Lisa Clark's Journal (46)

The beginning of the new year is always a great time for reflection. This last week in particular has been full of meditation.

Looking back on the last year, specifically the UBBT, I took on too much and too little at the same time. What I mean is I was capable of everything I committed to, but I was overconfident in my response to the unexpected life challenges. It was a big year last year. Just a few of the life changes: committed to UBBT Team 7, scheduled my life around the…

Lately, I have felt silent. There have been lots of ideas for a journal, but when the time comes to write it out? The ideas fall flat. Last night is worth writing about.

For 5 years I have had the same fitness goal: to keep up with my nephew Luke. All the push ups, crunches, miles, kata, all of it, is to be fit enough to play with my now 5 year old nephew at his level. Yesterday, that goal was accomplished! 

Luke was in town visiting grandma. She needed a…

Proverbs is known as a book of wisdom. I like to think of it as a book of perspective. Sure its the same thing in a way, but reading a book of wisdom is daunting. A book on perspective sounds more digestible.

 There were a few passages that gave more perspective than most.

Proverbs 4:23-27 “Above all else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix…

Gi. The uniform worn in martial arts.

Gi. The first code of Bushido.

Gi. The right way.

2011 has been tumultuous with the UBBT commitment, a few bouts with the flu, a new job, conscientious diet changes, deaths in the extended family, a best friend leaving for officer training, stepping in when Mr. Oliver was on the Alabama Project, and more…

Most importantly, the new job. All the other aspects of life were at least balanced before the new work schedule robbed me…

My last journal concentrated on numbers, meeting goals, and motivation. Today is a report on spirit.

Today was the 6th Annual Niello VW Ranch Run.  There were some VWs I hadn't seen before and some old favorites. Tin cans, pimped out racers, campers and off roaders. Valve cover races down a killer ramp were even more popular this year than last. The Blackboard Bug was out again, decorated by children of all ages in imaginative chalk art. The bake sale was overflowing with…

April is a new start. First step is to take stock. I have been avoiding entering the numbers into my spreadsheet. I knew the sprained thumb, stomach flu, and hip injury took a lot out of me last month. The numbers were sure to reflect it. Tonight I faced my the spreadsheet and was surprised to find encouragement.

I was encouraged because as I entered the numbers they were more motivating than deflating. I did how much despite the challenges? I am awesome! I have lost 15 pounds since…

A few people have asked me what books I'm reading, or planning to read. Here is my list in the random order they happen to be stacked in...

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

High Maintenance Relationships: How to Handle Impossible People by Les Parrott III, Ph.D.

The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal…

There is so much to reflect on in the last two weeks. The tournament was quite an experience. So was the class at the Joslin dojo. There was also my green belt project at Ride To Walk. All this seems hazy though. In the UBBT spirit is perseverance, here is the last two weeks assembled from loosely written reflections after the events and foggy memory.

The tournament was my second ever attended. The first was seven years ago in the bay area. Both felt overwhelming. Where do I…