Through the Night Journey: Conversations That Shaped My Path (Part I/II)
Meaningful Conversations with a Child and a Wise Elder
This Friday, I took a bus travelling from the city to my hometown to gather with my family for a special season yesterday. The departure time was 8 PM, and the ETA was 5 AM the following day. Thanks to my friend Aaron, who kindly sent me to the bus station. Two people—a child and an elder—I met during the journey back to my house made this trip truly meaningful.
It was just the right timing. On the bus, I had the chance to interact with a 12-year-old child sitting beside me. Later, after the long bus ride, while waiting for another bus to take me home, I met a wise person in their 50s. Both of these individuals played important roles in helping me uncover my deepest desires and clear the chaotic thoughts in my mind.
A Conversation with a 12-Year-Old Child
The conversation with the child began naturally, and I believe we both gained something valuable from it. I initiated the conversation by asking about his current learning scope, curious to know if programming or technology was part of his studies. To my surprise, he introduced me to terms I hadn’t heard before, like RBT (a term in another language meaning design and technology), Micro:bit, and more.
I also shared about the digital well-being app, not to promote it but as an option he might consider in the future. I wanted to gently introduce the idea of mindfulness in how we use our time—especially balancing time spent on apps like TikTok. I didn’t discourage him from using such platforms because I could see how they positively influenced his thinking in some ways. My goal was simply to plant a seed of awareness.
The Main Topics of Our Conversation
The Scope of Learning
He spoke enthusiastically about his school subjects and his interests. It reminded me of how education evolves so quickly, with children these days exposed to innovative tools and ideas.Relationships
This was the most fascinating part of our conversation. He talked about his relationships with friends, teachers, and even potential romantic feelings. His thoughts brought me back to my own experiences at that age, and I could see myself reflected in his words.His observations about teachers, in particular, resonated with a concept I learned from The Courage to Be Disliked: to help children grow independently, you must first treat them with equal respect. They are very aware of whether a teacher is biased or genuinely cares for them. This insight reminded me of my desire to be the kind of teacher who inspires trust and independence in students.
I shared one of my favourite quotes with him:
While sharing, it also remains a reminder to myself.
The relationships are both the root of suffering and the root of happiness. I hope this can guide him in his decisions and interactions.Language
Our conversation then shifted to language and learning as some words inside the quote shared above were a bit difficult for him to understand. I shared my own journey of learning English, including the critical thinking and reading courses that shaped my understanding. I introduced him to ideas like the roots of words, context clues, and the use of modal verbs.Some of my explanations were challenging for him, so I asked about his current understanding and adapted my approach. It was rewarding to see his curiosity and eagerness to learn, and I was reminded of my own school days and the teachers who inspired me.
My Reflections
By the end of our conversation, we exchanged contact information, and I wished him the best in achieving his dream of becoming a lawyer. I truly believe that every generation will achieve greater things, and he is a testament to that belief.
This experience was a blessing. It gave me a chance to share what I know and to learn from him in return. It also reaffirmed my desire to become a teacher who lights up the world for others. This encounter will remain a life lesson I carry with me, a memory to guide me in my journey.
Part II: A Conversation with a Wise Elder
After reaching my stop and waiting for the next bus, I had another meaningful conversation with an elder working in the technology field. This interaction was equally profound, but I’ll save this part of the story for next week.
Closing Thoughts
Thanks for reading my story. These moments, meeting strangers during a journey, remind me of the beauty of connection and how every interaction has the potential to teach us something. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—it would be wonderful to create another living story with you.