Furuya Sensei posted this to his Daily Message on May 2, 2004
In one sense, we must practice with kindness, in another sense, as a martial art, Aikido is very strict and demanding. As you go higher in rank and experience, Aikido is more unforgiving and becomes more difficult - you must understand this as a part of your training and Path. It is the challenge and the overcoming of many difficulties that you can polish yourself and discover your greater self.
Please continue your faithful training and please continue to seek to find yourself deeper and deeper in this art of Aikido. Loyalty is a great virtue, very rare in this day and age. Loyalty means that you can be trusted and relied upon without any doubt - this is the greatest compliment anyone can pay to you. Be loyal and committed to the Aikido spirit.
Correct form (manners) develops correct attitude. Correct attitude develops correct form. You can understand a path better when you travel it both ways going to and from. In your practice, look at everything from the standpoint of your practice, NOT your self. The self you generally rely on is not your true self, Your True Self understands and has already mastered the Way.