Well hello friends,
So today I am finally going to take the plunge and speak on this topic that I have desired to write a blog about for a long time now.
The thing that held me back was my lack of ability in the areas that I have been trying to improve upon. I had wanted to have mastery in the areas I want to discuss, prior to writing this blog. Here's the thing, I don't think I will ever be satisfied by my abilities. I will always see some area of where I can improve and how I could be better. It's a never-ending process that you will see some part that could be improved upon. No matter how big or small.
So I've decided that my current ability doesn't actually factor into me writing this blog, I just had a desire to have a grasp on these new skills that I have been building up to be proud of what I have accomplished within these new fields. To say, yes mastery is possible. I have made continued progress forward though, and each day I grow within my abilities as long as I take some time throughout my day to work on these skills.
In some ways it was a selfish desire to toot my own horn and say "look at how good I've become". The thing is I am still proud of the improvement I have managed to achieve. Through my dedication I have gotten better in the areas that I have focused my attention. I still desire to be better and to see myself continue to grow. The difference is that I am learning to accept my own level of ability within a skillset. I may not be where I want to be just yet, but I will get there through consistent dedication.
Anyways, let's get to it!
So I am about to geek out a tiny bit, and talk about an anime that I FREAKING LOVE!!!!
MHA (My Hero Academia) Currently there are 4 seasons, and each season shows the growth of each character within the show. I should mention a slight disclaimer as there will be slight spoilers in regards to the storyline. I will try my best to remain vague and not reveal too much, but that will be difficult to do and fully explain the ideas that have been forming inside my mind hole.
So if you would allow me to take a minute to explain the background and how society exists within this show.
80% of the population has a genetic modification to their gene pool, and of this percentage of the population these individuals all have gained what are deemed as "quirks". Unique abilities that exist within almost every person. Each quirk is different and no one person has the same ability, although there are some that can be similar. The idea is that each person can develop their quirk by utilizing it, and training to accentuate those abilities.
Okay first spoiler, the main character is actually born in the 20% of the population that does not have a quirk. He is "quirkless". Through a bunch of wicked and hilarious events he is gifted a quirk by the most celebrated hero within the universe.
This is an important distinction. He was not born with this ability. He gained it after a few years of his childhood. As such he continuously thinks of this ability as "someone else's". The thing is quirks exist within you, they are you. The main character struggles with this idea that this is his ability, it is his skill. He has to master within himself and control this power.
One of my favourite moments within this show is an "Aha" moment for the main character. During the course of his training he gains the ability to access his quirk in one area, then learns to use the quirk across his entire body, and the general development that he goes through.
The thing that happened is he realized that by accessing his ability within one part of him, and transfering how he activates it and boosts his power output he develops a new skill. Basically put he takes some basic skills and creates a combo by adding them together.
This is the critical point of this writing.
So, I am currently trying to learn how to beatbox and a few other new skills as well but for the purpose of this writing I am going to focus on the skill "beatboxing".
I have been watching different YouTube videos, watching tutorials, and trying to learn how to create new sounds that I can replicate. The most important thing to remember is that these are guidelines and are a general way towards creating these noises. You have to attempt and learn how you best make these sounds. What is the most natural way for you? The other thing that is a recurring theme is that each of these people trying to instruct on different techniques usually break it down this way.
Take basic skill 1.
Take basic skill 2.
Take basic skill 3.
To master this new sound you first must have a mastery over skill 1,2 and 3.
Apply skill 1, then skill 2, then skill 3 and skill 1. Repeat this pattern, get faster, become more fluid, blend the noises, and form these 3 separate individuals noises in a combination that creates this brand new rich and impactful depth to the sound. By layering these skills over top of each other you can develop and continue to create more rich and full sounding noises. Suddenly that bass note that falls flat suddenly has more depth because at the end you add a growl from your throat. Or a lip oscillation that follows the note and extends the length and tone.
It's about having a grasp of the basics and applying them in combinations that create realistic authentic sounds.
I want to be able to master beatboxing. Well I want to master every skill and be the best I can possibly be. It doesn't matter what it is in my life. I want to succeed and thrive. I have always held such a rigid view of what success was and is. I used to see anything as less than perfect as utter failure. I would berate myself and say terrible horrible things. I'm learning to accept myself and my current level of ability within a certain skillset. Of saying "I desire to improve and so I will". But it's then taking the time to accel and learn those basic skills. Mastering the fundamentals and growing from there. Because everyone starts somewhere.
I will become better and I will continue to improve.
I will make positive change occur because I can! I have the skill and ability to.
Part of why this is difficult for me sometimes is when I hold onto certain expectations of how things "should" be. In my mind I can get set in stone about how things should occur and what's going to happen. When reality doesn't match up with my expectations I can lose my cool. I get frustrated and it can even boil into the realm of anger, and wrath. Depending on the perceived severity of the situation. One thing I am working on within myself is holding space for the outcome. To allow myself to do my best, and try my hardest and be willing to accept that outcome. Positive or negative. However it should happen, with no perceived expectations of what will occur. Simply waiting to see the outcome and learning to take a deep breath in that moment so I don't boil over. Because it's extremely disappointing to see yourself in such a negative way, and to see yourself get angry over something truly insignificant.
I am trying to embody the traits of calm, clear, quiet, patient, intentional and confident.
Anger is not on that list, frustration and being overwhelmed. I do not need to allow that negative space to exist within myself. I need to be able to let those emotions be felt and then move on, so I can release that tension but not allow it to take over my thoughts, actions and way of being.
I still have so much growing to do. I don't have the mastery of the fundamentals yet, at least not to the level that I would hope to achieve one day. So until I'm satisfied I will work, and continue to put in the required time and effort to improve myself as I desire.
I hope you are all well today, and that you find something within your life that you desire to see improvement. Take the time to focus and create a gameplan for how you will enact change and mark your progress. Being able to take stock and evaluate how far you have come is important too, and to recognize your success. Celebrate that you have improved, and be satisfied with the steps taken forward.
Have a wonderful day, smile and be merry. Take some time to celebrate one accomplishment you have achieved today, and say "I am proud that I ...."
For me, I took some time to learn more information about my cooking course. I went back over some fundamentals because I didn't quite grasp them as I wanted and needed. I am proud that I was able to learn something tonight, and that I was excited to learn.
I want to create more excitement in my life and continue to grow the positive changes I've made.
I will.
It will take some time, I just need to apply some patience to my learning process. But I will get there and when I do the celebration will be spectacular.
Have a wonderful day!!