Rock-climbing with my son, Phil, I had my elbows bent and toes clinging to their purchase. My left hand stretched up and grabbed the next hold. Phil, spotting me from the floor, encouraged me to move my right foot up and then move in one movement - straightening that right knee and extending my right hand to grab the next finger-hold with the white-colored tape below it. My leg wouldn't straighten and my right arm was shaking from holding the tension too long. I said, "I need to come down," and dropped to the spongy mat below. It occurred to me there were no teachers grading me, no experts judging me, if I wanted to drop to the floor that was my decision and the right one for me at that moment. Rock-climbing is complex and challenging, taking time and experience to improve. You go at your own pace and watch others as a way to gain insight. Thinking through the steps you need for each route engages your puzzle-solving/problem-solving skills.
This trip to China was a problem-solving trip. The previous trips I traveled with a group and had a tour guide. Many arrangements were made for me. Things went smoothly and successfully without many obstacles. This trip was different.
First of all, I went alone. In many ways this was a benefit. If I felt like going to bed at 5:30 p.m. I could do that without considering anyone else’s wants or desires; likewise with choosing where to eat or whether to go out with friends. However, when exploring Beijing, either by shopping or by going out at night, one needs a friend.
Teacher talked about this concept when it was time for me to go to the airport. He said he wanted to go with me to protect me. He said if a person goes out alone – like walking through the streets – the pick-pockets and thieves can rob them. But, if a friend walks beside them, the thief stays away. I told him I was taking a taxi and would be fine, but I appreciated the gesture and the security that comes from having a friend beside you.
Secondly, I arrived in Beijing sick. Couple that with jetlag and I was very low energy-wise for the first several days. Add to that waking up on the second morning with severe rib pain when I coughed or laughed and I wasn’t too happy!
Thirdly, Teacher wanted a large sum of money for his teaching, which I wasn’t prepared for. This felt like a set-back and I wondered if I should just return to the States.
Fredrick Nietzsche said, “That which does not kill you outright, can only make you stronger.”
And Robert Henri said in his book, The Art Spirit, written in 1923:
“Do not let the fact that things are not made for you, that conditions are not as they should be, stop you. Go on anyway. Everything depends on those who go on anyway.”
I went anyway and am glad I did. There were lessons to be learned in the midst of the struggles.
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