back to normalcy
Whatever that is… Anyway, the 2007 Palmetto Fall clinic ended yesterday. It was four days of classes with some of the best martial arts instructors from all over the US, including Hawaii. Every year is better than the last, and each year I think it can’t get any better, and so far, every time I’ve been wrong.
I’m a little tired, and definitely a little sore, but I had a great time! I spent most of my time in the classes of a couple instructors, whom I’d like to thank but in the interest of not arousing any anger will not mention by name here. They know who they are, and I expressed my appreciation to them in person before the clinic ended. They said some things I really needed to hear, both on and off the mat. I learned a lot on the mat too, and I want to incorporate what I’ve learned into the art I’m currently practicing. Some of it I can’t, but the principles of what I learned can be, and I don’t want to lose them.
Setting aside the physical benefits of the clinic for a moment, there were a lot of mental and emotional benefits too. I’m in a much better place mentally than I’ve been in since probably February or March this year, and I’m happy - happier than I’ve been in a while. I got to see friends that I haven’t seen since the clinic last year, got to hang out with them at the banquet Saturday night - I just had a good time. If you want an idea of what it was like, imagine spending four days immersed in one of your greatest interests, being taught by world class teachers and doing it with them, having them show you how to do it correctly while your doing it, and doing it with a bunch of people that are friendly and continue to come back year after year. Now you have an idea what it’s like.
I’m back to work this morning, back to the “real world”, but it’s different - because I’m different. And that’s a good thing.