Aspiration

A sensei once told me to “stop standing on my skeleton.” He meant that I was locked into position and stiff, so if attacked, I would not be able to react smoothly and effectively. Later, another sensei introduced me to “Enzan no Metsuke”—gazing at the mountains. Rather than fixedly watching an opponent, you observe the larger picture—instead of watching his eyes or the sword, you observe the entire tableau before you. The emphasis of both lessons is to be flexible and receptive to change. Like many things you learn in martial arts, they apply to other parts of your life.

Over the years, if these principles don’t smoothly guide you on your path in life, they will make it easier for you to achieve your goals. You are attentive to your entire environment and flexible in responding to change. 

Let’s call these enabling skills. If you reach a dead end, you’ve already considered other paths and avenues—you don’t stand on your skeleton; you are flexible and respond to obstructions rather than become defeated because you did not anticipate them. 

Whatever the central guiding principle sparks you to action in life, you’ll need skills and attitudes that will allow you to succeed. Alone, without other skills, they’ll remain aspirations and not accomplishments.

Daily writing prompt

What gives you direction in life?

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