I found this message on a 7-Habits of Highly Effective People calendar given to me as a holiday gift ... It struck me as aikido-relevant. <p>

"To focus on techniques is like cramming your way through school. You sometimes get by, perhaps even get good grades, but if you don't pay the price day in and day out, you never achieve true mastery of the subjects you study or develop an educated mind." <p>

There remains much study ahead.