“We don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training.” Archilochus
Behave like a martial artist. To behave means “to act or conduct oneself in a specified way, especially toward others.” This leads us to understand that following the way of budo or “the martial arts” is a behavior that is as much mental as it is physical. Most things have already been codified into a set of steps or the skills that when mastered can bring about success. In Japanese, these skills are called kihon (基本) or “basics.” When we train in Aikido, we train to develop the basic movements which in turn develop us physically, but while we are creating order within our movements, we are also creating order within ourselves. Training then forges us both physically and mentally which creates behaviors which are the best tools for one’s success. The Greek poet Archilochus alludes to this when he said, “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations; we fall to the level of our training.” How we prepare ourselves creates the opportunity for our success and thus a martial artist fails to the level of their preparation. The behavior of “being” a martial artist benefits us both in the dojo and in all aspects of our lives. Furuya Sensei said, “The only proof that we have mastered Aikido or, at least, have begun to understand its principles, is the degree to which we have incorporated it into our lives.” In budo, there is a saying, “everything you do matters.” How we behave reflects on our dojo, on our teacher, on our training, and on our art. Thus, how we do anything is how we do everything and so everything we do matters. Behave like a martial artist.
Today’s goal: Ask yourself, “Is this how a martial artist acts?”