By Susan L
Each year about this time, I start to think about beginnings. When people think about beginnings, they might think about the start of their day, perhaps the beginning of a story they are reading, maybe the first day of a new year, or starting something new. There are many things we can connect to beginnings.
Each year at the beginning of August, I think about beginnings and all the feelings that are brought up for me at this time of year…anticipation, excitement, nervousness, and maybe even anxiousness.
And the reason why is…I’m a teacher…at an elementary school. And each August, there is a new start, a beginning. I meet with a new group of students who I will spend 180 days with in the classroom. There is always a mix of emotions as I get ready for that first day. I compare it to a long difficult hike on an unfamiliar trail in the middle of a remote forest. I feel excited but anxious because I don’t know what I will encounter. I might see butterflies fluttering, or a field of wildflowers, or towering trees, or I might encounter a bear or be attacked by mosquitos. For me, there is a level of comfort in knowing what to expect. But with a beginning, I can’t know everything. And so I can feel the anticipation, excitement, nervousness, and a bit of anxiety and know that the students (and maybe the parents) are probably feeling the same way and that we will get to know each other and together form our classroom community.
I don’t think I will ever be the person that says “Embrace the Unknown!” It’s something I’m working on. But coming to the Zendo and taking time to sit in this space and meditate is one way I can acknowledge all those feelings and start to embrace the unknown, especially at the beginning of a school year. And so I am grateful and appreciate the opportunity to be here in this community and to share my thoughts today.
Thank you.
Hakone Zendo 