…I will keep on practicing, not for the prowess in self-defense, not for rank or prestige, not even for the wonderful and life-changing lessons that flow from this art. I will practice Aikido for the sheer, unmitigated beauty of it.
– George Leonard, Way of Aikido
OK, I’m sick. My son brought home a cold the week before and I caught his. I got bad Wednesday, felt better Thursday, better yesterday and relapsed today. Apparently a frog has decided to possess my vocal chords and i’m hacking and coughing. Hence, I did not want to infect the dojo so I haven’t trained all week . I’m unfortunately missing a seminar today with Nadeau Sensei and Heini Sensei that I really wanted to go to. If by some strange circumstance I feel better tomorrow I will take Steven and head over. They have a session from 10 to 12.
I’m at a really good place in my training right now. At this point, I’m not worried about my test. Regardless of whether I pass or fail, it will be fine. This does not mean I’m not concerned with performing to the best of my ability. It’s nice to not have anxiety around this though. When our Sensei was asked with how he deals with a less than optimal day on the mat, he simply said, “it’s only Aikido. No one got fired as a result of a bad performance. No one lost money, had tragedy, etc.”
It’s a nice place to be. I believe that the lessons we learn on the Aikido mat help us in other aspects. Thich Naht Hanh said, “if you can still inhale and exhale for that moment, you know you are OK.” I’ve said before that Aikido is a microcosm of the world, so if I can be still and OK with however way my test goes, then I can be OK with other aspects of my life. I can know that regardless of the situation, I’ve given it the best of me.
So, hopefully I will feel better tomorrow. It would be regrettable to not get some training in this weekend but it’s not the end of the world. I’ve not been on the same mat as Nadeau Sensei in probably 20 years. There’s always another seminar though. If not tomorrow, then sometime soon.
Oh, and by the way. I’m trying out the kindle app for Windows Vista on my laptop. Before I bought anything crazy like an Apple Ipad (out next week) I wanted to see as to the readability of the kindle app. The quote I found was from George Leonard’s book, “The Way of Aikido, Life Lessons from an American Sensei.” I like that he has such a simple and down to the point writing style. More so, I really enjoy the quote. Aikido is a beautiful thing; whether realized on the mat, used to evoke a creative outlet, or to calm a not so calm situation.
Mark's Meanderings 