The Year of the Rabbit

Today is the beginning of the year of the Rabbit, and today is also the beginning of my journey with the Ih Ho Chuan Team. I am both nervous and excited for the challenges that lie ahead. In this post I would like to briefly talk about who I am, and why I joined Kung Fu.

First of all, if I haven’t had the chance to meet you yet, Hello! Thanks for stopping by my blog. My name is Shawn Ritter. I am the oldest of five siblings, and I currently have two Bachelor of Science Degrees; the first in Game Art, and the Second in Chemistry and Computer Science. I returned for the second degree because I wanted to pursue a career in medicine, as a family Doctor. I still dream of reaching that goal, but life sometimes throws curveballs, and to be frank, things have not gone as I expected or hoped. I still believe that I can one day achieve that goal, and I am hoping to continue that journey when the time is right.

There were and are three primary reasons why I want to become a Doctor; the first reason is that Doctor’s have a fantastic opportunity to help their communities. The second is that it is difficult to become a Doctor, becoming a doctor is a challenge that requires dedication and commitment to achieve. The third is that a Doctor will always have a role to play in their communities. To summarize, Doctor’s help their communities, they work hard to build mastery, and they will always be needed. While my Kung Fu journey has only just begun, I have seen that the things which attract me to becoming a doctor appear to be present in the Kwoon as well.

Firstly, there is the community aspect. Since joining Kung Fu I have made several new friends and I have met many people who are genuinely committed to helping those around them. As I look through the requirements for the Ih Ho Chuan program it is undeniable that this program is designed to build people who are engaged with their community and who seek to help those around them wherever and whenever they can.

Secondly, there is the element of mastery. Kung Fu requires ongoing practice and refinement. It is difficult. It takes time and effort to learn and it pushes its practitioner to become better. To improve in Kung Fu requires dedication and commitment, and I believe that facing this challenge is an accomplishment of worth.

Thirdly, I believe that Kung Fu offers stability and support for our team. No one, no matter how skilled or strong can face all that life offers on their own. Kung Fu offers a place where we can support each other and help to build each other up. Everyone needs people that they can trust and who will push them to become better than they currently are. I believe that Kung Fu and the community that arises at the Kwoon can help to provide the support and community that we all need.

I am still new to Kung Fu, and I am a white belt who is still struggling with my basic forms. However, I have been blown away by the community of people that I have met since I began this journey. I have made new friends and seen people who are kind, yet strong. People who care and are skilled, yet willing to stay late and help without complaint. In my limited time here I have seen a community that cares for and supports each other. In our modern world it is so easy to become disconnected and remote from each other, yet here I can see that there is a community. There is a desire to help others and there is support for each other. There is a challenge here that is worth facing, and I am excited to join the Ih Ho Chuan team this year as we seek to better ourselves and each other.

As I look at the Ih Ho Chuan challenges of this upcoming year, I know that things will be difficult. Yet, I also know that the challenges ahead are worth facing, and I take heart that we will be facing these challenges together. I look forward to training with my team members and in growing in my community and in my competency.

Shawn Ritter