I was listening to a podcaster last week who said that anyone who states they have got it all figured out and they have mastered the game of life, you should be extremely wary of them and their message. A long time ago, I wouldn’t have understood that reasoning. I used to envy those types of people who preached that message and wanted to sit and learn from their feet. I went broke buying their self-help books and CDs (kids, ask your parents what that is). It was only when I started taking tai chi classes two years ago that I understood this podcaster’s warning.
My teachers at the martial arts school said that even the black belts that have been doing tai chi and kung fu for over thirty years still consider themselves as students. They are constantly practicing with their own master to improve their forms. The only difference between the beginner and the master doing the same form is that what the master needs to improve is less noticeable to a beginner and more noticeable to another master or the master’s master. Ultimately, what the teachers at the school were trying to tell us, no one ever really can say they have mastered a martial arts form because there is always room for improvement at every stage of the process.
Even though my life feels a lot more stable and focused at the moment, I’m not ready to go around and say I’ve figured life out. Now that I am moving from dieting to maintaining my weight, I might be at the top of that mountain. However, I just looked over to my right, and a huge ass mountain just rose up next to me. I might have found the secondary cause of my schizoaffective disorder, and I’m chilling at the top of that mountain. I looked to my left and another freakin’ mountain bigger than that one appeared. Every time I have my so-called mountain top experience, another mountain I wasn’t even prepared for pops up to remind me that I will always be the perpetual student – always learning, growing, and adapting.
Yet, I am now at a stage in my life that I don’t mind the journey life wants to take me on. I don’t mind surrendering some of my Type A personality control. I spent all my life living in the past in fear of the future. It’s time to start driving, looking out the windshield rather than that tiny rearview mirror. I’ve got my mountain climbing gear in the trunk. Who’s ready to tackle this mountain with me?
Until next time!
