Nidan Essay by Marshall Reisberg Sunset Cliffs Aikido September 2001
	Aikido is a very important part of my life. I started training at Sunset Cliffs Aikido in April of 1992. I knew early on in my training that I had found something very special that would satisfy my appetite for learning a new martial art, and the benefits I would gain both in and out of the dojo. The biggest impact my training has had for me is understanding what it truly means to blend in all aspects of my life. I feel I have accomplished a great deal in my personal life because of aikido. My training experiences have helped me to believe in myself and accept the challenges that lie ahead with the understanding that there are always limitations to overcome. I have been an entrepreneur at heart for my entire life. I believe the spirit of aikido fuels my personal passion in accepting the challenges and learning to blend with myself and others to be successful. My business philosophy is all about connectivity. For example, as a marketing consultant my work requires me to communicate (connect) with individuals I have never met. Most of my work is done over the phone. It is my responsibility to blend with other people's energy to make a mutually successful outcome. My work experience has shown me, just like aikido has that not all techniques are perfect. I have to recognize when resistance is present and work around it. In another chapter of my life, I have been blessed with becoming a parent. I am having the time of my life, but what an awesome responsibility it is! Just as in aikido, I realize how important it is to share the aiki spirit with my son, Dylan and my wife, Michele. Never before have the principles of aikido been so important to me in dealing with the everyday challenges of having a family. These principles help guide me in raising my son. As a first time parent, I have never been exposed to someone who comes at you with 110% energy all day long. I am reminded to be patient and seek to understand what is happening in his life. It is easy to get tired and off track with the daily grind of being a parent, but if I look at it through my child's eyes, I discover and am reminded of what it truly means to enjoy life. He is teaching me about the art of blending, staying relaxed, reaching out to explore new and simple things we take for granted on a daily basis. It is so very important in today's life to nurture him, and what a wonderful experience it is. As my wife and I continue on that path, it is important for me to recognize how important she is in my life. I am proud of her and of what she has accomplished. I am also thrilled that she found aikido to be beneficial in her pursuit of life. We consider ourselves an aiki family, always striving to find balance and knowledge while continuing our journey. I am truly grateful for the experiences I have had in training at Sunset Cliffs Aikido with Sensei Bernice. I have met some wonderful people along the way, and many true friends have come into my life because of my time spent at the dojo. I feel that I am continuing to grow on many different levels because of aikido.