I turn 43 next month, and in many ways am the same person I always was. The desire to to a good job, and the intense curiosity about what strategies are going to lead to more effectiveness. It takes a lot of resourcefulness to navigate the day with joy and feel accomplished. Still at it.

I am rather ambitious about personal development, so here is the message below my work computer for this week.

We've got Beginner Series on Mondays and Fridays this month. It's a beautiful time to start (or restart) your practice. The fundamentals, thoughtful structure and joyful flow, are always relevant. See you at the dojo.

We are pleased to share an Open Call for Submissions, for Spoon Knife 12. Our theme for this volume is Bounce, and our editors are Azzia Walker and Dean Gloster. They also practice aikido together, an art about bouncing into solutions. You can learn more here. autpress.com/2026/07/call...

Call for Submissions: Spoon Knife 12 (Bounce) - Autonomous Press

Call for Submissions: Spoon Knife 12 Open August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027 Theme What is bouncing into your life? Or are you bouncing into the life of another? The theme of Bounce is super open, and spe...

autpress.com

“Think about it: what weakens us is feeling offended by the deeds and misdeeds of our fellow men. Our self-importance requires that we spend most of our lives offended by someone.” ― Carlos Castaneda

We had a wonderful time at the dojo today, promoting a student to yellow belt. As part of the movement and attention practice, we also have a word of the day. Tuesday's class was Intent and today was Focus. See you at the dojo.

We go live with the Spoon Knife 12 (Bounce) call for submissions on Saturday, August 1. In the meantime, you can get to know co-editor Dean Gloster. He has an amazing depth of experience in the areas of comedy, law, aikido, ski racing, and fiction writing. aikiarts.com/dean-gloster...

Dean Gloster Reflects on Seven Years of Aikido Practice • Aiki Arts Center

Dean Gloster is approaching his seven-year anniversary at the Aiki Arts Center dojo. His checkered past includes being a law clerk to two Supreme Court Justices, being a lawyer for several decades, an...

aikiarts.com

I've got two new sponsees and both sought me out, which is a nice reversal of historic pursuer patterns. It's a chance to try out a coaching style of sponsorship, with no reading assignments, just wise conversation on the topic of the steps.

We are pleased to share the fall promotion schedule. If you are able, please mark your calendars and attend. These community events are special for the whole group. September 13: Dean 1st dan September 27: Martha 1st dan October 18: Zoe 1st kyu November 22: Ben and Christine 6th kyu

It feels pretty important to get present in the body and connect to Spirit. I'm going to yoga at 7am every week day (this week at least) as a challenge. www.mygreenyogi.com/mlk-schedule

Thoughtful questions and compliments can change the world. They both lead to people feeling seen and heard, and that means more warmth and play.

It seems like being a little bit troublesome regularly is insurance against being hugely troublesome once in a while. Do a tiny mischief every day.

"The moment that you are currently in is a crossroads, where the past and the future meet. A powerful choice can be made here where you say no to letting yourself get pushed along by the current of the past and instead intentionally pick new ways of being." yungpueblo.substack.com/p/inner-peac...

Inner Peace is a Choice

Your emotional history, deep patterns that have shaped themselves around the pain you carry, will not disappear when you move to a new city, make new friends, or switch jobs.

yungpueblo.substack.com

“Yesterday they called it coincidence today it's synchronicity tomorrow they'll call it skill.” ― Antero Alli

We have three adult aikido students that started this summer, and I am giving more thought to their onboarding and orientation. In August, I am teaching half the adult classes. They will basically become beginner series, with areas of focus appropriate for this level.

Things that fluctuate during the day: energy levels, confidence, access to knowledge. Things that ought to stay stable: loyalty, integrity, commitment to values.

My late father spoke frequently about his impending death, even though he was not really sick until a few days before he passed. It was about transformation for him, and leaning into living more passionately. When we know that life is temporary, we can more fully commit.

I love all 10 versions of you. That's a vibe that we can set at work, at school, anywhere people gather. It keeps us curious about tuning into things as they are. And that warm compassion is what makes us a safe space.

I am prepared for the week, having crafted various agenda and sent research for an external meeting that my team is hosting tomorrow.

When we stay in touch with our relationships and building trust, things have a way of working out. Always put thoughtful and caring communication at the front of the list, and the rest of logistics can align behind it.

I am reclaiming the term "special interest." It takes a slight amount of obsession to get truly good at anything important. As an example: my special interests these days are communication, saving money, and taking care of my teeth.

I've been playing with the idea that there are qualities more important than efficiency. That means I'm purposefully doing things inefficiently, for the fun of it, in a roundabout way.

I've been fascinated by the idea of Medium lately. It first came up when mentoring a young aikido student that tends to bop between extremes (and is super cute about it). In teaching them to regulate the energy and shapes, it's giving good lessons here too.

It's a pretty good week. We got sales at work, three new students joined the dojo, and I got a haircut. This weekend is a friend's BD and a holiday, so there is extra time to relax.

When it comes to sources, it's useful to have options. We can tap into calm, curiosity, grounding, warmth, joy, or whatever seems relevant to the moment. The key is to develop these sources ahead of time, so we have them available, and can adjust as it makes sense.

We're getting ready to host a workshop at Blue Sky Leaders through California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). It's a group of people ready to learn and grow in a superb nature setting. www.1440.org www.ciis.edu/continuing-e...

Immersion Learning in Scotts Valley - 1440 Multiversity

Our 75-acre luxury retreat in the redwoods of Scotts Valley offers cozy accommodations and inspired learning programs for relaxation, renewal and growth.

1440.org

The cultivation of loving kindness (towards ourselves and others) changes the experience of the day. It's about warmth and receptivity to joy.