The Art of Falling Down

It's called "Aikido" :)

I've never done a martial art like this one. It's so different!

I'm accustomed to striking targets with my hands, feet, elbows, and knees. There's a sense of satisfaction that comes with that. You see how hard you hit your target, and you can judge if you're getting stronger or better.

But with Aikido, you learn how to defend against an attack by using your opponents' energy against them, usually deflecting their attack so that it results in their body slamming into the ground. That sounds just as cool, but there's a catch: Half the time, YOU'RE the one getting slammed to the ground. (You take turns with your partner, attacking and defending)

Repeatedly getting hit is so much easier than repeatedly getting thrown and having your joints nearly twisted off.

But I'm so glad for this experience. It's awesome to learn something new and to be tossed into uncomfortable positions.

Sobriety is an uncomfortable position too. Over the past week, I've felt mentally/emotionally/spiritually battered and bruised. But I'm glad for this experience. In Aikido, you get back up after each fall. I need to learn how to do that in other areas of my life.


Today, I'm grateful for ...

• being sober
• Aikido
• my sweet family and puppy
• my precious boyfriend
• my nice, warm, cozy bed ... i'm so tired right now ...
• God, who never falls