A Great Day

By Rey Robles, Southern Maryland Aikido Center, Waldorf, MD

rnrobles@yahoo.com

It's Thursday evening. I just parked my car and preparing myself for Aikido class. The day has been very hectic. Work has been full of problems that needed my attention immediately. Family issues are still on my mind. I tell myself, it's time. Clear your head of the day and focus on Aikido.

As I get out of the car, I'm ready. Since starting Aikido, the dojo was always a place of peace and calm. It is the best place to be when I experience days like today. I'm already looking forward to Aikido class that I didn't notice I was running to the door and up a set of stairs to the dojo. I made it.

I removed and stored my shoes in the vestibule of the dojo. The issues of the day are nearly gone from my mind. I exit the vestibule and enter the dojo. I then Bowing to the Kamiza. Looking around I see my Aikido Friends. I know them all. We've spent hours and hours training with one another here at our dojo. They are good people and we exchange greetings in the form of smiles, "good evenings", "konban wa", and the traditional respectful bow. I feel the calm and peace in this environment. Everyone is there. It is going to be a good night for aikido training. I'm sure the Sensei has a good class planned. I see him standing quietly in the corner. When he is like this, he is reviewing in his head the upcoming techniques for our evening's class.

I quickly change into my Aikido gi. My day is looking better and better. I bow to the Kamiza and step on the mat. I'm almost there. I hear the Sensei clap two times. My Aikido friends and I quickly line up and sit in seiza. The Sensei approaches and we bow in. I made it. Class is starting. The day's frustrations are gone. My focus is on the here and now, with good friends and Aikido. The elation I get from this place and these people is immense. This is exactly where I want to be right now.

As the class progressed, all my expectations are achieved. The Sensei has developed a good selection of techniques for us and has presented them in an awe inspiring way. The class is so good; the old saying, "time flies when you're having fun" is true. As we bowed out, I reflect on the Aikido techniques we just performed. One of my Aikido friends tells me,"You have been smiling the entire class. You must have really enjoyed yourself." I tell him, "I really did and I had a great day, today."