| Dear
parents and students,
It
is amazing how the months have flown by, and another year
is coming to an end. We had an excellent Autumn Season, although
it consisted of shorter cycles of 6 classes each.
Thank you so much for your attention, enthusiasm, and participation
during class.
Life
and time are precious. Preparing and packing to leave for
Singapore reminded me of that and the season of Advent in
the church calendar - four weeks of anticipation and preparation
for Christmas. Ever mindful and anticipating our approaching
departure, we scurried along making lists and packing - knowing
we may never be quite perfectly ready but doing our best to
ensure that we had all we needed for the trip.
Are we always totally ready and prepared? Perhaps
not ever totally.
It is the same with daily and weekly Aikido practice. We practice
not to prepare to fight, but to keep ourselves agile, alert,
disciplined, respectful, honourable, technically prepared,
and integrated so we make better choices, are healthy, and
live with an appreciation for life. Sure, we practice seriously
when we are in the Dojo, but our first choice, should we find
ourselves in a situation, should not be to fight. That would
not be in the spirit of Aiki.
Practising
with my Sensei again reassured me that I am on the right track.
We still have a way to go with regard to Dojo and personal
discipline in Victoria, but we will continue to work on that.
Besides students and Aikido, talk with my Sensei has also
been centered on the Hombu Dojo trip in May 2012, as this
will mark the 50 Anniversary of the All Japan Aikido Demonstration
at Budokan. It will be a wonderful celebration, I'm sure.
As
we wind down toward the end of our trip here, I am looking
forward to returning to Victoria and being with you once again.
We will hit the ground running as we have been invited to
a martial arts demonstration on Friday 6 January, at 6pm.
Only some will be involved, so a huge thank you to the people
I have contacted who have consented to help out with that.
Classes will resume in the New Year, on Tuesday 10 January
2012. For your convenience, the year-long registration option
will still be available in January. Deductions are monthly,
either through direct debit or credit card. Feel free to invite
your friends or family if you think Aikido may be beneficial
to them.
For
updates, do click on the link to the Notices webpage on our
website.
If
you have any concerns, questions, or need clarification about
anything, feel free to contact me.
And
so as we leave our past to memories, and make our moment-to-moment
choices for a better year ahead...
I wish you a blessed Christmas,
a restful and enjoyable holiday season,
and a most meaningful and prosperous New Year.
See
you in the Dojo.
With
peace and harmony,
Rafael Oei Sensei.
Ueshiba Aikido
Victoria
© Ueshiba Aikido Victoria – OWH Industries: Dec
2011.
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