The stars of Deadpool and Wolverine (2024), Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman guest hosted on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. Upon wrapping up his interview with Ryan, Hugh said, “I’m gonna pivot here.”
Hugh acknowledged his best friend Ryan Reynolds as the actor, writer, and producer of Deadpool and Wolverine that gave him the gift of a lifetime in making the movie. Hugh said, “You’re one of one.”
Visibly touched Ryan said, “No. No. You gotta give me 30 seconds. 30 seconds with this guy. A front row seat to Hugh Jackman is the Greatest Gift on Earth! I mean that! Yes. I hug him and become 20% better of a person.”
Watching late night at home, I cried. Ryan’s acknowledgment of Hugh was perhaps the greatest that anyone can bestow upon someone. Indeed having someone, who makes you better of a person is a profound gift.
I’ve had and have people, who make me better. I am forever grateful to them. I work on myself, not on others. That’s all I can do. Still, I would not be the man I am without others, who inspired and made me better.
.
When I was a little boy, when Dad terrified me to my soul, Mom said, “Jonny, slow down.” She was telling to calm my soul, that things have a way of working out. Mom taught me that gentleness and kindness truly define a good man. Mom made me feel safe and made me a better person.
Although Mom passed away in 2019, I really don’t miss her, because she raised me not to. She’s always inside me. Whenever, I get afraid, I hear her voice, “Jonny, slow down.” I take a breath. I’m okay.
The late Mizukami Sensei taught me Aikido for over 25 years. He taught both Ishibashi Sensei and me Aikido, character, what it is to be a good man, and to be of service to others. Mizukami Sensei said, “Just train.” I’m Godan (5th degree black belt) because of Mizukami Sensei and Ishibashi Sensei.
In Aikido, Mizukami Sensei said, “Wait it out. Enter the attack. Take a glancing blow if you have to. You’re not always going to get away scot-free. It’s one time.” Whether the 250-pound man punches to my face or life strike full force, I take a glancing blow for what’s meaningful to me.
Years ago, I was training with 12-year-old Lukas on iriminage (clothesline technique to the attacker’s head). Mizukami Sensei watched us. He told Lukas, “Show me.” Lukas threw me solidly to the mat with iriminage.
Sensei smiled, “You’re a better teacher than me.” Lukas and I both looked at each other. I said, “I don’t think so.” Sensei walked over to help other students.
No, I was not better than Mizukami Sensei. He was my GOAT (Greatest of All-Time). If I was better, if I was nearly as good as Sensei, that was because of him, who he was, his belief in me. Who I am is because of him.
Now Ishibashi Sensei is my Sensei, my Big Brother. Sensei said, “The safest place to be is under the attack, in the danger.” He said, “The purpose of Aikido is to release your fear.”
In Aikido practice, I get under the attack, in the danger. I hold my position. I make my timing. I open up. I let go my fear inside that I’m not good enough. I apply the Aikido technique to myself, not to the attacker. O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba said, “True victory is victory over oneself.” It’s me against me. The attacker is my reflection, the reflection of my fear inside me.
Although my fear inside that I’m not good enough never completely disappears, every time I enter the attack, enter what I fear, I let go more of my fear inside me. I become a better person. In that way, Ishibashi Sensei makes me a better person.
Like the late Mizukami Sensei, Ishibashi Sensei and I love Aikido. We just train. It’s not like we have to get somewhere. I always have something to work on, always can be better, always become a better person. That’s what, Ishibashi Sensei taught me.
After every Aikido practice, I hug Sensei. I’m at least 20% better of a person every time I’m with him. Maybe after every couple weeks, I’m twice as better of a person than when I started. That’s just math. Who knows? I’m so grateful, so grateful for him. I try to do the same for Sensei, help him become a better person, too. That’s just how it works. Nothing, but mad love and respect for each other.
There are all kinds of people in the world. Some great. Some not so much. I’m fortunate to have those, who make me better. I’m grateful for them and let them know that. After all, life is too short and uncertain not to. I just never know. I do my best to help make them better, too. Again, that’s how it works. We bring everyone up with us, and the world is a better place.
–
Photo by Bogomil Mihaylov on Unsplash
