Sometimes journalling becomes a responsibility. I'm not referring to this kind of journalling, which has its own set of values in one's life. I am referring to the type of journalling that is kept in a small (pocket-size), sturdy little notebook, is written in note form and is kept close at hand for quick retreival so that one can capture the thought, the lesson, the solution, the record, the plan or the inspiration before it is lost.

I have a little red book that I don't leave home without. It comes out throughout the day as I track my training ( number of completed pushups, kicks, situps, forms), find some useful information in the newspaper or in the book I am reading, hear a great tune on the radio, add items onto my 'to do' list, note an important item to pick up at the grocery store, and jot down notes after a sihing or I Ho Chuan class. These type of notes help me stay on track, assess my progress, and accomplish day to day, week to week and longer term goals and tasks efficiently. Combined with my little daytimer, in which I keep track of appointments, tournaments, classes, no-school days and other social events, utilizing the little red book becomes a very useful life-skill.

Recently, I have noticed the need to use the red book in order to fulfill my responsibilties to the people that support me at Kung Fu. The lion dance team is made up of Sifu's Brinker, Playter, Playter, Frietag, LaRoque, and Wilson. And my co-team members are Mr. Tymchuck and Mr. Emery. These people support me and have entrusted me with representing Silent River at a number of Lion Dance functions this summer. They have also invested a considerable amount of their personal time to teach and attend extra practices. In order to hold up my end (or the head), I feel that I must learn everything they take the trouble to teach me, within a reasonable amount of time and perfect the moves to an acceptable standard in time for the performances. I don't want to forget anything they mention, but there is so much to learn, that I have to take actions that will enable me to remember and internalize the learning. My little red book has helped me with this responsibility. After each lesson or practice I have repeated the key points back to the sifus, and then bee-lined it to my red book to write everything down. Even the act of writing things down helps me internalize the lesson. Before the next practice or performance, I will go through the dance routine in my head and study the notes I made from the last lesson. Only by doing this, do I feel that my progress is at a pace that honors everyone on the lion dance team.