Solace

I interrupted my T'ai Chi Chih practice to help Frances cover plants and gardens. The weather service predicts a frost during the night and, as my mother always said, "Better safe than sorry."

Now I'm back to my practice (I'm inside since it's getting dark and cooling down rapidly). I've been filled with anxiety today and the earlier--and now continuing practice--will offer solace (it already is!).

De-light-full

It was another cool, off-and-on again grey-sunny day. Lows tonight are predicted for 39 degrees; and, visitors from the Twin Cities commented that it felt like fall.

My T'ai Chi Chih practice was equally divided into three ten-minute practices. Not that I intentionally did it that way, but it just happened that I squeezed my practice into spaces between various events during the morning and afternoon. For today, that strategy worked fine.

I felt comfortably relaxed while our guests were here visiting, and I still found enough minutes during the busyness of the day to get through the entire form. When we and our guests drove home from Cornucopia after dinner, we saw five deer at various locations along the highway. We spotted them easily since the sun was still high in the sky (it was close to 9:00 p.m.).

With summer solstice three weeks away, it's simply de-light-full.

Movin' and Shakin'

During my recent sorting activity I came across a book of art and poetry by a long ago friend. The book is entitled What Can I Learn? And here is what Mary Lee George wrote after the question, "What can I learn doing T'ai Chi?"

I find my feminine roots--
     going into the earth
I deepen my awareness--
     exploring the depths
I learn to let go
     flowing with the ki [chi]
I learn to move
     from my center
I learn to live
     from the inside out
I learn to trust life instead of
     trying to control it

Yeah, I'd say that poem is a great reminder of what (m)any of us can learn from this moving meditation practice.

Today I sat on the front step during my TCC practice. The dog and goose were nearby and the chicken joined me, too, for a brief interlude. It was a breezy, coolish day and, since I rose feeling exhausted, the practice helped tune me up and got me moving.

I needed that energy. Today was the first day the library's been open since last Friday and we had patrons coming and going all afternoon and evening.

This morning I prepared learning objectives for a presentation on TCC I'm delivering at a mental health conference in mid-June. While I worked I realized that, for me, T'ai Chi Chih is simply part of my daily health care routine, which includes taking insulin shots three to four times each day, and blood testing regularly. It's a healthy habit that keeps me movin' and shakin'.

Feeling Low and Imagining (a Spark of Light)

I feel a bit down today and nothing--not even T'ai Chi Chih practice--brightens my day. A heavy-duty headache is certainly contributing to my lower-than-low feeling. And recently both Frances and I are struggling to make significant decisions about our home, property, and future.

I can't believe that I'm writing this, but ... I'm anxious for this Memorial Day holiday weekend to be over.

Today I actually practiced T'ai Chi Chih outside in sunshine. (It's been so rainy over the past three to four days that the weather service actually posted flood warnings for Bayfield County yesterday afternoon.)

Lucy didn't care to join me during my TCC practice but, partway through, I heard a commotion. Lucy had hopped into her wading pool and begun to groom vigorously. And so, I joined her. It was wonderfully entertaining to watch her splashing and preening as I Pulled Taffy, watched Passing Clouds, and aspirated Healing Sounds.

Now I'm back to sorting files and pitching paper. And, yes, I can imagine a wee spark of light at the end of this humble task....

Release ... repeat

Ohh, it's been a long, slow day spent sorting through papers and cleansing the distant past out of my life. Yes, it feels good. It's simply amazing, though, how long it takes to go through page after page of detritus. It is, after all, a walk down long-forgotten trails and paths that I've taken over the course of my life.

I started with an early T'ai Chi Chih practice to get myself ready to focus on files of editing clients, graduate work, published writing, small business (Same Spirit) materials, etc., etc. I'm downsizing with the aim of creating a life that's less cluttered, simpler, and more peaceful (with less pieces).

During my morning practice I looked out the window at rain and fog. It felt chilly and wet but, during my practice, I felt cozy. (After I was done I headed for the wood stove to lay a fire.)

 Now in late afternoon we have green sunshine and gathering warmth. Now it's back to my day's occupation: scan, skim, sort, ... release. Repeat.

Cleaning Out to Become Clearer Within

I feel deep gratitude for my outdoor T'ai Chi Chih practices because this is when I slow down and smell (see!) the roses. Yesterday I was enamoured with purple irises blooming next to orange poppies and today it's white thimbleberry blossoms popping their heads up out in the woods.

It's been cool today (50ish) but tomorrow predicts highs in the low 80s with rain. Today I took advantage of the dry skies and practiced TCC on the deck while the goose and chicken hovered nearby (beneath my practice area).

Since the birds were quiet, I had no idea what they were doing until I finished practice and Frances informed me that the chicken (Rachel) had dug herself a hole in the dirt and was taking a dirt bath. Oh, when I leaned over the railing to spy on her, I was amazed! She had dirt flipped up onto the middle of her back and she squirmed and flipped and preened just like a dog (or cat).

My practice went well. I sat for the first half and stood for the second. I began by positioning myself in the last teensy bit of sunshine and managed to focus my attention on green plants and brightly blooming flowers.

After I finished TCC practice I was back at it, sorting, cleaning, moving, and disposing of the excess in our house. It feels good to let go of the clutter. And, of course, when space is created for energy to flow, that's what it does. It moves and vitalizes and restores my lagging energy.

Anxiety Abated

Thursday, May 24, 2012:

I did as planned and practiced T'ai Chi Chih before I gave my presentation to the Parkinson's support group this morning ... it helped. Still, I was extremely nervous as I drove to the session; but, once I arrived--and as soon as I started moving through TCC with the group--all was well.

I'm reminded, again and again, of how much I enjoy sharing TCC with others. It truly has been a blessing in my life.

Friday, May 25, 2012:

Yesterday was rain filled. Today we had a brief respite with clear, cool sunshine. I took advantage of the dryness and practiced TCC outside on the deck. It's ultra green here after a day and a half of rain (one acquaintance in Bayfield reported that she got 3.1 inches of rain at her house yesterday).

During a drive into Bayfield Frances and I stopped in the middle of the road so that Frances could help a turtle get across and out of danger. Then, while on a late afternoon walk, we found a mole on the road shoulder that we thought was dead but, no, it simply appeared to be asleep. Once again, Frances encouraged it to descend into the ditch to distance itself from road traffic.

The holiday weekend is upon us and Bayfield is hopping with traffic and people.We'll be staying at home in the peace-filled silence. Ahhh.