The trick here is not only to test the edges of the envelope, but also to walk the fine line between endless, galless practice and those alluring goals that appear along the way. At our dojo, we present aikido, first of all, as an endless path. But we also have periodic examinations that are rigorous, challenjing, and sometimes quite dramatic. The exam for first-degree black belt is, in particular, a rite of passage. The candidate faces a three- to six-months-long period leading up to the exam, which becomes not only an intensive cram course in advanced techniques but also a physical and psychological trial by fire. During this ordeal, no personal flaw, no secret idiosyncracy, is likely to remain hidden. If all goes well, the exam itself becomes an expression not of ego but of essence, a climactic and transcendent moment in a long journey. But the journey is what counts. In the words of the ancient Eastern adage: "Before enlightenment chop wood and carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood and carry water." The new black belt is expected to be on the mat the next day, ready to take the first fall.
Mastery: They Keys to Success And Long-Term Fullfilment, George Leonard
And so it is with worklife. With raising a family.
