It has been two weeks (from March 17, 2020) since Aikido classes were suspended at the Gordon Head Recreation Centre. I do hope all is well with you and your family, and you are keeping in good health. As we didn't have an opportunity to celebrate together these two weeks, I would like to acknowledge and invite you to join me in congratulating and celebrating the birthdays of Aimee Gillam, Tamas-Jakab Arsenault, and Mina Morikawa. Then for the coming week, please join me in wishing Matthew Snowdon, Ryan Leong, and Sean Oei blessed and Happy Birthdays as well.

Staying at home has certainly been productive for those of us who have been waiting to complete little projects at home that had previously been put aside. While also increasing the time spent with the family to re-connect and re-affirm connections, being at home is also a time to pause, reflect, and reassess our priorities; especially when faced with one's mortality. As someone observed in a social media page, this is the first time when places of worship and casinos are closed at the same time in order for everyone to stay at home. When heaven and hell are in agreement, it must be deadly serious.

Having the time to reflect and review all that have transpired over the years, I noticed that it has been four years since I last shared an e-Reflection with you. Looking over all the e-Reflections since we began in 2003 and coming this far with you, there is nothing but a feeling of gratitude for all the support and the welcome we received from families, parents, and students since our first class. You have made our Aikido classes possible all these years. A very big THANK YOU to all of you.

Not being able to physically practice with each other in the Dojo highlights something important that I have mentioned many times before. "What do you do when no one is watching." That is the crux and basis of character and discipline. It isn't only what is done during class that matters. The lessons are shared, and the finer points of each technique are explained and demonstrated in class. It is what is being done every other day between the regularly scheduled classes that makes the difference.

Many people try to avoid the introspective journey of building a firm and steady foundation through self-observation, self-discipline, and daily practice. Now without the benefit of our weekly classes, may I suggest that this time is used to practice the attitude and discipline that are also essential to the techniques? A beginning may be to read through my old e-Reflections that initially served to introduce Aikido to families who were not familiar with the art. For long-time students who have already read through the old e-Reflections, I invite you to re-read and reflect on them again. When I did that this past week, I was amazed and refreshed, walking over the old dusty trails and paths again.

Until the next e-Reflection, stay awhile, and browse through the old articles and reflections.

Be well, be safe, and stay healthy.

With Blessings Always,
Rafael Oei Sensei.
(© Copyright April 2020: Rafael Oei)

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