Tai Chi Chih is a marvelous discipline. Each of the 19 movements has its own design, precision and intention. Every part of the body participates in the slow and gentle motions; the physical body moves, the mind becomes quiet and alert, the life force energy – Chi – flows. Each position is completed with a pause, a sinking down into a graceful conclusion. We rest before beginning the next movement.
When I moved from South Dakota in 2010, I brought many activities to a conclusion. I was resting, taking a long pause before the next movement. Once in Washington, I settled into a rhythm of days and experiences that were slower and more gentle, like Tai Chi Chih. I tried to be mindful of bringing each activity, each encounter with others, each day to a graceful conclusion. At the beginning I was a clumsy novice at this practice of intentional awareness. My movements were awkward, my balance was shaky, my conclusions were often less than graceful. Yet, with practice I improved. Far from being perfect, I’m just pleased that I feel more “present” in my days, more content with having few agendas, being more likely to say “I don’t know,” and more apt to sit in wonder.
I’ve learned so much, met amazingly diverse and talented people, visited breathtakingly beautiful places. I’ve started new projects, said goodbye to many pasts, chased run-away horses and caught some new dreams. My body and soul have ached from digging in the dirt and digging into the past. New growth has been the glorious result – strength, contentment, fertile ground prepared for more.
Within the coming month, I will begin the next movement, a literal move back to South Dakota. It is home to me. In Washington, I have received so much goodness to take back with me, have deepened and strengthened family ties, have created new memories. I am extremely grateful for this long vacation, this pause between what was and what is yet to be. I’m taking time to bring a graceful conclusion to the days, to feel the movement of the Chi within and all around, to store up the light and then to travel on. Grace – full!
When I moved from South Dakota in 2010, I brought many activities to a conclusion. I was resting, taking a long pause before the next movement. Once in Washington, I settled into a rhythm of days and experiences that were slower and more gentle, like Tai Chi Chih. I tried to be mindful of bringing each activity, each encounter with others, each day to a graceful conclusion. At the beginning I was a clumsy novice at this practice of intentional awareness. My movements were awkward, my balance was shaky, my conclusions were often less than graceful. Yet, with practice I improved. Far from being perfect, I’m just pleased that I feel more “present” in my days, more content with having few agendas, being more likely to say “I don’t know,” and more apt to sit in wonder.
I’ve learned so much, met amazingly diverse and talented people, visited breathtakingly beautiful places. I’ve started new projects, said goodbye to many pasts, chased run-away horses and caught some new dreams. My body and soul have ached from digging in the dirt and digging into the past. New growth has been the glorious result – strength, contentment, fertile ground prepared for more.
Within the coming month, I will begin the next movement, a literal move back to South Dakota. It is home to me. In Washington, I have received so much goodness to take back with me, have deepened and strengthened family ties, have created new memories. I am extremely grateful for this long vacation, this pause between what was and what is yet to be. I’m taking time to bring a graceful conclusion to the days, to feel the movement of the Chi within and all around, to store up the light and then to travel on. Grace – full!
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