Are you?
Think about it. The world appears to be in chaos, with horrific events of terrorist attacks, individual gun violence, attempted government takeovers, negative bashing in political campaigns, and on and on. Civility is on the wane, replaced by nastiness and rudeness.
It seems that two factors heighten our sense of ‘it’s horrible out there’ – social media and these events are happening here on our doorstep.
The internet, which shrinks our world, has good and bad effects. One good aspect is that we have access to information and events right now, from anywhere in the world. A bad aspect is that not all information is true. Plus some people are eager to make any comments that may distort the facts and spread them to very large audiences. Although there are many good and bad aspects, I want to focus on the fact that we are communicating through a medium, usually a hand-held device, and it takes us off the hook of having to say something in person. How easy it is to opine and spew with our fingers on a keyboard or touchpad.
It seems that facts do not seem to matter so much. Just look at our political campaigns. When fact-checked, and finding that 90% of what a candidate said is untrue, that doesn’t always change people’s minds. Evidence and truth can be “photo-shopped”, in or out. Or just disregarded.
The second factor is what we used to see on our televisions, the violence and mayhem in far-away countries, is now on our doorstep, in our own country and communities. Too close for comfort. Too close to feel safe.
When I was a little girl, I remember my older sister and brother getting training in school for what to do in the event a nuclear bomb came our way. Hide under the classroom desks. Families built bomb shelters. Be afraid was the message. The Russians want to destroy us. Be afraid is a common message today when we see what’s happening, on our phone and TV.
Our national and world situation is very complex. There are not easy answers. However, each of us has choices about how we will approach the day once we wake up. We can smile at someone or do something little to make another’s day better. We can make eye contact and initiate face to face interaction.
If you do feel fearful though, it may be a great time to stop thinking about the “what ifs” and all the anxiety you have and do something. Make an appointment to see one of the expert, caring Heartwood Center professionals – have a massage, get acupuncture, start counseling/psychotherapy. Sign up for a Tai Chi, QiGong or Yoga class. Any one of these can potentially help lessen fear, create calm, and help you cope with all the uncontrollable factors that surround your lives. Don’t just think about it. Sign up or call now.
Above all else, two things that you can do that really make a difference – listen, really listen and be kind.
Arlene Faulk
Tai Chi has transformed my life. I spent my first year seated in a chair, doing Tai Chi moves as best as I could. Very slowly I learned to walk again through the practice of the slow, deliberate walk that Tai Chi teaches.
In my published book, Walking on Pins and Needles: A Memoir of Chronic Resilience in the Face of Multiple Sclerosis, I tell my dramatic personal story of experiencing years of debilitating symptoms as I ascended the corporate ladder, landed on my couch for two years, then moved through a zig-zag path to find comfort and healing through Chinese medicine and Tai Chi.
Tai Chi was my guide in managing pain, increasing overall balance, strength and learning how to relax. Through the practice I discovered my calling and have been teaching Tai Chi for over 20 years.
I teach my students what continues to be life-enhancing for me: Tai Chi is not about trying harder; it’s about letting go, being in the moment, feeling balance and the fluidity of energy.