Aikido has taught me a lot.  It has helped me to maintain calm and serenity in the midst of endless attacks.

Today in class we practiced mume jiyu waza - any attack, any throw - eyes closed.  Your other senses become heightened and thoughts disappear.  It was interesting to do this practice again for it had been several years since I last did it.  I was able to be calm and soft even though the attacks were hard and direct.  My "opponent" was not harmed and I finished with a calm mind; my breath was relaxed - unhurried.

Aikido is about self defense.  There is no attacking.  We don't learn punching nor kicking nor blocks.  We don't attack.  We respond accordingly depending on what our opponent brings us.

Sometimes in real fights, especially on the street where the opponents know different styles, it is standard to try to get the other to fight on their own ground in the same style they fight in.  Then it is familiar and easy.  So, for example, if a boxer meets an Aikido practitioner, the boxer will want to box and feel it is unfair if the Aikido person will not box.  If the Aikido person is not interested in fighting a boxing style and the boxer refuses to attack...well there is no fight - it is over.

In the past, I have met some who wanted to box and though it was tempting, I chose not to.  I have been trying to live up to the standards of Aikido.  I was neither fighting with nor engaging them.  I was not afraid.  They had given me nothing to work with so I simply walked away.

I didn't walk away in defeat for there is no winner or loser when there was no fight. 

I am, as always - right here.