Ichigo ichie / Once a meeting…at this time an opportunity
We live year to year repeating holidays, birthdays, anniversaries. Ichigo ichie resides inside Carpe Diem––seize the day––asking us to take each meeting as “at this time, an opportunity.”
How do you feel when contemplating ichigo ichie––one meeting, one moment in your life that will never happen again? Do you think of each day, each moment as a ‘once-only’ time? Do you realize that whatever you do is a unique opportunity, not a ‘glide through,’ even if you try. Every word you say, every word you hear, everything you do counts, and everything done to you, everything done to others.
And those of us who work with the young, need to remember ichigo ichie. You envision your time with them as each moment. Every experience is a unique treasure that will never be repeated in the same way.
Imagine what doors might open were we to think this way? As a teacher. As a parent. All of us.
