I recently ran into one of those Wall Street Journal articles about “leadership in a crisis.” That is, what a leader needs to do when faced with crisis. This was a pedestrian article, with one small exception. The statement ran thus: “No matter how bad things are, they will get worse.” The gist of the advice was to get leaders to focus on reality, not dismiss bad news but to take corrective action for a worst case scenario.
The reason that little portion grabbed me was because unlike most advice, this one did not have a smiley face slapped on it. As a nation, we tend to take every opportunity to turn negatives into positives. We like positivity so much that we ignore many things until, well, we simply can’t. Worse, we manipulate tragedy to find some sort of spin that will make us feel better about ourselves.
Example: That pretty AIDS quilt to “honor” those that have passed on. This turkey was dropped only when it dawned on everybody that the cost of parading a pretty quilt around the country was a waste of money. It did nothing to stop AIDS.
Example: We have benefit concerts to raise money for disaster relief, as if to say that we CAN have a fun time in the face of tragedy and do good at the same time! Cheerful us! (I hear my derisive Russian friend calling us “happy carefree affluent Americans.”)
Example: We glorify “cuteness” and being “bouncy” to the extent that some folks actually listen to Sarah Palin. It may be OK in a Progressive Insurance ad, but not in politics where lives are at stake.
Yes, being positive at all costs is infectious, I admit, but this is sort of aggravating at times. Our capacity to be out of touch with reality is disturbing.
True, nobody likes a downer and we have to carry on despite what goes sour in the world. But can’t we tell the truth, the whole truth, so help us G-d, and just take a hard look at reality? Can we stop opening new doors when one closes - at least for a moment? Can we stop looking for that tiny silver lining for a beat and focus on the huge storm cloud instead? Can we stop making lemonade when life hands us lemons - just once? Will that kill us? (My point is not suggesting we become inert and inactive. My point is that before we shift into “proactive”, “Yes We Can”, “take it to the next level”, “turn it around”, “learn from our mistakes”, take on this “challenge”, or create a “win-win”, that we clearly see the situation at hand for what it is.)
I’m the first to exclaim tai chi’s benefits and I do.
But here is the "bad" news:
Tai chi requires consistent effort. A little every day is needed (if you want to gain benefit and find progress.) You need to practice regularly.
Attending tai chi class is very important if you want to make any progress in tai chi. Commitment is key. You have to give up something and make this a priority.
Progress is usually slow in evolving because our habits run deep.
There is no guarantee that this will “work”.
Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forward.
“No pain, no gain” Ben Lo
You may have to accept your own physical limitations.
Alas, in general, more practice time is usually better than less, so you have to be careful to pace yourself according to time allotment and competing needs.
It will be dull at times. Being there has more reward than being thrilled.
You have to work very hard to be honest about yourself in this practice.
It is helpful to be very attentive to details. Checking out mentally doesn’t work here. “Stress free” here means work, not going to la-la land!
It is helpful to let go of all details and not micromanage. Being obsessive here doesn’t work. “Stress free” means “Stress free.”
Letting go of expectations, striving and goals is a good practice in tai chi.
While thinking about it is helpful at times, doing it is important all the time.
While doing it is important all the time, thinking about it at times is helpful.
You won’t like doing push hands with everyone! It is a good habit to push hands with everyone!
It’s not all about you. Ultimately, it is about them, too.
“Invest in loss” (a tai chi principle in push hands) is NOT fun!
“No burn, no earn” Ben Lo
You can “win” in push hands and still be doing poor push hands….
Ready for some lemonade?
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