Things Gained from Sacrifice
The following speech won 1st place in the JHS Prefectural Speech Contest 2012. It was written by Riku Yamada from Kisakata Junior High School.
Things Gained from Sacrifice
In my first year of junior high school, there was an event that made me worry like never before. An event that made me feel isolated from my friends. That year on the 29th of November, I broke my left leg. I was completely unable to use it and all of my movements became limited.
I held my crutches in both arms nervously during winter as I walked through the halls wet from the melted snow. It was frustrating to be overtaken by the people behind me who could walk normally. I couldn't even climb up a single step that was right there in front of me. I couldn't enter the bath without the help of my family. During P.E., I watched everyone having fun while I sat there alone. I must have caused my parents a lot of trouble since I had to be driven countless times to the hospital that was one hour away. I was unable to do many things on my own. The regular lives that everyone went about began to look like a miracle to me. I never thought that one broken leg could cause so much hardship. It was as though I had become a baby.
My friends were there for me during this hard time. They helped carry my things and walked with me between classes. But after many days, I was afraid of what they thought of me. Am I causing them trouble? Am I just a bother to them now? I was so worried that I couldn't talk to my friends like I always had. There was an invisible wall between us.
At home, I became lazy and rude. I left my clothes thrown around the room unfolded. I ate dinner with my elbows on the table. I put my family through a difficult time. But I could not see these things. I was blinded by my fear and pain.
By chance, I read a book about Zen during winter and it eased my worries. Spring came and my leg healed. I decided to go to a Zen temple. I experienced Zen meditation. In our daily lives we are surrounded by many noises from many things. It was such a refreshing feeling to enter a place where there was only silence.
After the meditation was over, the head monk spoke to me. "Zen teaches us to throw away the Self." "To throw away the Self." These words were etched into my mind. Our selfish thinking creates pride and expectations and we only think about getting results. Zen tells us to be in the moment. Focus on a single task and complete it properly. When you start something, see it through to the end. Zen teaches us to focus not on the result, but the path we take to get there. We must cherish the moment.
There are people suffering physically, mentally and emotionally. Many people are worried about the future and many people just don't know what to do. I think Zen can help. I think everyone can use a little Zen in their lives.
I went back to school feeling like a new person. My friend who helped carry my things called out to me. "Does your leg still hurt?" I was no longer afraid of what people thought because I wasn't thinking about myself. I didn't have to be a certain way. In that moment, I could thank my friend and all of my friends for everything they did for me. In that moment, our hearts were connected again.
