Title

Artistic Statement

In my experience, the process of composition is a meditative puzzle. A puzzle which can be solved in several ways. In one method, I begin with my passion for words. It is this passion that feeds the discoveries of melody, harmony and rhythm, inviting these elements of the creative process to organically arise and fuse together.

Words, however are not my only source of inspiration. My love of science and math has nurtured in me an appreciation of patterns found in nature and in general living - patterns that are angular and harsh, those that are soft and circular, and the ones that sublimely combine these two extremes. Cumulatively, patterns weave their way into my life, and as such, illuminate and guide the composition process.

In the end, no matter which process I use as a guide, I have found the flow of composing to be similar to the flow of solving an equation or the flow of working towards a theory. If there is a solution, then there exists an elegant solution, or in my case, an elegant composition. The final composition is a combination of patterns, melodies, harmonies and rhythms which, through much thought, much silence and much letting go, fall into place like the pieces of a puzzle.

New Awareness Through Closer Movement Examination

The Vital Force / Quarterly Journal of T’ai Chi Chih / August 2009 / Volume 26, No.3

By Catherine Dalton

My initial thought about Pulling In The Energy? It’s not one of my favorite movements. It might be easier to write about something else. But perhaps by more closely examining Pulling In The Energy, I’d discover more about my relationship with it. Perhaps I would sink into the movement in a new and different way. I geared up for the challenge.

I’ve heard Pulling In The Energy taught as an upside down version of Around The Platter. Yes, it does look like that and yet, it is an entirely different movement. When I begin Pulling In The energy with palms turned upward, the position of my hands alone speaks volumes. During this movement, I am open to Chi, changes starts, new ideas. I am open to flow and balance in a new way that differentiates this movement.

Maybe this has been the root of my resistance to Pulling In The Energy - - movement I’ve often done more with my thoughts. Maybe my resistance to sinking into the movement has actually been my resistance to being open to change. What if the change my hands say I’m open to is not the change I want? What if these new ideas cause me to question strongly held beliefs? What if I am asked to change in ways that make me no longer me?

Writing these questions make them seem like silly questions. Of course, by doing T’ai Chi Chih I will change. Certainly, strongly held beleifs will be questionsed. Clearly, the changes that come will not take me away from myself - but will, instead, bring me closer to who I am. And yet, there is a resistance. Have you felt this yourself? through thoughtful examination of Pulling In The Energy, I’ve discoverd a blockage to the flow of Chi. I know that this new awareness will enhance my practice of TCC and I am grateful.

This is also th only movement for which Justin has told us we can use a visualization. Imagining energy coming from the most distant star into our fingertips is a powerful visualization. Yet, there is more to the movement.

Neither liking nor disliking a movement has anything to do with the flow of Chi. I don’t believe Chi cares about such matters. The purpose of all movements, despite the interference of thought, is to move and balance the Chi.

High School Graduation Welcome Speech

Mahtomedi High School

Catherine Dalton, Independent School District 832 Board of Education Treasurer

June 6, 2009

Good evening everyone. I would like to extend a warm welcome to Parents, Families and friends of the graduates, the Board of Education, Administration, Teachers and Support staff of the Mahtomedi Area Public Schools, and finally to the graduates themselves.

Congratulations! Just think, it was only 13 short years ago that you walked into that Kindergarten classroom. And now here you are today, ... Graduates of the class of 2009.

From this point onward, I believe, your life will change in one very important way. Up to this point you have had a lot of people making decisions for you. Now, it’s up to you.

I understand that you have already made many decisions about your life. I also understand that there are still a lot of hoops that you have to jump through to reach your goals, and that those hoops do not necessarily represent options to you. However, compared with your life up to this point, you will be making more decisions.

How you will determine what those decisions are, and how you will make them will matter.

Poet Mary Oliver writes,
“Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

“What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

That is quite a question. One I would suggest is worth remembering every minute of every day.
How is this moment best spent and this moment and so on as the moments lead to days, and then to years, and together they make up your life.

But how to choose. T.S. Eliot provides one possible answer to this question: “Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out just how far one can go.”
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out just how far one can go.”

Now, I would like to go on record here that I am not advocating what I might call life threatening risks or not-very-smart risks. I am talking about risks that encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and help you grow an an individual or as a contributor to society.

For example: Even though you may be headed into the field of engineering, don’t forget that you always wanted to write that book.

Or, even though you going to school to be a graphic artist, don’t forget your fascination with mysteries of quantum physics.

Yes, you plan to be an auto mechanic, a pilot, a doctor. But what about your dream to to be in that play.

Even within the boundaries of your job, keep in mind that every moment is an opportunity to open doors that appear to be sealed shut. Take a chance that what is on the other side is where you need to go.

It is very likely that you will change your job several times and that your life will take unexpected turns:

Remember,
Every moment counts,
Keep the doors open,
Go too far.

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Thank you and congratulations.