Today's Schedule:

5:15-6:15pm Aikido

6:30-7:30pm Aikido

On the Internet: HAVE SOME DIGNITY:

I think that in practice, people should be humble and modest, but it doesn't mean that you cannot cultivate dignity and honor in your thoughts, words and actions.

In modesty, express your self-respect and do honor to yourself by conducting yourself in a noble and dignified way.

Cheap talk and putting others down only shows how little you think of yourself. Do not lower yourself but strive for a higher standard of behavior and grander expectations of yourself.

This goes not only for Aikido, but for all aspects of your Life.

What I notice most of all is that we do not pay attention to each other and all the things around us. I am not talking about the half-hearted, superficial way we pay attention - hardly listening to what the other person is saying and not taking any time to hear and understand what they are trying to communicate to you, and being too absorbed in your own thoughts and musing. I am talking about TRUE attention, where you stop everything inside yourself and for a second or minute or two, give yourself to the other person, body and mind, and really try to make a connection with him. To really hear what he is saying. . . .

In class when I teach and in normal communication, I notice that everything must be repeated over and over and over again. I often fear that I am not communicating properly or clearly enough but then I see that the other person is hardly listening at all - not much we can do about this, except say the same thing over and over again. . . .

Only a person strong within himself can give himself to others, generally we are too weak and afraid to hear what the other person has to say or see who he is. . . . we are too afraid and this fear is the beginning of ignorance. . . . .