The quote I'm sharing with you this week is one of many quotes that deal with the importance of living in the present. Every decision and every experience is rooted in the many moments that occur in our lives. It is so elusive that once you say "Now", that moment in that second has passed into history, and all future "Now" moments remains imaginary. They don't exist; except in our minds.

It echoes a code the samurai follow: to ensure that his personal affairs are in order each day - without debts and quarrels; with each day spent wisely and honourably; knowing that his family will be provided for - because a samurai lives with the possibility of dying unexpectedly at any time. When you live a life with such single mindedness, everything is in place and the future becomes assured with all goals achieved. Diligent Aikido practice (daily, monthly and yearly) reaps the same result. Focus on the present with integrity and not how fast or slow time passes while practising. The experience will fall into "no time" and before you know it, you would have done a thousand sword cuts, a thousand irimi-nages, and a thousand breakfalls; and your personal journey and growth will surpass expectations.
(Copyright July 2004: Rafael Oei)

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