When Life Slams a Door in Your Face You take up Tai Chi and Read a Good Book

The only constant in life is that things will change.

I cannot tell you how many times I have faced this fact like a two-year-old having a tantrum. Change is uncomfortable, whether it is good or not. Sometimes change can make us feel so anxious, so doubtful and resistant, that we feel emotionally paralyzed, unsure of our next move.

Well, suck it up, Buttercup, because life is change.

It is a rollercoaster of ups and downs and highs and lows. Just when we think we have sailed our ship through our last rocky storm, here comes a sea squall we had not prepared for. That is when we either get taken down by Poseidon’s moody, volatile, and vengeful temper, or learn how to adjust our sails.

 A few years back, I wrote a post titled: Sister Words: Change, Courage, and Gratitude. I have found that, at least in my life, change seldom arrives alone.

Last fall I had the wonderful opportunity to come out of retirement after a ten-plus-year hiatus to teach mat Pilates again at Bea You Yoga Studio here in my hometown. But an arthritic flare-up has forced me to step away from one of the things that give me joy.

I have not handled this change well. Besides the fact that I have to do pain management for an aching back once again, sitting for any length of time has become uncomfortable. Depending on the seat or chair—if the cushion is too soft, or if the seat tilts too far backward—sitting feels a bit like torture. And doing mat Pilates on my back, well, that isn’t happening anymore.

After about two weeks of internal berating my aging body for being human, I read something that triggered a mental slap-in-the-face. It was a snap-out-of-it moment when I realized how ridiculous I had been. I am a biological being. We are born, we live and age, and then we die. It is in the living and aging stage where we have experiences. It is called the Cycle of life. Or, as I like to say: Chapters in our lives.

My experience as a mat Pilates instructor happened in a chapter back in the middle of my book. Yes, it was a great chapter, but should it be brought forward and shoved in again? In retrospect, this endeavor may have been somewhat about my ego. I’m still young enough. I can still do this!

Unfortunately, the back spasms that had me in tears said otherwise.

Chapters in a book are to be read from front to back, just like life. We move forward through life one chapter at a time until we reach ‘The End’. Though I don’t believe I am near that part of my book yet, honestly, who really knows when our last chapter will be written?

When change happens outside of our control, such as all the insanity going on in our world and in our government today where there is no logic or common sense, it feels as if we’ve all been stuffed into a blender with the scramble button set on high.

But knowing the only constant in life is that Things Will Change (can we say revolution?) well, that gives me hope.

Finding ways to exercise without hurting myself has become my new focus, and I have tuned into the amazing benefits of Tai Chi. Though I’m still in the beginning stages, I am loving how it feels. Not only in my body, but also how it calms my mind and inner voice.

Last fall I confiscated this little book from my son’s house. The Tao of Pooh.

For me, it goes hand in hand with the practice of Tai Chi. To be honest,

the only reason it drew my attention in the first place was because it was about Winnie-the-Pooh—one of my favorite childhood friends. But I soon learned this book offered wisdom and a simpler way to deal with life’s changes.

Though both Taoism and Tai Chi take practice, I like where this change is taking me. I’m still maneuvering over rocky waves now and then, and keeping my eyes on the horizon. If I need to, I’ll adjust my sails again as I ride the wave into my seventh decade of life. And for the most part, as a healthy and active woman. Arthritis be damned!

And, to the readers who are wondering: if I can’t keep my butt in a chair, am I still working on book five of MARK OF THE FAERIE? Well, I have that covered. Thanks to a simple foldable desktop stand, I can go from sitting to standing in an instant!

Be watching for an update in a future newsletter on book five, DAUGHTER OF EUPHORIA. She is coming. I promise. And I know you will love this book. Great things are worth waiting for!) 😊📖

                                                                           My upcoming events:

The Authors Table at Art Under the Elms—Saturday, April 18^th – 10:00 – 2:30

Art Under the Elms is held over the weekend of April 17^th – 19^th. The Authors Table is a gathering of local literary talent who will share a booth at this event held on the Lewis Clark State College campus. My time at the table is Saturday from 10:00 to 2:30.

52^nd Annual Moscow Renaissance Faire, Saturday & Sunday, May 2^nd & 3^rd

Don your favorite Renaissance attire and come out to celebrate spring at this long-supported community event with FREE ENTRY! Jousting, music, dancing, good food, and one-of-a-kind gifts are sure to offer a good time for all. Hopefully I’ll see you at one of these events.

                                                          Until then, keep up the good fight!