We had our East Midlands HQ Inspiration Day on 30th April in Kinoulton Village Hall. The theme was UNITY-ENCOURAGE, EMPOWER AND ENJOY.
It was a day of stress and enjoyment. What I mean is that there were some stress trying to get everything ready and perfect. That was MY stress, anyway.
I was asked to do an arrangement, a floral arrangement for the stage. Well it was to be for our District leaders to work together on this project. So after some thoughts and loads of chanting, I decided to do a fruit and vegetable display. Ok, what a fat and fab idea!! Except that I did not know how to do one, nor have I done it before! With about a week or so to go and chanting about the logistics and practical aspects and value-creaing potential, a decision was made to open the contribution to our South Leicestershire Women Division. The week leading to the day was fraught with challenges. As usual, unexpected things cropped up and threatened our unity and prospects of working together. I had a rough idea of what the display would look like, so I looked it up in the internet. There were some good photos in Pintrest.
The next step was to figure out the materials needed. So I got hold of a rattan tray from the X’mas hamper. The garage was full of ‘rubbish’ like some old stuff from their school projects which my girls refuse to throw away. So I found a wooden rectangular ‘box’.
So I bought some vegetables do try out the idea. That was all the time I had. Then the frantic trips to town to get the necessary materials like skewers, plasticine, fruits, veg, etc. It took 3 trips to get all the materials.
On the day, as expected, a lot of people couldn’t make it so I was solo. Luckily, I asked Sheila and Felicia for help and they were brilliant. What would I do without them!! both of them are from different chapter/districts..
As it was the first time for such a display, I was stressed. Somehow we managed to pull everything together. We had to stop and complete everything as the morning Gongyo was starting. And I couldn’t find the red apples!! So we did not use the red apples. In fact we did not use most the fruits. So the excess were served to the participants.
Here is the artwork:
David Hare named it the Vegetable Pagoda. Vegetables sprouting from the earth – just like Bodhisattvas emerging from the earth.
Ok. So much for the Vegetable Pagoda. The meeting itself was inspiring. The roaring morning gongyo, inspiring experiences and enlightening lecture. The most interesting was Q and A session. There were some interesting questions.
In events we work together for a certain outcome ie, room set up, decoration, Lilac duties and more. However the more important thing is ( although initially not apparent ) we build bonds with our co-workers. Even if we disagree or did not get along initially, but by overcoming and understanding the obstacles, we polish our lives and deepen our understanding of Buddhism. and most importantly our lives. Sheila and I definitely bonded by doing the arrangement together even though it was not planned. Thanks Sheila for your help.
So meetings and activities are opportunities to create value for ourselves and others. Do not let opportunity slip by. Take up responsibilities and see your life change.
At the end of the meeting, the fruits and vegetables were given away to be consumed. The participations nourish their soul in the meeting and the fruits and vegetables nourish their body. No wastage whatsoever.
Sheila and me happy with our work!!
Have you made a vegetable/fruit display before. If you have, please send in your photos.
If you have made some significant improvement in your life by practicing Nicheren Buddhism, do let me know.
Cheers,
