So ends another year – this year has for me been a year of ups and downs and new responsibilities.
On the home front I became a Dad for the first time, and this has obviously changed my perspectives and made me feel more responsible and meant that my priorities have needed to be re-jiggled.
I was also ill for a month at the start of the year too, but thankfully that has passed and I am now ‘fighting fit’ again. In fact I ran another half marathon in September which I enjoyed and it raised some money for the British Heart Foundation.
On the Budo front I have been able to maintain my training throughout the changes in my life, though I have needed to modify how and when I practice, though the insights gained from training I try to apply to my life more generally.
Within my training I have had a strong focus on trying to develop and strengthen my core principles and the foundation from which we work. We have trained constantly in the Kihon and its applications. We have studied the Ten Chi Jin and also looked at the first level of Gyokko Ryu, which contain some important ideas. We have looked at some work with the sword and some work with the knife too.
I have maintained my connection with my main teacher in London, and I have gained useful insights from these frequent trips. With my life at present I won’t be able to travel to Japan for a while yet, so maintaining links to be in a position to do so has been important to me.
Next year we will be continuing the theme of foundations within our classes, but also looking at the sword too (as per Soke’s theme for 2012).
I look forward to seeing you there.
Jim
