If you have to use Aikido, you're not doing Aikido

One of those "if a tree falls in the forest" things, you ask?  I thought so when I first read this phrase in Morihei Ueshiba's collection of quotes called The Art of Peace.   
I didn't take Aikido because I wanted to feel physically safe.  It seemed to me that in order to use Aikido as a method of self defense, one would have to be really gifted in the art.  Even after earning a black belt, I still didn't feel confident that I was capable of winning a fight with a more powerful opponent.  No, I was practicing Aikido because when I was on the mat I felt an exhilerating sense of being part of something much bigger than myself, an aliveness and energetic flow that felt terrific.
I overheard a father and son talking about the Karate lessons they were taking.  The boy was surprised that he had never been in a situation where he needed to defend himself.  The father said that that was the essense of learning a martial art.  You realigned your energy with the practice.  As your energy changes, you stop attracting potentially violent situations. 
In short, if you have to use Aikido, you're not doing Aikido.
Since coming out on top in a successful physical altercation was not my goal, when did I feel like I "had to use Aikido"?   Usually when I felt that I needed to defend myself in my interactions with friends, colleagues, or clients in order to protect what my ego told me was the "real me". Nice, verbal Aikido, of course. 
As I continue practicing The Art of Peace,  I've discovered that the "real me" needs no defense since it is not seperate from whatever surrounds me. That realization has made it much easer to better harmonize with whatever life gives me.  After all, the real me is one with it all.
I remind myself that in order to feel that delicious sense oneness with life, all I have to do is stop using Aikido, and to start doing Aikido.

The Joy of Making Stuff

The internet brings to our attention so many amazing artists, writers, entertainers, and musicians. Some of the work is very professional, and some, not so much. It’s of the amateurs that I now speak; those who have the courage to go ahead and post a piece of art or video or music for everyone to see (and comment on). Maybe you’ll like it, maybe you won’t. It doesn’t matter to them, because these folks just enjoy making stuff, and they do it because they love it.

I used to worry that having so much access to seeing or hearing truly “good” work, through radio, television, and other venues, might stifle creativity in the non-professional. How can one sing if they’re not Pavarotti, or do art if they’re not Picasso? That’s not what’s happening, though. Folks are creating with joy and sharing their creation with all of us. It’s beautiful, it’s inspiring and it’s fun.

We can’t all be professional artists, but we can all create from our hearts and find the freedom inherent in expressing our true selves through our (playful) work. Creativity lives in us all. We need to let it out to play every now and then. A little fresh air and exercise is a tonic for the body. Fresh ideas and self expression are tonics for the soul.

What are you focusing on?

Walking my dog at a local park one morning I noticed a man going back and forth to his car.  He loaded up on picnic baskets and blankets.  The next trip he had his arms full of kid toys.  On the third trip were tiny bikes, one with training wheels and one a balance bike.  As I passed him, I asked him if he were preparing for a birthday party.


"Yes," he answered "Mine."

I remarked that it certainly didn't look like the party was for him.

Then he smiled broadly and said to me "I'm looking at life through a different lens."

Children certainly changed the life of this generous man, and he accepted it fully and joyfully.  The best gift for him, now, was the happiness of his children. 

Looking at life through a different lens is what we all need to do in the face of change.

What can we focus on to help us view our life in a way that will enrich our experience rather than diminish it?  Even when we think there is not much around us to appreciate or enjoy, we could be wrong.  It's corny, but it might be worth it to put on those rose-colored glasses.  We might as well like who we are, what we're doing, and what's going on.  Really, what else do we have?

Break Out the Dreams

I was stunned when I heard this poem by Gwendolyn Brooks:

"We are things of dry hours and the involuntary plan,
Grayed in, and gray. "Dream" mate, a giddy sound, not strong
Like "rent", "feeding a wife", "satisfying a man".

But could a dream sent up through onion fumes
Its white and violet, fight with fried potatoes
And yesterday's garbage ripening in the hall,
Flutter, or sing an aria down these rooms,

Even if we were willing to let it in,
Had time to warm it, keep it very clean,
Anticipate a message, let it begin?

We wonder. But not well! not for a minute!
Since Number Five is out of the bathroom now,
We think of lukewarm water, hope to get in it."


Despite the pressures of daily life and economic havoc, can we still dream our brave dreams of a better world?  In times like these, we need our vision more than ever.  Prioritize your dream time!  It's most important for us to break free of "reality" and dream the new world into being.