Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Workshops in Delaware 2013

 I am excited to return to Delaware and work with people at both Ming Tao Tai-Chi and Rigby's Karate Academy. Last year we covered some advanced concepts and training as well as revisited basics and practice methods. I have some new looks at familiar subjects and will give many insights into your Tai-Chi, regardless of style, level, or ability.

For information on the complete set of workshops or just the Newark area seminars, contact Diane at;

http://www.mingtaotaichi.com/

Or just the Dover seminars contact Reese and Judy at;

http://www.rigbys-karate.com/

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Health as Wealth



                                                             (53 year old hamstrings!)


The most valuable asset you posses has little value until you loose it, or it becomes compromised...your health. I don't have riches or IRA's or investments in Swiss bank accounts. I do have my health. My body feels better and performs better now in my 50s than it did in my 20s, and I was in great shape back then! I have an appetite like I always have had and enjoy my food and other hungers even more now.My flexibility is more so and my strength has changed, not diminished.My mind is still sharp and my memory even surprises me!

I have made many deposits into my health account. I chose sleep, and good food, and exercise many times over quick pleasures and "time-killing." T'ai-Chi and meditation have kept me from a lot of colds and helped with injuries both physical and mental. I have pursued learning and teaching and the simple study of life, mainly through observation. Although I have spent a lot of money on teachers and teachings, most of my greatest accomplishments have been only for the price of my time and energy. Ever heard of "paying attention?" You pay with your attention, not your credit card.Walking in the woods is still mostly free, yet it pays back ten-fold on my state of mind.



My teacher, Master T. T. Liang, always said "Health is a matter of the utmost importance." He passed away peacefully at age 102, after decades of teaching people and changing lives for the better. We have wealth beyond money or gold in our health. This becomes apparent after a certain age, but still needs to be taught to young people.With the looming crisis of childhood obesity and diabetes, not to mention all the stress even the very young are carrying now, health needs to be taught in the home, at school, and in the public.We could ask our government to spend money on paying health teachers to be on staff at our schools and investing in the health of our youth instead of making more weapons and bombs. There are so many forms of exercise beyond the normal sports programs. As long as it gets kids moving and helps reduce stress, that is criterion enough. What about retirement homes? The elders in our society need mental and physical movement and stimulation.

How is your bank account? Not the one you deposit and withdraw money from, but the health account that you use for your daily life? How is your "retirement plan?" Where your heart goes, there goes your wealth. Is your health in your heart? I wish you all glowing health, well-being, peace, and longevity.





Saturday, September 28, 2013

A Woman's Worth





 I love Marianne Williamson! I learned so much about myself as a man by reading her writings on women. Sounds contradictory doesn't it? For all my men readers let me suggest A Woman's Worth We can learn a lot from this book about women, men, and being ourselves no matter what our gender is.

 Here are two of my favorite quotes;



“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

-Marianne Williamson , A Return to Love
  
“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”
-Marianne Williamson