911: Lessons Learned from the Emergency Room (Part 1): Are You In?

Sorry to be the one to say this, but it is true.

Anyone who says differently is either selling something or simply refusing to be honest.

Without trying to sound condescending or discouraging, I simply want to state the obvious and remind my readers that you are not alone. This is a universal truth.

I like the way this quote sums it up...

"When things are going well for you, be glad,

 When trouble comes, consider: happiness exists along side troubling times.

You never know what is going to happen next."

We all experience good things in our lives and likewise we all experience obstacles and challenges. If you are in a time of enjoying the good, don't become too elated, but remain level headed for this will not last.

Likewise, perhaps the encouragement you need to hear today, if you are currently experiencing troubling times, be encouraged for this too will not last.

Better days and better seasons are ahead.

Stating this, please allow me to share my reason for doing so. Last week, it so happens, that life's challenges pressed in on my personal life. So much so, that I found myself facing what appeared to be a medical emergency.

The Scenario

Early last week, I woke with the symptoms of gradually losing control of my facial functions. Without delay, not knowing what it was, I immediately took it serious. Surrendering to my pride, I rushed off to the emergency room. Upon arriving, I was immediately met with the highest of attention, taking the perspective of watching me closely for symptoms of a stroke. Now, before I go any further, I will give you the spoiler alert, I do not want anyone to un-needlessly worry, I am fine. I did not have a stroke and it turns out I am even more healthy than suspected.

However, at the time, these were the assumptions being made and precautions being taken.

The Question

I was assigned to a wonderful nurse who kept me under a close, watchful eye for the next couple hours. I was sent for a CAT scan and then an MRI in addition to a plethora of all kinds of bloodwork and tests. All came back with a clean bill of health.

*(So clean, it turns out, that my cholesterol levels are so low, the doctors recommended I immediately eat a pound of bacon as treatment).

Sorry, I digress. Back to the question. 😀

While under urgent care, the gentleman asked me a very pointed question. He asked directly and to the point:

"I am terribly sorry to have to ask this, but I need to know. If for some reason, things go bad really quickly, do you want me to perform life saving procedures?"

Wow! I was not expecting that.

Yet, surprisingly, this was not the first time I was to answer this question. 

The Choice

I can tell you at first, although I had heard the question, I wasn't really sure what he was asking. For in the question there were tonal inferences and permissions, as well as personal inquiry and professional readiness.

I can tell you for certain, that in his question, he was not asking me if I wanted to stay alive. No, he was clearly asking me if I wanted to live! He was asking me if I was ready to fight to live!

He was asking me if I was all in!

In those moments, I was being asked about my intent, my desire, my passion and my strength. He wasn't asking me if I could overcome, he was inviting me to overcome.

This is where my mind shifts to Wing Chun. We’re not training Wing Chun to add days to our lives (although daily exercise and daily Wing Chun practice does add to our overall health and well-being),

We train Wing Chun to add life to our days.

I have heard Sifu say something similar many times to date...

"You have heard it said that you only live once.

This is incorrect.

You only die once, you get to live everyday!"

It's what we decide to do with the life that we have that matters. This is why I believe in the Lancaster Wing Chun Association and also why I believe in those who work to make it a special place. There must be a place where we can show up as our best selves.

I believe our members agree with this.

If the walls could speak, I imagine hearing them say about the voices in the room,

"We want to live!"

 So, please allow me to ask you the question.

How committed are you?

... to living not just existing.

... to growing, learning, changing, succeeding.

... to chasing the purest desires of your heart.

... to building relationships that matter.

... to (fill in the blank)

Are you all in?

Are you in for living!

Are you in for adding life to your days!

 Are you in for living with happiness and gratitude. 

Are you in for improving your life and improving the lives of others.

Are you in?

The truth is, I asked myself this question many years ago. It is actually why I do what I do and why I live the way I live. It is why I love Wing Chun. It is why I opened the school and it is why I want to share it with as many people as possible.

If I have ever said anything so important about the Lancaster Wing Chun Association, it is this, everyone needs a place to go where they can be their best selves. If even only for two hours, we bring our best, we share our best and we take steps in living our best life now.

By doing this, life grows inside of us and overflows into every other area of our lives. 

Thank you for sharing this time and space with me for this season of your life. I am so grateful for what we are building together.

May we have many more days of doing so!!!

"The Lancaster Wing Chun Association exists

to create a place where

people can learn traditional Ip Man Wing Chun

 in a safe supportive environment."