The Gratitude Thread

[James L]

Mmmmm!

1: For both parents for their inspiration and nurturing.
2: For all of the negative perspectives that chellenged me to free myself.
3: For the Charlatans that helped me find geniune teachers.
4: For the Genuine teachers that have had major influence in my growth; Sigung Wong Kiew Kit, Ruby Worthy and David Loxley.
5: All of the people I have ever crossed paths with.
6: All in the plant, Animal and Mineral Kingdom
7: The Elements
8: The Stars for the reminder that life is more than stress and work
9: Joy and hapiness
10: Great Spirit and all things.

J

[James L]

Hi Joan, thanks a million for this thread. I wrote out a list of 10 things to be grateful for as I was finishing my days work and soon after left. On the drive home I felt relaxed with a sense of joy/bliss and feel some understanding why it would be useful to acknowledge what we have in life and why Sigung helps us to open up to the idea of gratitude.
Thank You,

James

[Joan]

Dear James,

Thank you for your very kind words and I am so glad that you like, and are enjoying the benefits of this thread.

Enjoy each moment!

Smile from the Heart

Joan

[Chiahua]

I would like to extend a special thank you for the Shaolin Wahnam London group for allowing me to train with them and for introducing me to one of the oldest chip shops in Britain (thankfully they've updated their interior a bit since they opened). The class is under expert supervision and they a nice training hall!
I'd also like to extend a special thanks to Sijat Martin for doing a bunch of the coordinating!
And finally, I'd like to thank others for extending invitations and general hospitality—I look forward to meeting you be it in the UK or elsewhere!
And of course thank you Sifu for creating a world wide network of kungfu practitioners, such that I can go thousands of miles and train with friendly people who I've never met (in real life), and yet share the same thread of tradition!

Humbled,
Chia-Hua

[Martin Do]

Thank you

Dear Chow Sisuk,

Thank you for your very kind words towards the brothers and sisters at the London Kungfu class.

I too very much enjoyed your company, the conversations we had, the opportunity to practice with you and the opportunity to get to know you. Furthermore, your visit created an opportunity for me to spend some time with my class mates outside of class which I really enjoyed, so thank you for this Sisuk.

I look forward to seeing you again Sisuk whenever this may be. Until then, I wish you success with your practice, more joy and happiness.

Best wishes

Martin

[Erica]

With gratitude for Guan Yin Pusa, for filling me with joy whenever I call to Her and pray from my whole heart.

With gratitude for Sigung, for calling us all from far and wide, gently guiding us back towards that joy.

With gratitude for Sifu Emiko, for teaching me that there are no mistakes.

With love,
Erica

[shaolin_mike]

I thought this song fit the theme of gratitude.. here´s one for celebrating the small things in life ^^

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqbB8aPD1UU&NR=1

[mike3396815]

With gratitude for Sifu Emiko, for teaching me that there are no mistakes.

Wow, I starting crying with happiness as soon as I read this, haven't done that in a while. I must have needed to hear it.

So thank you Erica and Sifu Emiko, for teaching me that there are no mistakes

[JimmyB]

Hello all,

I'm grateful for all the help I recieved when flying home from Thailand with a foot injury that would have left me jumping on one foot trough three different airports if not for all the wonderful people working for the airlines/airports.

I'm also grateful for realizing that helping others as well as getting helped by others are some of the greatest things in life.

With much gratitude
Jimmy

[martialartsmarj]

Yi Jin Jing in Ireland

Deep gratitude to Sigung and my Sifu Joan, for the opportunity to train in this wonderful Art. Your generosity is an inspiration

Maria

[Joan]

Dear Shaolin Wahnam Family and Virtual Kwoon readers,

You know when you feel so blessed that you want to burst with joy and gratitude?

I am so blessed that I am bursting with joy and gratitude

With deepest appreciation to Sifu, Sigung Ho, Sigung Lai and all the past Masters.

Smile from the Heart,
Joan

[Martin Do]

Dear Joan Siguma,

You know when you feel so blessed that you want to burst with joy and gratitude?

I certainly do Siguma .

When I feel like I have adviced and helped people around me well, I know why. With my improved good health, I know why. When I notice that I am constantly very centered, I know why. When I notice that I am constantly happy, I know why. When I enjoy the food in front of me so much, I know why. When I enjoy the music I listen to so much, I know why. When I enjoy the "so called" mundane chores, I know why. When I notice that I sleep so well, I know why.

When I notice these things, I have a little smile from my heart and am filled with joy and gratitude .

Thank you past masters, thank you Sigung, thank you Joan Siguma, thank you everyone at Shaolin Wahnam.

With my best wishes

Martin

PS - Oh, and when I notice I am getting a little bit stronger and my Kungfu is improving a little bit, I know why .

[AndrewFromCT]

The things I am grateful for:
being alive, healthy and well(physically and mentally)
my house
food(especially being able to choose what food I eat)
my beautiful wife
my lovely son
the newborn on the way
being able to provide for my family
my job
being able to practice genuine chi kung(especially the most complete chi kung I know)
being able to learn from a great and powerful instructor(many thanks,Sifu Blohm.)
Sigung Wong for a chance to learn these arts

[Zhang Wuji]

Filial Piety

I was debating where I should put this post because this is a very, very touching clip on filial piety, and it deserves to be showcased. Then I remembered we have this Gratitude thread. I wonder who the genius who produced this is. Anyway, please take just 3 minutes to watch this entire clip on filial piety. Remember to click on the version with English subtitles if you don't understand Mandarin (the song the mother is singing is in another Chinese dialect)

[Joan]

Filial Piety

Dear Wuji,

That is so beautiful, thank you!

Filial piety is our topic on the Shaolin Laws tonight in class. I think all I need to do is show this video.

Smile from the Heart,
Joan