Week #1 in Review
As indicated by the tardiness of this post, you can correctly assume that my first week of testing has been interesting to say the least. Some of the thoughts I’ve had this week include: I didn’t think...
View ArticleGoal Setting, Goal Tracking
This week’s Beyond the Mat lesson, “Designing Achievable Goals,” was one of the most helpful lessons from my first degree test in 2015. My fellow advanced candidates and I are experiencing surprisingly...
View ArticleProgress is easier to see in retrospect
Welcome, dear reader, let’s travel back in time and review some progress as I’ve missed a few weekly journal entries. Since my last update, we had our annual Bikram yoga experience; a nice, long...
View ArticleZoiks! She’s a Master of Disguise
Sometimes I feel like a Scooby Doo villain. At some critical point during this black belt test, my talented fellow testers will unmask this personae of “CGN Elaine” to reveal the sinister, lazy,...
View ArticleBeyond the Mat Lesson #3: Keeping Your Goals In Sight
This week’s lesson was all about maintaining your focus despite inevitable setbacks. The irony is that this week’s lesson was actually the lesson for several weeks ago, and because of aforementioned...
View ArticleBeyond the Mat Lesson #4: Silver Linings
“It’s all about the process” Wow. This Beyond the Mat lesson is downright anxiety-inducing in my current state of mind, with its focus on “What if I fail?” I don’t want to fail. I finished my checklist...
View ArticleBeyond the Mat Lesson #5: It’s Never a Waste
“If you learn from it, nothing is wasted.” I really liked this lesson’s focus on trying new things with the mindset that there will be some positive takeaway from the experience. I wish I had been in...
View ArticleCGN’s New Groove
Saturday morning, as usual, I was running the first hill on the Freestyle loop. Then, something amazing happened. My legs started to feel tired before my lungs crapped out and asthma set in! On the...
View ArticleThe Hot Mess
My last update was before the pre-test! Gee, that was a while ago. Looking back, this month has had more ups and downs than a bouncey castle. High point: I got my best-ever 400-yard dash at run club,...
View Article5 Ways to Cultivate a Positive Mindset
Beyond the Mat Lesson #6: Change Your Mind and Your Life will Follow This Beyond the Mat lesson is both timely and frustrating. My meditation practice over the last year-plus uncovered some very deep...
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