Faulk TaiChi

Learn the beautiful, flowing movements for health and relaxation.

Too Much to Do – what do I do?

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Managing time can be challenging on any given day. Do you make ‘to do’ lists? They can be long, daunting, and disappointing when some things never get crossed off the list. I stopped making ‘to do’ lists soon after starting to study and practice Tai Chi. The words of a wise teacher in San Diego started to sink in – “Tai Chi is not about trying harder. Tai Chi is about allowing and letting go.” Letting go. That takes time. That takes intentional focus. As I started to relax and focus on the “allowing” and “letting go”, I realized that could produce tension due to trying too hard to let go! It takes time.

Right now I am faced with too much to do. I am involved in a project requiring a 7:45am start time every day this week and more meetings on some evenings. I have my regular Tai Chi classes to teach. I have board and committee meetings. I am regularly writing scenes for my book. In order to write good scenes, I need to read books rich in dialogue, forming relationships and vivid descriptions of characters.

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It is really a challenge when the “too much to do” activities are all positive and even fun. However, even the positive can feel like pressure when there is only so much time. So, I stopped, focused my attention on what to do to make it manageable. I chose to take a couple week detour in my writing, first time in almost two years. Hard to let that go. I wanted to hang on, to keep going, find time to fit it in. I literally could feel my mind and body resisting. Feeling that, I added a little more Tai Chi and working out at my health club into my day.

It’s working. I feel rested and energized and fully capable of handling this busy schedule. Tai Chi, plus regular stretching, strengthening and aerobic workouts are making this manageable. Only possible, though as I literally let go of some of the ‘to dos’.

Workout this morning after a meeting. And guess what? I’m feeling excited because I have almost a free hour before embarking on three hours of meetings this evening. I think I’ll read my engaging book with wonderful dialogue and character description.

Slowing Down with Tai Chi

By

Yang Jun
Yang Jun

It’s been 16 days since I wrote my last blog and some of you have told me you miss it. I appreciate your comments and knowing you look forward to my posts.

Although I have not written here, I have been writing. In fact, lots of writing. So many over the years have encouraged me to write my story and I am now working on that. A writing coach. Weekly assignments. Reading specific writers who will help inform my own writing. Lots of writing. I am on my way, and Tai Chi will be a big part of the story. Tai Chi helped transform my life. Tai Chi helped me discover health and balance. Tai Chi is helping me get healthier as I age.

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Occasionally, I mention to my students that Tai Chi is one of the few things in life that gets better as you slow it down. Slow everything down. Focus on the moment, on that single move you are about to take. We need to slow down, take some time to be quiet, for discovery to take place. Be quiet and empty out our thoughts and tensions. Only then will we be able to open up, receive new thoughts and new ways of moving through our days.

Tai Chi is a practice that teaches us ways of slowing down, emptying out our minds and learning to have our mind direct our energy in very healthy ways. It’s a great time of year to start a class, to do something so healthy for yourself that it will benefit not only you, but all those with whom you have contact. When we learn how to generate positive, relaxed energy it radiates out to others. We all like that and we all can use more of it.