Time. We wish it away and yet it passes much too fast. Where does it go?
During the beginning of the year I signed up for an incredible program and one that would eventually change me in to the person that I am now. This program, otherwise known as the Miss. Penticton Program would soon be what dominated the majority of what was to be the thing students and kids look forward to the most, summer. Looking back and thinking of the very beginning I wanted nothing more but summer to come so my life would become less chaotic, what a myth. And ended up wishing away the time. But I learned some invaluable lessons that have influenced me positively.
One of the most amazing experiences throughout this program was initially getting the chance to represent my karate club. They were new to representing somebody and I was new to the program. I had the chance to represent a community of individuals that cared deeply for one another, took care of each other and worked together despite the challenges during our training and in each other’s individual lives.
Now you may be thinking that what and who you represent really should not matter, but it does. You see a little while back my karate teacher otherwise known as Sensei had something dramatic happen in his life that shook his world. His wife, one of the most inspirational people in my life was diagnosed with a terrible illness, Breast Cancer. This terrible illness became the prominent thing that ran these two beautiful people’s lives and ended up having an effect on me. It got me to thinking, here I was wishing away my time in order to get towards the summer when an influential person in my life was struggling for it. I guess you could say I was given much more than a sponsor, I was given a gift to look farther beyond who I was and experience how invaluable another person’s life is.
But this all doesn't really explain what I did and the experiences I had during the summer.
You see, my experiences didn't include scaling a mountain or travelling to another foreign country. My highlight was getting the chance to visit one on one with my Sensei and his wife. Before arriving to visit with the two I was filled with anticipation. I had never seen this beautiful individual at nothing less than her vibrant self and I didn't want to admit to myself that this illness was real and harming someone I loved. But she was as beautiful and vibrant as always despite the obstacles that were presented in her life. I knew before even going there that she would always been somebody I looked up to. Her amazing personality is something that anyone and everyone would want to be around and she has a way of making each individual person feel special. Her positivity throughout everything she had and has been through made her that much more special and remarkable. During that visit we all sat talking about everything and anything and it soon was apparent how quickly time flies when you are surrounded by people that you love.
Before leaving with my spirits lifted something small and beautiful caught my eye. It was a quote posted in their house and it read "If there is light within the soul, there will be beauty in the person. If there is beauty in the person, then there is harmony in the house. If there is harmony in the house, then there is order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world" - Chinese Proverb. This lady was a living example of The Chinese quote.
