Flower arranging & learning

The power of purposeful.

Ikebana

Dan, this time you've had a break from reality. Flower arranging and learning?

But stick with it. Whilst listening to a program (on gardening), I heard about the origins of the ancient art of flower arranging in Japan, Ikebana. This originated from worshipers leaving flowers on the steps of temples. Nothing out of the ordinary here I hear you cry.

But the input of Shogun Ashikaga was to bring about a change. He decreade that any offering left were not to be left loosley, but "should represent time and thought".

How often do we deal with the rudimentary nature of imparting "knowledge" and miss the key link of generating "understanding" how often do we see a skill or a specification as merely flowers to leave on the steps of the learning? Do we miss out that we have an opportunity to make this a beautiful scene to engender love and passion, curiosity and drive?

Ashikaga became so emboldened by the process of Ikebana that he abdicated to pursue this artform in its fullness. His belief that this could be something more than a profunctional process has given rise to a culture embodied in national psyche.

I would never level that coaches or educators place no thought to their practice. I would though draw out that something that had been seen as prosaic and functional could be drawn into the world of interpreting the majesty and beauty of the natural world into what is now an art form. We have a natural resource in the pupils in front of us or athletes on a track, court or pitch. Can we be more Ashikaga and see the "material" we work with as amazing entities in themselves and draw upon them to help formulate amazing outcomes. Can we celebrate the majesty and work with them instead of purley manipulating them to an outcome.

I know my 2024 is to release my inner Ashikaga and celebrate the wonders that pack my classroom or grace the training field. I am lucky enough to have this "beauty" to work with and for.