The universe has its own glue built into it. Different dimensions have different glue, but they all have the quality of allurement. In Aikido the glue is care, curiosity, and compassion. Without it, practice becomes something other than Aikido. You will express something other than Aikido…at very best, a cheaper knock-off of an original. At worst, a fear-mongering, fire-breathing, ass-scratching ignoramus who nobody wants to play with. Oh, my…

On this day, my forty-fifth birthday and the day before Thanksgiving, I’m feeling very grateful. For me, this year has been one of crisis, drama, pain, love, confusion, frustration, insight, reconciliation, loss, and growth. Why doesn’t matter, so don’t ask. The point is that it turned out okay and I’m lucky to be a healthy guy with two great kids, a loving and supportive wife, and a family who’s there for me. I get to lead a dojo community full of people interested in the real heart of Aikido—a group of people who respect me and care about me. I’ve got teachers who have taken a real interest in me and support my development and career. I have many friends who offer their support without even asking, which was incredibly helpful this year. I’m a lucky guy. It’s easy to be grateful for such positive things…when we notice them. I’m also grateful, though, for the challenges I’ve been through and continue to work with—for the “Nages” who extract the best uke out of me, and the “Ukes” who draw the most appropriate Nage out of me. They both can be, for a moment, pains in the ass. But if there’s anything I’ve gotten out of this year it’s that gratefulness creates the opportunity for transforming fuck-up into function. May you have a grateful Thanksgiving, a wonderful holiday season, and the strength to hang in there long enough to see the silver linings.