Never Say Never

Continuing on this journey with no end in sight, I reflect on this experience to date. My initial involvement was to help with balance as I stumbled off a stationary bike. I was invited to join a handful of people doing Tai Chi Chih (TCC) by following a YouTube video. As my interest grew, I joined a class at the senior center. A once weekly practice turned into two, then three days. My teacher, sensing an increasing interest, brought up the possibility of becoming a teacher. Whoa. No way, why in the world at my age would I want to take on a new job. Never. Where would I teach? Who would I teach? Drive all the way to New Mexico for accreditation? No way. Many unanswered questions arose.

As time passed, the topic of becoming a teacher kept popping up with the same reply. I never expressed an interest in going that route. It became irritating that my teacher wasn’t listening. Then the pandemic: I had concerns, but not the worries others had. I was at ease. Soon, we continued our practices and expanded our reach to teachers all over the country and world. Practices grew to five and six days a week. Now it’s possible to become a teacher by attending accreditation via Zoom without leaving home? Interesting.

My teacher noticed changes in me that I had not. Then a few others followed with the same observation. During Intensive that I was encouraged to attend, I realized something was different. The desire to write and share my story was not me. But it actually was! During pyramid poetry, the words flowed. My life had slowly been changing; I was the last to notice.

Writing these words today, the thought comes, “Who is this guy?” But I write in hope that someone may be inspired to dive deeper into their practice. To experience the blessings of this gift that Justin so humbly shared. The day you become aware of the gift is the day you feel how important it is to share it with others. I have seen the light and it shines brightly. I am pursuing teacher accreditation this year. Never say never.