Aikido of San Diego had it’s holiday party at my home this past Saturday afternoon after a fun and vigorous class at the dojo. Like most parties, it started slowly with a few early arrivals. About an hour later I looked over the back yard and thought, “Yes, this is the most well-attended one we’ve ever had. Good sign. I hope there’s enough food (that’s my Jewish mom coming through).”  Then I started to look a little deeper—beyond the numbers. There were children, seniors, and every generation in between represented. There were retired people, scientists, students, store clerks, construction workers, computer programmers, bookkeepers, teachers, and the list goes on. There were groups of people engaged in stories and conversation, and no discernable way in which the groups were made up. You just couldn’t profile them, and for some reason, that made me smile. I was gazing over a community of people with Aikido at its center, and all that it truly represents turning its wheels. What is that? Our common humanity, and desire to belong. Real community. I love it, and love that the practice of Aikido helps create that.