Remember when we used to just grab someone and throw them down? How about those times when we would just shake people’s hands or give them a hug? Ahh, the good old days before COVID seem so long ago – a bunch of cherished memories. It must be human nature to value things when they are at their end or are long gone. This attitude seems like such a waste. When something is pointlessly thrown away or wasted, the Japanese express regret by saying, “mottainai” (勿体無い). Author, Hitoshi Chiba explains mottainai, “We often hear in Japan the expression ‘mottainai’, which loosely means ‘wasteful’ but in its full sense conveys a feeling of awe and appreciation for the gifts of nature or the sincere conduct of other people. There is a trait among Japanese people to try to use something for its entire effective life or continue to use it by repairing it. In this caring culture, people will endeavor to find new homes for possessions they no longer need. The ‘mottainai’ principle extends to the dinner table, where many consider it rude to leave even a single grain of rice in the bowl. The concern is that this traditional trait may be lost.” Understanding mottainai and that there’s no guarantee of a tomorrow, a warrior cultivates a mindset that cherishes. Even our opponent who falls before us is mourned because their life sadly ended in waste. In Aikido, the uke sacrifices themselves so that we can achieve some sort of physical perfection. Understanding this, there is a regretful appreciation for their sacrifice and so their bodies and their efforts should be treated with care and not wasted. This too is mottainai. We miss our “old” lives, but do we miss it because we took it for granted? Or do we miss it because we cherished and savored every moment. Our lives are a gift and so we should use it to its utmost and that is why a warrior doesn’t waste.
Today’s goal: Things may be different, but did you cherish those days or waste them? Today, don’t mottainai!