One door closes, another opens.
I made my decision, and I will leave my Tae Kwon Do practice.
Ironically, I had just submitted a testimonial to the school a few short months ago.
I had an excellent talk with my head instructor. I’ve grown to greatly trust and respect him. He’s seen this coming, though he’d hoped I would find a window of opportunity, a chance to “get ahead of my body” before another injury could set me back.
He said some things about my spirit that made me cry (in a good way.) He urged me to stay until I had my “next step” in place. He reminded me that we all eventually reach this place in our practice, including him, and he will help me figure this next step out.
Less than 24 hours later, I may have found that next step.
It was practically under my nose.
A few months ago, a friend mentioned her brother-in-law is a “world class Tai Chi guy.” I found the contact information she gave me. I took a deep breath and emailed him.
He wrote back a few days later, and agreed to meet with me.
Turns out he “gets” the martial arts aspect of Tai Chi (something that is important to me right now.)
It turns out he is an accomplished martial artist in several disciplines, who did indeed “compete” at an international level for several years.
It turns out he thinks Tai Chi could be a perfect “next step” for me, incorporating strength, balance, focus and safe practice.
It turns out he knows–and respects–my instructor.
And it turns out he lives around the corner from me.
I took a deep breath, screwed up my courage, and asked what was in my heart:
Did he have any interest in teaching?
It turns out he’s been thinking that teaching would be a way to return to a daily practice, something that’s been hard to fit into his schedule the last few years, as he travels extensively back and forth between two cities.
Just thinking about this, and now writing about it, sends shivers down my spine. (In a good way!)
As we dig our way out of our third snow storm here in New Hampshire, I send these good wishes your way:
May your home be warm and may your power stay on.
May you have food on your table and may you have family and good friends to share it with.
May you find you own tiny miracles to astonish you, as often as you need them.
And if you need one today, take a look at this wonderful little movie, Where the hell is Matt?
I can’t watch it without tearing up. It delights me to my very core to see people of all ages, shapes, sizes, colors and beliefs, join this guy in his silly dance.
And it astonishes me that it came of a “silly whim” of his to quit his job, drop everything, and simply go see what was out in the world. (Here’s the very first one I saw: Where the Hell is Matt? 2008
Thank you, everyone, who wrote to encourage me during this very difficult time. My goal is to catch up on my comments section in the next few days.
And Merry Christmas to all, wherever and however you dance!
Luann Udell 