Sensing heart pangs
A Fresh Take
Sometimes, I find solace in tunes of old masters like Bach, especially when students need a moment's peace before a big test. Most of 'em dig it, except Jing. A dedicated 18-year-old from China proficient on the violin. He's lonely and pines for my attention, much more than usual. It's like he sees me as some form of maternal figure. The man's glimpse of melancholy peeks out from under his ever-present white lab coat.
Last week, as the weight of finals bore down, a secret spilled. A phrase I find amusing but Jing, who speaks French as his fourth language, wouldn't understand — the cat was out of the bag. Essentially, Jing yearns to turn his talents into swells of symphony. "But, but, Madame... I can't, it's not profitable, I promised my parents I would make money." I stumbled over the words, alluding to "The Top Five Regrets in Life," a book by Australian nurse Bronnie Ware. Her work took a dramatic turn when she shared the confidences of her dying patients. According to her, the most common lament was never having lived the life they truly wanted[1].
In the sun-drenched comfort of my office, a serene figure departed. No need to elaborate. Ware's patients mourned for spending too much time laboring at the expense of their relationships, for not expressing their feelings, for neglected friendships, and for sacrificing happiness[2].
Regrets, they persist, lingering like stubborn shadows. Even after therapeutic treatments, medications, or strong herbal concoctions, they don't seem to vanish. They insidiously carve deep fissures in our consciousness, leaving us burdened and haunted by missed opportunities.
"Why didn't I say it that time...?" brays my inner conscience. "Why didn't I seize that chance when...?" "Why didn't I ask for forgiveness after...?" It's not the past that inflicts pain, but the echo of what could have been. Restless phantoms of yesteryears fasten us to self-reproach.
I happened to catch Jing as he stopped by to thank me for our talk. With a furrowed brow, he scrutinized his phone calculator, checking his final average. I noticed a note from another teacher poking out of his bag: "Speak to your heart. Your loved ones will believe in you. Embrace the summer with peace."
Also, peep some of our enlightening reads:
- Personal Growth
- [The Top Five Regrets of the Dying][3]
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[1] Regrets of the Dying NOT Directly Connected to Jing, but Themes May Resonate (enrichment data)
[2] Gainsborough, C. (2013, January 25). The top five regrets of the dying. Sun-Herald. Retrieved August 21, 2022, from https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life/the-top-five-regrets-of-the-dying-20120824-298f2.html
[3] Ware, B. (2009). The top five regrets of the dying: A palliative care nurse's reflections on the wisdom of emerging from the shadows. The Kindred Spirit.
- As Jing navigates his own desires and societal expectations, he might find solace in books about personal growth, such as "The Top Five Regrets of the Dying."
- In his quest for self-discovery and career development, Jing could also explore the world of cultural experiences, perhaps attending performances at La Bordee, La Petite Licorne, La Risée, Le Rideau vert, or Premier Acte.
- To foster better relationships and foster personal growth, Jing might find it beneficial to delve into education and self-development resources.
- As Jing grapples with his aspirations and parental pressure, he might find it helpful to remember the importance of fashion-and-beauty and lifestyle choices as a means to express his identity and individuality.
