Reading this book helped me to reflect that I have gone through the same stages with many different activities. When I lived in Chicago, I was briefly enamored with kayaking, and took lessons at the UI pool. I went kayaking with friends, bought a kayak, and lived it for a while, but quickly lost interest. Aikido is the one thing that has stuck with me, and while I sometimes get frustrated being on plateaus, or being stuck, working on the basics never bothered me. Whenever I feel like I'm in a rut, I can concentrate on the basics, like tai no henko or even just tenkan. But, I feel like the plateaus last longer. I've just learned not to worry about them as much, and keep going with those small parts.
Reading this book helped me to reflect that I have gone through the same stages with many different activities. When I lived in Chicago, I was briefly enamored with kayaking, and took lessons at the UI pool. I went kayaking with friends, bought a kayak, and lived it for a while, but quickly lost interest. Aikido is the one thing that has stuck with me, and while I sometimes get frustrated being on plateaus, or being stuck, working on the basics never bothered me. Whenever I feel like I'm in a rut, I can concentrate on the basics, like tai no henko or even just tenkan. But, I feel like the plateaus last longer. I've just learned not to worry about them as much, and keep going with those small parts.
Recently, I don't think people appreciate or understand "mastery". It seems like something from the distant past, especially to the younger generation these days. People don't want to put in the effort for something that they do not get instant results or rewards. Aikido is one of those rare arts that people can continue doing for a very long time and still feel like you have not mastered it but people are fine with that because they enjoy the journey. Aikido is about the journey of love. Love for others and yourself.
This book reminds me that it's ok to be on the journey to mastery for a long time. And the journey is the key part of the experience. The milestones are merely stops. After reading this book, it's made me feel better about being where I am at with my level versus wondering why I am not better. And I still can't believe that I have been sticking with Aikido consistently for almost 3 years now. I have taken on many hobbies in the past and have been in the honeymoon stage for many times but very few of those things have actually stuck with me. I feel very lucky that I have found Aikido.
Reading this book helped me to reflect that I have gone through the same stages with many different activities. When I lived in Chicago, I was briefly enamored with kayaking, and took lessons at the UI pool. I went kayaking with friends, bought a kayak, and lived it for a while, but quickly lost interest. Aikido is the one thing that has stuck with me, and while I sometimes get frustrated being on plateaus, or being stuck, working on the basics never bothered me. Whenever I feel like I'm in a rut, I can concentrate on the basics, like tai no henko or even just tenkan. But, I feel like the plateaus last longer. I've just learned not to worry about them as much, and keep going with those small parts.
ReplyDeleteReading this book helped me to reflect that I have gone through the same stages with many different activities. When I lived in Chicago, I was briefly enamored with kayaking, and took lessons at the UI pool. I went kayaking with friends, bought a kayak, and lived it for a while, but quickly lost interest. Aikido is the one thing that has stuck with me, and while I sometimes get frustrated being on plateaus, or being stuck, working on the basics never bothered me. Whenever I feel like I'm in a rut, I can concentrate on the basics, like tai no henko or even just tenkan. But, I feel like the plateaus last longer. I've just learned not to worry about them as much, and keep going with those small parts.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I don't think people appreciate or understand "mastery". It seems like something from the distant past, especially to the younger generation these days. People don't want to put in the effort for something that they do not get instant results or rewards. Aikido is one of those rare arts that people can continue doing for a very long time and still feel like you have not mastered it but people are fine with that because they enjoy the journey. Aikido is about the journey of love. Love for others and yourself.
ReplyDeleteThis book reminds me that it's ok to be on the journey to mastery for a long time. And the journey is the key part of the experience. The milestones are merely stops. After reading this book, it's made me feel better about being where I am at with my level versus wondering why I am not better. And I still can't believe that I have been sticking with Aikido consistently for almost 3 years now. I have taken on many hobbies in the past and have been in the honeymoon stage for many times but very few of those things have actually stuck with me. I feel very lucky that I have found Aikido.