Spring and Balance

So far, this has been a very busy Spring on many fronts.  The dojo is no exception.  We have a Yondan test approaching for Sensei's 2 most senior students, an very solid adult program (top heavy and good quality), and Seminars out the wazoo.

Kenshu is wrapping up and the slightest sparks of excitement around the culminating presentation are beginning to build.  There is a lot of growth in the air.  Without looking outside or giving any attention to the weather, it feels like spring.

For me personally, this has been a very difficult year.  It has been difficult to stay healthy and work has been as hard and stressful as it has ever been in my life.  There have been many anchors to stability and sanity in these times.  Aikido has been a constant one.

The fall began with preparations for Nidan.  Although my cardiovascular conditioning was not where it was for Shodan, I felt good about the test in general.  It took over a month for the official promotion to come from Japan, but I was pleased with the experience.  From there, more and more things seemed to be competing for my time on training days.  Sickness and injury aside, the girls needed more of my presence this year, and I'd like to think I did a good job of being there for them.  Training time took a definite cut.  But when I was there, the challenges and the spirit of the training were waiting from me.

Earlier in my training, I would have been more likely to NOT make the extra time for my family.  Stress at home would result, and I would justify it by telling myself that I was doing something very important in personal development.  OR, I would also be likely to make more time for my family and spend a lot of energy feeling guilty that I was not at Aikido.  Choosing to undertake any personal activity outside of the home while maintaining a healthy family life is a balancing act to be sure.  No one can tell you where that balance should be.  Well, they can (and often do), but it does not mean anything unless the balance works for you and your life.

Spring is here and the fact that things are always changing is fairly evident.  The Kenshu presentation is approaching, and our dojo's own seminar will be part of our 10th anniversary celebration that testifies to Sensei Lemmon's efforts and those of the dojo community.

It is a time of growth and change.  Things come.  Things go.  Things are always different.  That is the balance.