Why TCC & What It’s Doing for Me

I turned 62 recently and as many people do when facing a birthday, I took an inventory of my life – where I have been, where I am and where I want to be. Before retiring some years ago, I had held positions of high responsibility in corporate America, and I’d been in flight and command positions in the US Air Force. All of these high stress jobs seemed easy with my Type A personality. While I always met my goals I was often empty and drained. In looking to my birthday milestone, I came to a realization it was time to look for a calming influence.

I came across a community college catalog offering Beginning T’ai Chi Chih with Donna McElhose. I recalled trying a martial arts form of T’ai Chi earlier in my life, but I never followed through because it was never calming. Not sure what this new TCC was, I contacted Donna who explained how TCC had personally changed her life. She told me that I could only expect to get as much from TCC as I was willing to give, and she challenged me to sign up and start doing TCC to find out for myself what it could do.

Sure, doing TCC has helped ease arthritis in my aging joints. It’s helped with balance and painful muscles, and it’s even lowered my blood pressure. But TCC has also calmed me and allowed me to view each day with joy and gratitude. My wife of 40 years routinely comments on how different I have become with TCC. My daughters often tell me they wish I had found TCC years ago. I believe TCC is releasing me from the mundane and awakening me for my future. As Donna reminds me, I am still becoming, but I now know my life is more complete because I joyfully begin every new day softly doing TCC.

Today I celebrated my 149 Day Gong – 149 days of doing TCC since my first class with Donna McElhose on January 19, 2010. Donna’s challenge on the first day was to complete a 100 Day Gong. Her ongoing encouragement has been the key factor in helping TCC become part of my daily routine and my life.