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Changing the Way You Look at Things – Part 2

August 25, 2013 By Arlene Faulk

Last week I told a story of one of my Tai Chi students experiencing a profound change in the way she looked at and felt her energy. Today I want to tell you a brief story of how a viewpoint shift I experienced started to change the entire course of my life.

For almost 20 years I pushed my body through the demands and stresses of a high-paced corporate career. I was very successful in assuming increased responsibilities and receiving big promotions as a result. I did this in the midst of my silent struggle with immense physical challenges. My legs and ankles weakened; my balance was terrible; my arms and hands felt like needles were constantly pressing into the pores; my mind was foggy from strong steroids I had to take. It took 21 years from the first symptoms to definitively diagnose my condition as multiple sclerosis.

I kept pushing through. Mind over Body, I kept telling myself. Then one day in the early 1990’s a fatigue consumed me as my body told me, Body over Mind. I spent almost two years lying on my living room couch.

I had always been able to figure things out, come up with options. Not this time. I couldn’t go to work, drive a car, vacuum my carpet, go to the grocery store or go for a walk. I used my trusty cane, but only for a few minutes before my energy dropped and I had to lie down.

My mother, with her great wisdom, encouraged me. She suggested I ride down the elevator in my condo building, walk to the front door and then return to my apt. She suggested standing at my window looking out at Lake Michigan would be comforting. Stand for awhile, then sit or lie down.

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My viewpoint started shifting. Rather than focusing on all the things I couldn’t do, I started focusing on what I COULD do. I did that, in small incremental steps. Little by little, a step at a time I started to get stronger. I started to increase the tasks I could do each day.

My mental shift from what I “can’t” do to what I “can” do started to change the course of my life.

I’d love to hear your story of how you changed the way you looked at things. What viewpoint shift did you have? How did it change your direction?

Filed Under: Arlene Faulk, Change, Listening to our Body, Mindfulness Tagged With: a step at a time, a turning point, changing viewpoint, life changes, looking at things anew, mother's wisdom

Arlene Faulk

Arlene Faulk

After a years-long struggle to understand and conceal debilitating symptoms while I ascended the corporate ladder, I found comfort and healing through Tai Chi and Chinese Medicine.

My memoir, Walking on Pins and Needles, is the story about the power to control our lives and move in the direction of possibility. Read more...

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My book Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis is available in paperback & e-book.

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Tai Chi makes me feel calm, yet energized. Because of my practice, the small irritants of life affect me less.

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I had back surgery, was in pain and had little range of motion. Tai Chi practice at Heartwood has helped me increase flexibility, my range of motion and my overall stamina.

Tai Chi student

Arlene teaches the Tai Chi form in such a gentle and connected way that many movements now feel utterly natural and healing.

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I've even shared some of the exercises with my bike club to help reduce injuries. They really work!

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I've always been a klutz and have regularly lost my balance and fallen when walking outside. Arlene taught me how to stand and walk properly through Tai Chi. I really can't believe it: I haven't fallen in four years since I've been taking Tai Chi with Arlene!

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I love Arlene's Tai Chi classes. She helps us understand not only what we're doing, but also why we're doing it. That really helps me take what I learn in class and apply it to my daily life.

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I'm really inspired by what Tai Chi has done for Arlene. She is a great teacher, who is calm and very patient. She has really helped me not to be so hard on myself.

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I play golf and had a lesson after school, on the same day we had Tai Chi class. My coach commented, 'Your posture is amazing and all of the balance issues that we have been fighting for so long seem to have just taken a vacation.' I mentioned to him that I thought it was due to Tai Chi.

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Tai Chi relaxes your entire body and promotes peace and proper breathing. The more I manage to breathe properly while doing any activity in my life, I generally tend to do a lot better at it. I benefited from Tai Chi because it managed to help me with my breathing skills even more.

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Tai Chi really gives my body strength to put up with the pains of my breast cancer and back problems. Tai Chi is 'sneaky'. You don't think it's helping, but eventually you realize it's helping you.

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For me, Tai Chi brings comfort and quiet amidst all the chaos and change.

Becky, Tai Chi student

In just a few months, the practice has become perhaps the most nurturing element in my life during COVID times, when sustaining a commitment to anything else has been challenging.

Barb, Tai Chi student

The community Tai Chi has provided has been a gift. With so much we can now do whenever we wish --- with an app, YouTube video, or streaming service --- meeting weekly (via zoom) in real time, live, to practice Tai Chi creates true community.

David, Tai Chi student

I really enjoy our time together and I've found Tai Chi a great way to "keep moving," not only during this pandemic but also as a regular practice with a wonderful integration of mind, body and spirit.

Martha, Tai Chi student

Tuning into the class and seeing familiar faces of the other students brings a nice sense of community and connection during this time of separation and isolation.

Julia, Tai Chi student

I love the walking practice because it helps me slow down and focus only on the moment.

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Tai Chi has made me aware of how I’m standing and where my weight is. My balance is improving.

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I hear Arlene saying to listen to my body and only do what I can do. That helps me relax.

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