It's a way of life for me too.
And considering all the wonderful choices I have as an American like for example,,, Tea Party Hater...Ignorant Stooge of Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh...John Wayne Pretender...it's a really good choice LOL
There are so many illusions in the world that folks can cling to in order to give their life meaning Aikido can be one of those (aka the thread on "Japanizing") but hey who said the process of becoming who you are isn't full of delusion?
Good Luck and perhaps we'll run into each other as we travel the same journey.
William Hazen