I admit to as much ego as the next person. Normally, it's the people around me that keep me grounded in reality by helping me to remember that I'm just as flawed as anyone else.

Then there's Aikido.  It's been about 15 years since I've practiced regularly and, here in Afghanistan and even in Iraq, I've usually been the most experienced person on the mat.

Which leads me to last week.  The instructor here is leaving and one of the senior students (I don't know his history nor he mine) was leading the stretching, rolls and breakfalls.  He corrected me on my backwards roll, which I know sucks, and I felt a spurt of resentment.  It took me a second to realize that correction isn't bad and it's not personal.  Wrong is wrong, right? So where was the root of my resentment?

My ego.  That darned thing getting in the way again. 

Everyone has something to learn.  Everyone.  I remind myself that, even the verymost beginner has something to teach.  I just have to open my ears and eyes to it.