What is Family?

The last few weeks have just been so, so busy for many of us bringing happy times and also some challenging times. I have been deeply inspired by people's positive and supportive reactions in times of challenge. 2012 started off an excellent year for many of us, full of opportunities and new and exciting adventures offering hope, inspiration and purpose. I myself have had so many opportunities this year, it’s almost like some of us have become a magnet for new beginnings.

Whether new beginnings, opportunities or rallying round to support those close to us it has led to think about the people who have come into my life through tai chi and martial arts over the past 3 years. These people have changed my life, my outlook and my future.

Within whichever form of martial arts I have been involved I have at one time or another felt the camaraderie between myself and my fellow practitioners. Why is this and is this the same with any activity that you take part in? For me this is testament to how training in martial arts enables us to truly transcend the “class system” and social barriers that we may experience in everyday life. Have you noticed when you are training how many different individuals are in your class, how individually you know and understand the strengths of each and every member of your martial arts family just as in your own family at home?

My Taiji Family: One of our regular Charity events "Taiji in the park"

What I like about my Martial Arts Family is the eclectic mix of individuals who come together. We come together to train, we pull together in times of difficulty for members of the ‘family’, we are happy for them in times of success and come together outside of training to strengthen our bonds.

I use the word family because, in life, the people we have in our close proximity, the people we see everyday are our family, our friends form part of our family. People we know will support us no matter what and be there for us through thick and thin. One thing that has been evident throughout has been the solidarity within the “Family”.

L to R: Chief Instructor Wu Xing Chen Taijiquan: Paul Miller, Co Founder Chenjiagou Taijiquan GB: Davidine Siaw Voon Sim, Head Instructor Chen Taiji Blackpool: Lee Davis Conchie

 Knowing when a member is happy, upset, unsure, confident, unconfident or concerned is a natural part of understanding others. Walk down the street today and we will pass many people all from different walks of life really not paying attention to anyone else other than their own worries and woes. This has definitely been me over the past few years. Too much going on sometimes to look out at the world. My tai chi family has taught me to look up and out at the world and see what is truly going on for other people and not just myself. By focussing on others rather than only my own woes my life has transformed into something that feels positive and full of hope.

Last year for me was a very tempestuous one with many challenges and difficulties and at the turn of the new year led me to believe that this year, was a new beginning. We are all a year older and wiser as the saying goes but I think what has made this year different is the experiences that we as a Family have shared. We have shared tears of sadness but also have experienced laughter and joy.  Our experiences have drawn us closer again, and from our experiences we are all being pulled together again for our own Teacher. We can pull together because we are a family and we care for each individual within the tai chi family.

We are lucky to have this bond, some people are unfortunate to have lost family members or have no one they can call family.

Next time you are training, take a look around, ask yourself "who here, do I consider family"? or "who can rely on ME in a time of need"?

The feelings these thoughts evoke are both warm and embracing.

Are these not the feelings we should feel for everyone?

Some members from my "Taiji Family"

L to R
 Adrian Barry, Sharon Welsh, Linda Hargreaves, Master Chen Ziqiang, Lee Davis Conchie, Paul Miller and Matthew Barrow.

For up to date info on Paul and his classes please log onto www.chentaiji.co.uk