“Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.” – Cesar Chavez
Success in any endeavor requires us to be good at collaboration and so we must be good at asking for help. In class, when we ask someone to train with us, we say, “onegaishimasu.” In this context, onegaishimasu (お願いします) means “Please do me this favor.” In Aikido, the techniques are our vehicle towards the mastery of Aikido and thus we need someone else’s help achieve that. A true warrior is a good collaborator and a good collaborator only needs to master these four phrases: “I am wrong,” “I am sorry,” “I love you,” and “I need help.” These four phrases can be very difficult to sincerely say but being able to honestly say them demonstrates our true character. If we can admit that we are wrong, it reveals our level of humility and shows that we are aware of our strengths and weaknesses. To honestly apologize shows that we live with integrity and can own up to our mistakes. To sincerely say “I love you” shows what is truly in our hearts and that we care about others. To ask for help is probably the hardest thing to say because we can fake all the others, but we cannot fake asking for help. Also asking for help is hard because we somehow think it is a sign of weakness but to ask for help is probably one’s ultimate show of strength. Thus, every technique we practice with our partner begins with, “onegaishimasu.” None of us exist in a vacuum and we all need help at some time or another. A true warrior knows that asking for help shows their real level of awareness, humility and integrity, but it also shows what is truly in their hearts. Being vulnerable is not defeat or weakness, but rather showing what is truly in our hearts is the ultimate strength. Onegaishimasu.
Today’s goal: Can you ask someone for help or can you give someone some help who needs assistance?