Sensei

I always used to think that the old stories were metaphors for student/teacher relationships. Movies like Star Wars romanticized the idea of the ambitious student abandoning his wise, small, green teacher in order to gain power from the Dark Side. I always thought it was just a metaphor, but it is surprising how closely that metaphor materializes in real life.

Although I can understand why someone would leave their teacher if they felt that their teacher was no longer someone they could respect-but the alternative should at least be better, right?

On the other hand, teachers should never be the people holding their students back from growing and expanding. In fact, it should be the opposite: teachers should be the ones to see the potential in their students and nurture that talent. Teachers should be the ones to encourage the student or sometimes reprimand him; whatever is necessary to ensure his continued development. Great teachers can see what their students could be, not simply what they are.

And a student, having found the right teacher, has to be willing to put away his own thoughts and ideas and listen to his teacher's instructions. In order to learn anything, we have to be open receptacles.

It is difficult to resist the path of glory and accolades. It is difficult to believe in what you are doing, especially if very few people believe in what you do.

I submit to you that if a man has not discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live.
-Martin Luther King