Who Are You

Dale Buchanan, Great Falls, VA

One of the greatest gifts of being a T’ai Chi Chih instructor is the constant contact with other instructors as we share ideas, stories, and life changes. After opening the T’ai Chi Chih Studio and committing myself to being a full time instructor, I often receive phone calls and e-mails from others (most of whom I’ve never met) asking for advice on teaching T’ai Chi Chih. I quickly realized that all of the conversations came down to one thing – what is that person’s main focus in life.

In my opinion, many people try to do too much. they become a T’ai Chi Chih instructor, learn Reiki, study massage, teach martial arts, etc., but never really commit to doing ONE thing. Not that these modalities are bad, because I know they help people. However, I used to be the same way … having my energy disbursed among many different things at once.

The most powerful decision I’ve ever made in my life came last summer after a phone conversation with Carmen Brocklehurst. As I was about to open the studio, she told me to ask myself, “What is my intention?” Was it to get people in my studio for personal training, physical therapy, etc. or was it to teach only T’ai Chi Chih? I quickly made my choice and the rest is history. I gave up everything else and focused all of my energy on being the best T’ai Chi Chih instructor that I could. My students recognize and appreciate that I don’t bring anything else into my classes except what Justin has created. What more do they need?

If you want to be a master at something focus all of your energy on one thing, become good at it, following these words from John Heider’s poem inspired by the Tao Te Ching:

“When I let go of what I am,
I become what I might be.”

Then you’ll know who you are!