The road goes ever, ever on...

[Wayward Walker]

 "Once, long ago, a young man set out from home. He placed his feet on the path and began to walk it. Soon, however, his attentions were stolen not by the beauty and the wonder around him, but the trappings of the world and society. Lured off his path, up onto a platform and set into a wheel that gave him the illusion of constantly moving, yet in truth going nowhere.

 

He labored there for decades. Plodding forward, step-by-step, the wheel ever turning, but nothing ever changing for him. Then one day the man, who had aged from a young man, to one with a weary step, a bent back and a troubled mind, saw a flower; just off the platform from his wheel. A beautiful flower that shone brightly in the early morning sun, dripping with dew. He wanted to see that flower, and so the man stepped off the wheel.

 

He walked to the flower, knelt to smell it, as the wheel had taken all the strength he had to bend. It was the most beautiful scent he had ever encountered. When he stood back up, he saw the path, still there, waiting for him. Down the path he could see a bend and another flower, a different flower. He wanted to see it. So the man set his foot on the path and he journeyed to the second flower and the bend in the road.

 

Ever since that day, the man, tall, proud a member of the barbarian tribes, has continued to walk the path. He has an idea of where it leads, but in truth, he doesn’t care. He looks forward to the next bend in the road, the next flower growing wild on the side, and he smiles."

 

 

1) The Journey - Recoverying fully - I recently had a RFA (Radio Frequency Ablasion) done on my back. I have degenerative disc diease in my lower back, a bulging disc and a pinched nerve. With the RFA done I have almost zero pain. It will only last for 6 months to a year, so it is time to put that into some good recovery time. I plan to:

1. Tai Chi - three to four times per week 
2. Yoga & Qi Gong - three to four times per week
3. Meditation - Daily

 

2) Along the road...

1. Life Side Quest: I'm a writer, a storyteller, a chronicler. I've recently finished my second novel, which is the first in a trilogy. This challenge's life quest will be to finish the second book in that trilogy by the end of these 6 weeks.
2. Life Side Quest: Whilst in the shower I got the urge to play guitar. So I borrowed a friend's to practice. Additional life side quest: practice guitar 3 times per week for at a minimum 30 minutes.

3) Why I do what I do...

1. My health, first and foremost. I've given the military 19 years of my life and far too much of my health. It is now time for me to take care of myself.
2. I want to dance with my wife. Enough said there.
3. I want the energy back that I know my body can produce. I never nap, I can work all day, I can walk forever, now to recover and get back to where I want to be.

4) Evaluation station... my main goal involves strength, flexibility and wisdom. That is where I will be improving (STR/DEX/WIS).

 

     1.  Tai Chi - 24[A], 18, 12[C], 6[D]

     2.  Yoga/Qi Gong - 24[A], 18, 12[C], 6[D]

     3.  Meditation - 42[A], 35, 28[C], 21[D]

     4.  A - Full points, B - 75% points, C - 50% points, D - 25% points.

 

5) Ultimate goal along the path:

 

[I am Eve]

Welcome to the Druids Waywardson, I am glad you found your way here!

 

Are you already practicing Yoga, Tai Chi and Qui Gong?

You have a very ambitious goal there otherwise.

What will happen in 6 months, will the pain come back?

 

What is it that you write about? Your book must be almost finished if you can conclude it in 6 weeks.... 

 

I look forward the seeing this unfold during the coming weeks here.

Namaste!

[katastrophenkatzchen]

Will there be a problem with exercise and your back?

 This is pretty ambitious.

[LittleTurtle]

Hello!  Is the RFA something that you can repeat if your pain comes back?  I had back pain (probably not near as bad as yours) for years and years, so I can sorta relate.  Gentle yoga helped me get through that and now my pain is very minimal to this day.  

 

Also, how long do you plan to meditate during a session and how many times a week do you plan on doing it?

 

PS - If you get to a point where you never nap, can you please show me the secret?!  I sometimes wonder if I have a mild form of narcolepsy!  

 

Best of luck to you!!

[Wayward Walker]

@Eve - Thank you for the welcome! I'm glad to be here.  I have been doing Tai Chi and Yoga sporadically. I'm currently at sea on deployment, but we're winding down and I'll have more time on my hands.  I'll be increasing both of those and making them a regluar part of my work out regieme.  The Qi Gong I will be adding in. I have a book on it and will be taking classes through the Naval Hospital in San Diego, to learn it   The doctor's said that the RFA would last 6 months to a year, my plan is to reduce my weight and strengthen the muscle around the spine so I do not have to do it agian, but if the pain returns, it can be repeated Oh! And I write all different sorts from Literary Fiction to Paranormal Fiction. The current trilogy I am on is Paranormal. I finished the first book in 5 weeks, and I am currently 1/3 of the way through the 2nd, so I think 6 weeks will be a good pace.

 

@katastrophenkatzchen - I've been slowly testing my back and pain levels vs exercise intensity lately and I was even able to run a mile, which I haven't done in two years, so I am good. It is ambitious. I've done Tai Chi before, so it is something I have some training in, I've done yoga as well, as I have experience with it, the Qi Gong will be the new edition.

 

@LittleTurtle - From what I've been told the RFA can be repeated, they go in with a needle and burn out the nerve endings. I try to meditate 15-20 mins daily. My plan is to improve that and make it regular habit. And I won't say I never nap, there's one situation that induces it, but for the most part, I never feel the need.

 

Thank you all for the welcome and the encouragement!

[Emma]

Hi! Welcome back!

[Wayward Walker]

Thank you, Emma! Good to see you!

[Kiazi]

I'm approving of your goal picture.  

Health itself is always I good motivator. I hope you'll be able to dodge your next RFA!

[Wayward Walker]

Thank you, Kiazi! I am too. The goal picture is far down the road, something I am aspiring to. Thank you for approving of it

[CrazyMags]

I'm on board sir! Though I have to hop on something easier to navigate the forums than my cellphone to learn about your history, I seem to be a bit behind!

I have had back issues because of my hyper-mobility, though strength training has helped me a lot... I also have a sleep disorder that makes me feel drained all the time... So I can understand where you are coming from!

I'm always here if you need some encouragement! <3

Sent from Tapatalk, all errors are the app's fault! ;-)

[Wayward Walker]

Mags! Thank you, so much that means a lot. I also have a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea). Doctor said it's one of the worst he's ever seen, I stop breathing 52 times per hour.  I will definitely look forward to working with you and helping to encourage you as well!

[CrazyMags]

Mags! Thank you, so much that means a lot. I also have a sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea). Doctor said it's one of the worst he's ever seen, I stop breathing 52 times per hour. I will definitely look forward to working with you and helping to encourage you as well!

Scary!!!! That's almost every minute!!! I remember having dreams that I'm drowning and I can't breathe and wake up gasping for air...

Mine is a bit different...it's like narcolepsy, except I just don't go into deep sleep long enough, which means that my sleep is never as restful as a normal person, so I am tired all day...especially afternoon when I'm driving home from work etc.

My doctor seems to think losing weight will help... But IMO, meditation has helped me get a more restful sleep than anything else... I mean, it it makes me fall asleep... Night as well just do it right before bed...right? Lol

Sent from Tapatalk, all errors are the app's fault! ;-)

[Heidi]

Hello!

Regearding the back and the apnea: I have found acupuncture to be very helpful. Might want to look into that when you are back in port.

Looking forward to cheering you on.

[ShadowLion]

Good to see another Tai Chi practitioner among the Renaissance Rebels. You've got some great goals and motivation - looking forward to seeing your fitness and life quest progress this challenge!

[Mad Hatter]

I love that you have dancing with your wife as motivation. Best of luck with the challenge and here's to full recovery!

[The Swedish Ninja]

Seems like a great challenge with some great motivation!

 

The main thing that peaked my interest was the keyword "Taoism". I´m very fond of the teachings, and have read some books and love em. Would be great to have some discussions about it in the thread, if anybody´s interested

 

Also, what kind of Taiji do you do? I practiced a couple of years ago and did the Chen 24 and 48 form, and am thinking about picking up the practise again.

 

Sub´d!

[Heidi]

I read the Tao of Pooh a million years ago. (ok, more like back in 1986/87). Anyone up for a reading of that and discussion?

[LittleTurtle]

Hello!

Regearding the back and the apnea: I have found acupuncture to be very helpful. Might want to look into that when you are back in port.

Looking forward to cheering you on.

I've been curious to try acupuncture for quite some time.  I hear great things about it!  

[Wayward Walker]

@Mags - I have the same with sleep apnea, difficulty getting restful sleep, and I hate my cpap to the point of ripping it off in the middle of the night.  What I've found that helps me get better, more quality sleep is a ritual. I take a long hot shower, a put on a lavendar lotion on my temples, neck and shoulders and read, then go to sleep. Sometimes I use Melatonin, but it gives me crazy, crazy dreams

 

@ShadowLion - TY! I am exicted to be involved.

 

@MadHatter - Ty!!! I saw you were still on here and had to come pester you.

 

@SwedishNinja - I am always up for discussions on Taoism, as I don't have many people to talk with about it.  On the Tai Chi side, I cannot remember what I learned in college, save for how it moved, and I have been reading a lot of books to start learning agian.  Right now I am focusing on breathing and becoming reaquainted with it.

 

@Heidi - I have not tried acupunture, but I will look into it thank you! As for the Tao of Pooh, I have not read it, but I have it at home, once I am back there, and would be up for reading/discussing it.

 

Hope you all are having a great day, mine is just starting

[Sunmage]

Welcome to the druids!

[jedi_mind]

Hey I'm subscribed cousin. Here's to a good six weeks

[AnnieP (respawned)]

Subbing from the Renaissance Rebels. Your challenge looks good. I'd also caution against doing more exercise than your back will let you, but if you're up for it, I say go for it.

[Wayward Walker]

28 July 2014 - Midnight - Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii

 

Wayward, the lumbering barbarian shaman, sits in quiet contemplation. From a burlap rucksack he pulls a worn, beaten book and a journal. He opens it, conciously, to one specific page and reads. He closes his eyes, thinking of what he has just read. After a time, he begins to scribble in the journal. He let's go of thoughts and worries, simply writing, allowing his heart to speak through the moment at hand.  When he is done, he stretches and goes for a walk, leaving the journal for any who wish to read, to do so.

 

Gu, the Chinese character for the word Ancient.

 

Things that had survived for ten generations, passed down orally were considered to be ancient. Gu, the character that represents this idea, is the character for ten and mouth, signifying such. Having stood the tests of time it was seen as powerful and to be studied. Taoism, my path, is guided by nature. Just as everything has its season so too can my life. Looking to nature I can see the ancient lessons play out before me. I can watch them and learn from them. The trees that bend in the strong winds survive the longest. That is a lesson that can be applied to my current season. As I go through this fall, buffetted by winds and rainstorms, remembering that will help me weather them. So too, in the fall, do the trees shed their leaves, casting off all of their glory to prepare for the long winter. They know that when the spring comes they will regrow their foliage allowing them to soak up the rain and the sun, to grow stronger, higher and prouder. It's time to cast off the cares and trappings of spring and summer. To start fresh after the winter passes. Now is the time for self-care, reflection and solitude. Saving for the winter to come, dreaming of the spring to follow.

 

Part of my daily meditation is in writing. I am using Deng Ming-Dao's Everyday Tao "Living With Balance and Harmony".  Each day tackles a specific chinese character and the concept behind it in relation to the Tao. My challenge states meditating daily and this daily lesson and journaling will be part of the habit that I wish to form over the next 6 weeks.  Please feel free to read it, take what you wish from it, comment on it, anything at all. The aspect of Taoism that I love is how personal it is. That there is no right or wrong. That my path is my path, perfect for me; just as your path is your own and perfect for you.

 

Hope you enjoy.

[Heidi]

Thank you so much for sharing this. It will definitely be a page I check in with often, and I will be reading along with you.

 

I like today's character, and the write up. 

It has sparked thoughtfulness in me, and thank you for that.

[Wayward Walker]

You're welcome If it can brighten one person's day than it did more than just uplift me, and I am glad.

 

Reaches into his rucksack and pulls out another, battered journal and begins scribbling:

 

- One hour elliptical intervals for 4.75 miles and 877 calories

- Fifteen minutes morning/evening Tai Chi/Qi Gong

- Fifteen minutes Yoga for healthy back

 

I think most of my day is now complete. Hope you all have a great first day of this challenge.