Even though many of us would think that 2021 would be a better year. Sadly this isn’t the case anymore since the whole country is on lockdown again. Since it’s Teacher’s day, I guess we are now in another round of celebrating teacher’s day in lockdown. Again!
I would like to think that Teacher’s Day is a day where everyone in the whole world gathers to celebrate and appreciate teachers. But today I would be writing about one of my favourite moments of last year between the dojo and our Sensei. So I figured that I wanted to express a happier memory that happened last year when the whole lockdown situation was much more relaxed (RMCO 2020).
It all started with a project that Sensei Franky always wanted to do when we had settled in the new dojo. To start a little garden.
At the time many of us at the dojo wanted to know the purpose of starting a garden.
I remembered the day. It started on a bright and sunny day at the dojo. Everyone was eager to head to QST Garden after our Mushin-Ryu class. As we gathered at the dojo we were told by our Sensei that we need to pick a plant, specifically a flowering one that we feel “connected” with. I didn’t know a thing or two about plants so I decided to just wing it and go with my gut feeling.
By the time we arrived the shop was in sight. It was filled with the many varieties of plants from dainty ferns, thorny cacti and the last and not least the bountiful choices of blooming flowers. There was a plant for everyone. So for me I decided to pick the first plant that attracted me which is called an African Violet. The name says for itself. The flowers are in a gorgeous purple colour.
By the time everyone else finished picking their lovely flowers it was already late in the evening. Everyone was excited with their new flowers anticipating what’s next in the agenda that sensei had in store for us. As we gathered at the dojo we were asked by Sensei to name our plants with names that were meaningful to us. I picked my flower’s name as Violet since I’ve felt that the flower really reminded me of the character named Violet Evergarden, graceful and elegant as far as I could feel.
As the time draws to the end, Sensei parted with the purpose and wisdom of what we would need to do for the plants. From what I’ve understood from his purpose as he was explaining to us was that to care for the plants is like a mirror, a mirror that reflects how you carry yourself throughout life.
To me I usually see plants as a symbol of life. They have been in this world ever since life was first created. For many generations our ancestors have used plants for a variety of different uses like decorations, medicine etc. But one of the newer lessons that I’ve learned from taking care of one is the appreciation of the time and process of growth itself.
That’s what our sensei wanted us to learn. He wanted us to realise who we really are and teach us some of the valuable lessons of life. Patience, Appreciation and Dedication. So to Sensei Franky and all of the other sensei’s out there we students appreciate and love what you do for all of us. Although we may make mistakes along the way or stray from the path someday we will always come back and say we love you.
As the great Balthazar would say “True love is sacrifice.”
Happy Teachers Day!
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