I was reminded today at my dance class and last night when teaching swordplay about the constant cycle of learning, achievement, plateau, and renewal.

I’ve been practicing swordplay for essentially 20 years now and some topics I’ve taught for nearly 15. The potential for boredom as a learner and as a teacher is high.

I have to use a lot of creativity to keep finding new in the old. My work now is sometimes very granular — what are the tiny details within this movement? How can I explore their nuance in a new way? — and sometimes very expansive — how does it affect my opponent’s perception of my movement when I’m more deeply connected to the ground? Can I influence the learning of my whole class simply through profound demonstration?

I need to use all the creativity I can muster to keep asking new questions of myself. Without questions, there’s no curiosity, without curiosity there’s no new movement, just the same familiar movements and old patterns and a tired disconnection.

Are you still asking yourself questions? Are the questions challenging enough? And do you risk yourself in answering them?