Tai Chi Life Skill No. 7

Most people who have studied any kind of martial art, or who might have wondered why their 2-inch penknife was confiscated by airport security, are likely pondering the martial applications of a ballpoint pen right about now. Sorry folks but that’s not where I’m headed on this fine day.

I recently read a little known fact that got me thinking about, of all things, tai chi. Tai chi and life skills to be exact. I’ve written about this topic before but I think it deserves serious attention. Attention to detail while letting go of preconceived responses.

Sometimes our egos get in the way of what’s best for us through preconceived responses, disguised as knee-jerk reactions. We become attached to things that might not work all that well. When your teacher or your master tells you you’re doing something wrong, go with it. Standing there, defending what you’re doing probably won’t get you very far. If you don’t understand something, say so; get the answer and move on. Remember your teacher or master has already been where you are. They too had to learn to let go of their egos.

Little known fact:

Following the sales success of his disposable ballpoint pen in Europe, French businessman Marcel Bich was ready to take on the international market. He had named the product after himself, but realizing that Americans would incorrectly pronounce the name (spelled Bich) as bitch, he smartly dropped the H and called his pen Bic.

Of course this can be taken too far as well. My Mother sent me a funny little first person story about a woman in Costco who didn’t care much about what those around her thought:

Funny Little First Person Story:

Yesterday I was at my local COSTCO buying a large bag of Purina dog chow
for my loyal pet, Biscuit, the Wonder Dog and was in the checkout line
when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

What did she think I had, an elephant? So since I’m retired and have
little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn’t have a dog, I was
starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn’t,
because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I’d lost 50
pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out
of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.

I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that
it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply
eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally
complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to
mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with
my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care because
the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff
an Irish Setter and a car hit us both.

According to popular rumor, this woman is no longer allowed to shop at that Costco. So let go of your ego, but keep it close by… just in case. >