Why wouldn't I?

Many friends wonder why I spend so much time, energy and money to practice Aikido.  

"When are you planning on using your fighting skills?" they ask.

"Never." I say.

"Never?  So why even work so hard to learn?"  Indeed, that is a good question.  

"You have to pay dues, attend seminars and pay promotion fees (for ranks).  They all add up!  What do you get out of it?  Does a promotion help you get more students?  But you don't even get paid teaching Aikido!  Why are you doing this??"  It makes people scratch their heads.

A few months back, student B came to us with a proposal:  "Will you go if I invite you and Mike for a hike at Harpers Ferry with me?" Looking at his giant lovely smile, I replied, "Sure."

The next thing you know, B texted the whole dojo, advertising "Mike and Meipo are going to Harpers Ferry with me on a hike.  Do you want to join us?"  😳  

At the end, we got a group of nine going together in two cars.  

At Harpers Ferry, you cross the Potomac River to get to the Point on the other side where you can observe the Potomac River and Shenandoah River and have a bird's eye view of the old town.  

It was a nice day with beautiful weather.  Students brought fruit, snacks and water.  We talked as we walked, took breaks once in a while to share food and water.  It was quite enjoyable.  

Finally, we got to the Point.  In small groups, people sat down to chat as they admire the beautiful view.  Mike and I sat down on some boulders at about right angle to each other.  Suddenly, I overheard the conversation in Mandarin between two men behind me . . . 

X:  You see that strange white man and the Vietnamese?  They brought so many children with them!

(I became really curious and started looking for such white man, the Vietnamese and children . . . )

Y:  Yeah.  So many kids and they are all different!

(I looked and looked.  Where are they?)

X:  You think the kids are all adopted?

Y:  Adopted?  But there are so many of them . . . 

(Just at this moment, Mike turned his head to look at the men's direction.)

X:  Oh, chut!  He can understand us!  Get up!  Let's go now!

The two men shot up and disappeared before I could even turn around in time to take a look at them.  

But, wait:  Given what they have said and done, Mike must be the "strange white man".  That would make me the "Vietnamese", and our colorful assortment of children . . . 

We told the students about the incident.  They laughed and teased us that we were the Aikido Brangelina.  One student said happily, "See?  To other people's eyes, we are like a family!  I really like it."  The group looked at each other and shared a heartfelt smile.

We had a late lunch at a restaurant that B scouted out ahead of time.  Everything was wonderful.  The big happy family had a really nice outing on this gorgeous spring day.

A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday, the group went to a nearby restaurant for dinner together after practice as usual.  There were eight of us.  At a junction, three decided to cross the street first and then keep walking towards the restaurant on the other side.  The five of us who could not catch the light stayed on this side of the street.  As we were waiting for the light to change, a woman pedestrian kept checking us out.  I wondered if she found us too loud and rowdy in public space.

She walked with us for a little distance.  Just as we were to to cross the street to get to the restaurant, she opened her mouth, "Excuse me: Earlier there was a small group that crossed the street.  Do you know them, too?" We said yes.  

"So you are one big group together?" she asked again.  And we said yes again.

"How do you meet each other?" she was really curious.  So, we told her we are an Aikido club.

"I saw you walking together as a group, and can't help noticing how happy everybody is.  I am so envious.   I want to be part of it, too!"  she said with glitters in her eyes.

Mike pulled out a business card and handed it to her.  "We are a nonprofit that welcomes everybody.  Come and try a class and see if you like it.  If you do, yeah, you can be part of it, too."  

The woman took the business card and walked away happily.  I really hope she would come and give it a try.

When you run a dojo and that the first things others notice about your group is how happy you are together, it makes all the effort worth it and some more.  This is the proudest achievement I have in my life.

Helping to create and host a warm, joyous community for people to grow together is so meaningful and significant.  As far as a dojo is concerned, this beats churning out only ferocious fighters any day.  

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P.S.  The lady did come to try class and seemed to have fun.  Now it is just a matter of whether she chooses to return and stay . . .