Joseph Campbell said, “You are the Hero of your own story.”
We can become the hero in our own story, in our lives. That might take some work. Just saying. We become our greater-than version by grinding out the greater iterations of ourselves.
Time is undefeated and unforgiving. Yet, I grind out my next greater-than versions. In Aikido, I get what I can do, and what I used to do. That span only grows. Still, I just train.
In the inevitable aging decline, I invent my next greater-than version with Sensei Bobby in Aikido. I don’t defend against the attack. I wait it out. I match up the attack with my attack, awase. Sensei says, “Apply the technique to yourself.” O-Sensei said, “True victory is victory over oneself.” I’m my GOAT (Greatest of All-Time) opponent. I train to overcome me.
Standing as tall as I can, I apply the technique to myself, not looking at the attacker, who doesn’t matter. I end the attack. I reinvent my greater-than version in the moment.
Will that version be the greatest? No. Will that version be good enough? Yes, it’s good enough until I invent my next greater-than version.
As a 37-year-old Sandan (3rd-degree black belt), I was in my physical Aikido peak in terms of technique, strength, and speed. I bench pressed 255 pounds. I took aerobics classes at the YMCA. I didn’t tire. I threw the 250-pound man coming to punch with Iriminage (clothesline throw) using my strength and speed.
Now 58 years old, I throw the 250-pound man without looking at him, using less strength, having less resistance. I apply Iriminage to myself. I overcome me. I reinvent in the moment of the attack.
Mortality revealed itself in my trials and tribulations, in my injuries, in my imperfections. My Aikido days are inevitably numbered. Yet, I love Aikido more than I have in many years. Yes, my body diminishes over time as everyone’s does.
In training with Mizukami Sensei and Sensei Bobby, my mind is stronger. My timing is more precise. I have fun. Now, evolution is less in the broad strokes, more in nuance. I just train.
Enter the attack and die with honor. Albeit, metaphorically. I practice techniques over and over and over again. I do what I love for as long as I can.
I’ll never be the GOAT, but that was never my aspiration. My greater-than version is good enough until my next greater-than iteration. I just train.
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In his 18th NBA season, before the COVID-19 pandemic suspension, 3-time Champion LeBron James played what was, perhaps, his best basketball, yet. He averaged 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists leading his Lakers to the best record in the Western Conference.
LeBron openly challenged 2019 MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo as the 2020 MVP. Lebron’s Lakers beat Giannis’s Bucks 113 – 103 prior to the NBA suspension. 35-year-old LeBron brought his game to 25-year-old Giannis, often matching up one-on-one, scoring 37 points to Giannis’s 32 points.
After the Lakers’ victory over the Bucks, ESPN’s Doris Burke asked LeBron what he thinks about when he takes on players of Giannis’s stature. Lebron said, “I don’t take it personal.” He puts his Lakers in the best position to win. LeBron’s greater-than version is good enough, and then some.
Does LeBron want to be the next NBA GOAT? Perhaps. Sure, he wants to win another NBA Championship. Maybe, 3 more to tie current GOAT Michael Jordan. LeBron might be having the most fun of his career playing with the top 5 Player on the Planet, Anthony Davis. LeBron loves what he does.
With his mentor and dear friend, the late Kobe Bryant, LeBron continually reinvents his next greater-than iteration. No one on Planet Earth works harder than LeBron. Mad love and respect for Lebron and Kobe. I continually work on my next greater-than iteration, too. Nothing but mad love and respect for Mizukami Sensei, who inspires me.
My greater-than version is good enough. So I grind out my next greater iteration. That iteration will be good enough, too. I do what I love for as long as I can. That’s good enough for me, too.
What do you love? What’s your good enough? Just asking.
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