The target is no longer a goal or an opponent; the target is a true reflection of the archer. The archer aims to purify his thoughts and his actions, ...nowing that pure shooting will flow from a pure mind and body. Now, there is no distance between man and target, man and man, and man and the universe—all are in perfect harmony. [Hideharu Onuma, Kyydo: The Essence and Practice of Japanese Archery (1993)]One of the essential goals of spiritual growth through the martial arts is to forget oneself.. I was thirty at the time and going through a long, drawn out, and contentious divorce. A mother of three, I was fortunate enough also to be involved in a live-in relationship with a man with whom I was deeply in love. I was aware, however, of a developing draw toward women as well now—certain women, actually—and it was a force of such magnetism and curiosity that I felt compelled to explore it. I’m not sure my partner was as excited about my decision as I was, but he seemed willing to accept. Most women are jealous. I’m not entirely immune to either perspective.Not that I’m a chump by any means, but I couldn’t be more strikingly different than her. I’m tall and athletically toned, but with light skin because of my red hair. I’m the introvert of our partnership. I’m the thinker and the doer, whereas she is the social conversationalist and task delegator. We are admittedly and knowingly completely opposite people, and in our presentations, it’s become part of our shtick.What looks. " Good, stand up and I'll do this one with you," said Gary, helping himup."Sure, but where are my lines?" Danny looked around for the big cards."No cards. Just the innocence, vulnerability and anxiousness we talkedabout earlier," said Gary, softly rubbing his back for a moment."Pretend you're on your first date. It's a date with a boy you thinkyou like, yet you're still not sure this is who you are but you go outwith him anyway." Uumm sure?" sighed Danny, realizing they were much closer now as.