Graditude

First, if you're reading this (which you obviously are), I thank you for sticking with me (or checking in periodically) through my wishy-washy, much to be desired in terms of dedication, stints. I love you and I apologize if you've felt neglected. I want to say I'll get better, and I hope to. Really. Ok, enough shmoop.. onto the topic at hand. And a small forewarning, this is a somewhat personal (introspective) blog entry.

Recently the topic of a possible job relocation for my husband has been surfacing. It's a somewhat sensitive topic in the household, mainly because from the beginning I was pretty adamant about wanting to stay put-at least for now. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally an adventurous girl at heart, but with family here, and my son having so much time with the family, and add my aikido family to the mix, well, it's tough to pack up so easily. But I try to be supportive and open-minded.

Recently we took a trip out to the West Coast, the location where we could be pointing the U-Haul in the future. I think I was on GREAT behavior...went through model homes, checked Trulia for houses under 1million in every new town we explored, and even found the local Yoshinkan dojo. Yep. I did a TON of research beforehand and found-and contacted-the West Coast Sensei's of the local school. I inquired about visiting and being a guest on the mat for a class, and of course, they welcomed me with open arms. I don't know if you have had much time training in another dojo, or if you remember your early days of training. But I stood on the mat feeling that old feeling of being a newbie (a feeling I hadn't had in a handful of years now), a bit awkward and unsure but soon class began and off we went.

Let me first say that this was my first time visiting another dojo, doing aikido, training, on someone else's mats. I was amazed. I was amazed that we spoke the same (or very, very similar) language. Both literally (Japanese) and figuratively. And what completely humbled me and simultaneously swelled my heart with pride was how much I felt that my training, both past and current, have shaped me into a great aikidoka. I don't necessarily mean ability-wise, but mindset. Ability to learn, to adjust, to blend with new people, new teachers, a new place. I felt SO grateful that I have had the years I've had, training where I have and with the people I have. Not just the amazing teacher I have had, but all the senior students, all the instructors, all my fellow juniors. I never take it for granted.

That night, while the warm West Coast air was blowing through my hair as I left the dojo, I was thinking about so many things-where I had gone, where I was going, what was in my future as an aikidoka. I felt immensely gracious for everything and hoped that no matter where I would be bowing in for class, that I always remembered the feeling I had this very night.

That I am one lucky, lucky gal.


 A special thank you to Aikido Del-Mar for allowing me to be a guest and train with you guys. Osu!