I find that a lot of answers here can be applied to a variety of martial arts.
Blending? Judo, karate, BJJ, etc.
Redirecting force? Judo, karate, BJJ, etc.
Wisdom? Judo, karate, BJJ, etc.
Get to know yourself? Pretty much all good Budo
Combat ready, self-defense, readiness for life? Many martial arts.
Path of least resistance? Judo, BJJ, karate.
So, for the most part, a lot of the answers may have helped define some part of Aikido, those answers also define other martial arts.
The question of what makes it NOT aikido is left unanswered. How is it that these answers given apply only to Aikido to you and not other martial arts?
Lynn's post provided answers to both questions. Kudos to him. He did it in one sentence.
Jennifer agreed with Erick. While I disagree with their translations and approach (something for another thread perhaps), I think they answered both questions.