Aikido as a way of life.

 I just read an article about breadcrumbing. I realized that is what is happening with one of my loved ones. I identified with the ideas of someone being in relationship with me and only giving a little, being mad at me for something that I don't understand and hanging up the phone saying they just can't talk now and not calling back or answering texts. It feels like when uke attacks with no energy. When I receive an honest, heartfelt attack I know how to deal with it. I can connect with the energy and turn or enter. I can resolve the situation for myself by changing what I can, which is me.   Now I am challenged off the mat to deal with a less than honest attack. First, I must acknowledge to myself that I am not crazy, bad or wrong. People do what they do because of them not because I caused it. It's okay for me to be how I am. I am not hurtful to others. I am learning to define myself and not let others define me. I will step past this as I do a shomen attack that I am no

 Yesterday Ron started class with ki exercise as warm ups as usual. Then he did several ryo katetori techniques focusing on extension. When it was my turn to teach I did the same movements with the short sword with the same focus. We are training upstairs in our house right now on Zoom so we don't have to heat the dojo for just the two of us. It is challenging and rewarding. I noticed at a class a few weeks ago that the new normal is feeling more comfortable. My  nervousness about people understanding what we are doing and getting value from our classes has lessened. It has been a powerful experience of adapting to what is and enjoying what we can do. Our classes are well attended with 6 to eight people joining us 3 times a week. Ron and I are grateful to be able to practice.