Thursday Morning Reflections
Good morning. It’s July 17—Thursday—and once again, I’m struck by how fast time moves. This morning is a bit of a reversal for me. Normally, I record my thoughts during my second walk of the day, but today I’m doing it on my first. Cary had to go for some blood work, so we switched things up: I walk first, and when she returns, I’ll head out again. Change can be good.
As I was walking this morning, I found myself reflecting on something that has fascinated me for years—energy. Not just in the physical sense, but the deeper, subtler kind. The kind that moves through us, animates us, and perhaps even connects us to something larger.
Discovering Energy in My Youth
I was first introduced to the concept of human energy when I was a young man studying karate. They taught about energy—”ki” or “chi”—but at the time, it felt a little woo-woo to me. I chalked it up to breath control or something tied to metabolism and muscle movement. Back then, my understanding of energy was strictly biological: mitochondria, calories, movement.
But even then, questions lingered:
- What is electricity?
- What is gravity?
- What causes an electron to spin or bond?
These mysteries stuck with me.
Energy Centers and Ancient Wisdom
Later in life, I explored metaphysics and encountered various teachings about energy centers—from the heart, to the gut, to the chakras along the spine. I found it intriguing, if hard to believe. But one experience stood out: what I now know was likely a Kundalini release. I remember a powerful sensation of energy rising up my spine, like a pulse of electricity—not painful, but certainly unfamiliar. It didn’t come from injury or exertion. It came from… somewhere else.
That experience taught me there’s more to this body than flesh and bone. There’s something vibrational, something energetic moving within.
My Inner Sensitivity
I’ve always been a bit empathic—sensitive to the emotions of others. I can often pick up on what someone’s feeling, even if they’re not saying it out loud. Occasionally, I’ve even had moments that felt like intuitive knowing—extra-dimensional awareness, if you will. Nothing dramatic or sci-fi, but enough to remind me that we’re tuned into more than we understand.
Energy in Yoga, Acupuncture, and Breath
Through yoga and even acupuncture, I’ve brushed up against these ideas again and again. In yoga, the concept of Pranayama—breathing into certain parts of the body—always puzzled me. What does it mean to “breathe into your hip” or “breathe into your back”? Over time, I realized it’s about directing attention and energy, not literal breath. Imagination and intention are powerful tools.
Even with acupuncture, though I didn’t feel dramatic shifts, I trusted the process. Those needles are meant to redirect energy flow, and perhaps they did.
The Shift: This Morning’s Epiphany
Today, something clicked.
Recently, Tai Chi movements have been showing up in my TikTok feed—simple, flowing exercises that caught my attention. Curious and inspired, I tried a few of them this morning. Basic stuff: swinging arms, light knee bends, standing poses with deep breathing.
But something happened.
In one standing pose—with knees slightly bent, feet grounded, and breath moving slowly in and out—I felt the most serene peace I’ve felt in a long time. A quiet warmth spread through me. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t intense. But it was real.
And then I realized: for the first time, I was combining movement with energy and breath—not just one or the other. I was feeling energy flow through me, not just imagining it.
Stillness Before Action
One of the Tai Chi teachers I watched made a profound statement:
“If you’re struggling with balance, it’s not your posture—it’s your lack of grounded stillness. All movement should begin from stillness.”
That hit me hard. What a simple but powerful life principle.
- Before engaging in a difficult conversation… come to stillness.
- Before reacting in frustration… gather energy.
- Then move with intention.
The Four Pillars of Energy Flow
The teacher also mentioned four elements central to Tai Chi:
- Gathering energy
- Storing energy
- Spreading energy
- (And one I forgot—but I’m working on it!)
Even if you don’t practice Tai Chi, these are good metaphors for how to live well. Before giving anything to the world—be it love, ideas, or even critique—gather and store the energy first. Don’t rush. Don’t scatter.
A New Routine for an Old Body
I’m 72 now, and as I think about vitality, longevity, and peace, I realize I want more of that flow in my life. Not just in my mind or muscles—but in my whole being.
These simple Tai Chi movements—so graceful and intentional—speak to the kind of person I want to become: calm, grounded, flowing, and kind. I want my body to mirror what I seek in my soul.
So, going forward, I think I’ll add some of these simple movements to my daily practice:
- Something to wake up the body
- Something to center the spirit
- And something to move energy with intention
I’m not aiming to master Tai Chi. Just to explore what it can offer—a little more grace, a little more stillness, a little more presence.
Closing Thoughts
Today reminded me of something I already knew, but had never truly felt:
- We are energy.
- We carry it. We radiate it. We move with it.
- And when we align breath, body, and spirit… beautiful things happen.
Maybe I’ll stick with it. Maybe I won’t. But for now, I’m curious, and that’s enough.
Thanks for listening.
—David
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