as far as attending kendo events. Adding golf or some other activity that requires a certain level of dedication is just not in the cards for me.

[ThePoetWarrior]

anyone take time for hockey? cross checking really helped with taiatari ... all joking aside, those days when i know i've done my best and i've done something i didn't think i could do before that makes me feel less sucky and like i had a good practice. i know i still suck a lot but it's those little moments if i connect with a good kote or land a decent men-kaeshi-do that make me feel like what i'm doing and the hours i'm putting in are coming out in my fighting.

[Chris Sauthoff]

I started keeping a written journal when I got "serious" about Kendo. Making sure to note what we practiced, what concepts were taught, anything Sensei said to me personally. General feelings. Moments of Zan Shin, Fudo Shin or Shi Shin. Etc.. I found it very helpful. Even now after a long break in practice, my journal has been of great use. My bad habits laid before me in a book! My good points too.
Of coarse some days One will be more "in tune" than others. That is natural.

[Tort-Speed]

A journal's a good idea: a dojo-mate writes about each opponent he practiced with, while most people are doing warm-down stretching or heading for
the showers. He says if he waits til he gets home, hard to recall who did what to whom and why.

[dwez]

I also had a journal for a while but my asterisk above illustrates one's opinion can often be biased. Meanwhile I sucked last night, I think it had something to do with being bundled across the dojo floor, tripping backwards over the bogu bags and flat onto my back through the door to the store cupboard. It took two people to pick me up and I was useless for the remainder of the night. I did overcome my fears and faced my opponent later where I achieved my best ippon [if only my kiai had equalled the awesomness of the cut] of the night. Still I feel I ended up in debit not credit... however, I was great on July 7th!