Seek Peace Daily (11/17/23)
"Peace begins with a smile."
- Mother Theresa
Last weekend was a commemoration of those who fought and sacrificed their lives in past and perhaps present wars.
Saturday was November 11th and is known as Veteran's Day. It was a beautiful sunny day and I found myself out walking
with my dog and came upon a cemetery full of green grass, pathways, and small flags. It was so inviting to walk around
there and it led to my looking upon the gravestones, the names, and the dates of lives that were tragically shortened.
In this moment of reflection, I realized that in so many parts of the world, people are currently faced with war and conflict, and lives continue to be lost. It left me saddened to remember those who were lost and those who are being lost daily. Where is our humanity headed? Nevertheless I was struck by my own good fortune to not be evacuating my home or fleeing from tyranny.
Dr. Suzuki was inspired to teach music as a result of the devastations of World War II on the children of Japan. Nurturing children to learn how to make beautiful music, to be respectful of each other, and to learn how challenges can be overcome if taken step by step, is a great joy in being a Suzuki teacher. It is not just the music, but it is also "the music." Our work as Suzuki teachers gives us hope.
I was looking at quotes, and one of them said,
"If you are depressed you are living in the past, if you are anxious you are living in the future, if you are at peace, you are living in the present."
--Lao Tzu
To arrive at peace one must work at it, just like any other challenge we face. We must break it down into small steps and repeat them over and over. We can build our own sense of inner peace by believing that it is there and focusing on it. We can share this feeling of peace by sharing a smile with a stranger and saying "hello." We can spread peace by starting with small acts of kindness. Sometimes one can feel overwhelmed and find it hard to be grateful or happy.
But as Dr. Suzuki would say,
"Do not hurry. This is a fundamental rule. If you hurry and collapse or tumble down nothing is achieved. Do not rest in your efforts..."
So as in learning a musical instrument, we must seek peace daily--without hurry, without rest.
I hope you will join us for a special concert of music by our Suzuki School faculty on Saturday, Nov. 18th at 6:30 pm at the Newton Presbyterian Church. This concert can bring us all together in a different way than in our individual lessons and classes--and please stay for the reception that will follow the concert. We hope that by sharing music together, in that moment, we can create a moment that can spread a moment of joy and peace.
- Sachiko
P.S.
On Sunday, December 3rs at 4:45 pm, the Waban Improvement Society will celebrate "Waban Lights" in front of the Waban Library Center with holiday carol singing, hot chocolate and snacks. The singing will be led by our Musicianship faculty Rose Hegele---so come join in on this free neighborhood event!
Sachiko Isihara
Executive Director
Suzuki School of Newton