December 4 th,2008

40's - sprinkling -Sunrise @7AM Sunset @4:20PM MP Waxing 1/2 moon -Facing NW

I was greeted with a warm winter morning, the moon had long since set but the stars were clear and bright. The Hunter lay in the sky to the East, just over the top off the barn. There were some wispy clouds, but the held the silence in the air. Not the cold silence of winter but the quiet calm that awaits the breaking of a new day. I know at the time I was thinking about the metaphor for our own times, that we too lay at winters threshold. What waits on the other side is not cold and fore bidding, but the light of hope from the shadows.
Going in at 5 today, I miss the songs of my friend. I wonder if they will doubly disappointed that not only won't I be there when they awake, but that I have again neglected to get them more seed.

To help form the goals of this Challenge, I have let the idea of 'Hope' pecolate in my mind and invade my thoughts throughout the day. I caught a clip of Al Gore talking about Hope being about behavior, quoting Ghandi - 'We must become the change we wish to see in the world'. It would seem that people learn best by example, so setting a good example is key. What may be missed is looking for good examples in others, especially children.

Turns out I know a security guard at the mall. While we were having a chat, Santa stopped by on his way back from break. They began telling me stories of parents having to be escorted out because of their behavior waiting in line and at Santa's workshop. Tales of angry parents and relatives was hardly the joyous and hopeful Christmas cheer I'd expected.
Some time later as I passed by Santa's workshop, I stopped for I time to observe people bringing there kids for pictures. I watched as a young girl, perhaps 2 or 3 years old, rushing to Santa. She held her arms out as she approached, fully trusting and expecting to be lifted up
That was the kind of change I'd like to see in the world. Children never cease to give of examples of what is best in us. Hope is about behavior.


Draft Goals- Each one of these must be about behavior, those that bring Hope

Mind - the Mind of a Child, I shall apply Sifu's lessons in learning Hung Guar about 'listening skills & bridging' how can I take what I am passionate about and bring it to my work place. The Core routines as spelled out in Coyote's Guide unlock the power of the mind. But how to 'bridge' them to the modern world and workplace,this will be the goal..the 'invisible school'

Body -Crossfit & the 5 Animals/5 Element form. I need to perform more research on the Paleo Diet. What I've seen so far is interesting but I need to finish the book. I have applied some limited fasting techniques and the King,Prince, Pauper as general guidelines for dieting. I need to become more regular in my practice of spirit plate.

Spirit -Formalize an outline of exercises and progressions for the Challenge. Linked to the Mind goal is the process of journaling...