The Takeaway Of The Takeaway

"You are a martial art teacher?  😮  You don't look it!"  

I got that from a lot people.  

Do martial art teachers have to LOOK a certain way?  👹?  👿?  💀?  People really have notions about martial arts folks.  

This evening, a young lady accidentally popped into dojo.  I took the opportunity to explain to her what Aikido was, gave her a brief demo and invited her to come try some time.  

She looked hesitant and skeptical.  "Is there any real life benefit from learning this?" she asked.  Although she only said one line, I still could not help hearing something implicit between the lines . . . . 

To my delight, like a choir, our students went, "YES!!!!"

Of course, one expects to learn some nice moves and to become more agile after taking Aikido classes.  However, as my teacher, Cottier Sensei, used to say, the goal is far beyond physical fighting skills.  You learn compassion.  You become a stronger, kinder, more peaceful person.  Hopefully, you never have to fight with anybody . . .

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We were making a video with Takeguchi Sensei at the retirement community where he lives.  An old lady was annoyed that we were recording in an area near where she usually sits to put together jigsaw puzzles.  Noting that there was no signs of us leaving soon, she started putzing around nearby and intentionally making very audible noises.  

When we were done, she approached us in a combative manner, questioned us about the use of the space.

Unbenownst to her, not only did we have permission to do that, we also followed proper procedure to reserve the space.  She, now, came to find out that she was the actual intruder.  

Feeling a little embarassed, but not willing to drop her case, she went on to say how we disrupted her routine and that we prevented many others from using that same space.  

Takeguchi Sensei, Mike Friedl Sensei who was visiting, Mike and me all smiled and apologized.  We thanked the lady for her understanding.  We praised her for her cooperation, making it possible for us to do what we wanted to do.  

The lady was caught offguard.  She came in with the anticipation of a fight, and was ready to take the four of us on.  To her surprise, we all were smiley and nice.  We could not be more agreeable.  Her feisty little flame found no fuel to burn.  She did not know what to do.

"To help herself off the stage," -- as the Chinese saying goes, she started finding ways to explain her actions and that she was not being difficult.  She went on to suggest to us "a better venue" so that we would not be bothered by the noise of passersby and other service traffic in the future . . . 

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At the food court of my favorite Chinese grocer, an empty shopping cart was parked at the end of the line of the dim sum stand.  It was not clear who it belonged to.  I got in line behind it anyways.  People who came later lined up behind me.  

Within minutes, an older couple came back.  The lady turned to me, "Is this your cart or my cart?  Am I supposed to get back to the end of the line now?"  She was not mean about it, but sounded defensive.

I broke out in a big smile, "Honestly, I really don't know.  The cart was already here when I came.  Is that yours?  If so, why don't you keep the spot?  You can go before me."

She was surprised.  

"Really?  You don't mind?"

"No, not at all.  What difference does it make?  Maybe one minute?  In the course of our lives, what does one little minute mean?  I am happy to stay in line with everybody else for this little minute.  Let's not be bothered by trivial things like this."  I looked into her eyes.  Her look softened and she broke into a big smile.

Suddenly, someone started clapping and cheering.  It was the servers behind the counter.  I bet they have witnessed a lot of arguments on this subject before.

The dumpling lady said to me, "You are absolutely right!  You come here to get good food for a good time.  Why bring home a big pout and resentment?  This is the way to go!  I give you a big LIKE!"  😁

The other dim sum ladies also showed me their big 👍 👍👍.

People in line smiled and joined in.  Everybody went 😄👍👍.  

These were the best dim sum I have ever had.