Takemusu Aiki

I was thinking about Aikido, as I often do and came to this question, why do I practice Aikido? As I said before I have practised for many years and have enjoyed it very much but sometimes I think, am I just going through the motions.
When you practice the same things over and over again with the same people it is easy to get in this frame of mind. And as you ascend the grades maybe you feel that you already know the techniques and don't pay as much attention to them, so you fall into bad habits along the way and your pride (not always a good emotion), stops you from looking at where your Aikido has got too.
How does this relate to the question, well ask yourself! why do I practice Aikido and be honest. You most probably find that the reason was different when you started,to what it is now. I practice because I enjoy/love it, not just because it is a wonderful martial art but it helps me with life. I don't learn aikido to be the best fighter or indestructible, nor do I for praise and wonder of others. I practice aikido because its makes me feel good and at peace, I wish I could keep this feeling always. May be one day but as I am still only learning and feel that I still have some way to go I try to find way to help me, hence the title of this post Takamusu Aiki. The founder Morihei Ueshiba said that it is the manifestation of love where techniques are born by uniting with your opponents in a spirit of harmony creating infinite techniques. It is amazing to see O sensei moving with fluidity and power while in his seventies, smiling while he's practising what he so clearly loved.
I have attached this video which I found on youtube, it is one of three, which I have saved in my favourites. Just follow the link learn aikido favourites video,s and hope you enjoy.