
I have been sitting here, for hours and hours, thinking about how I should start writing my "thank you" chapter in my MA Philosophy thesis simply because there are so many things in this life for me to be grateful for.
During my 28 years of living, I have almost never stopped asking the simple question:
"Who am I?"
And then I found a satisfying answer for myself. From Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh, that: “I am me, and at the same time, I am not me.”(*)
Firstly, I was initially the child of my parents. My bloodline, the lines, and the biological features that I inherited from them are still here, existing in many places on my body. I cannot sit here, at this moment, thinking about this thesis and this journey without them. So I want to express my very first gratitude to my parents, for giving me a life, a chance to do what I am doing right now.
Second, as Master Hanh said, "Seeds cannot become trees or flowers without soil, water, sun, and many other factors over time."(*)
I could not be who I am today - without the support and cultivation of others. In other words, I am the embodiment of many things - things that are not me at this moment. I cannot count them all, but within the limits of this "thank you" note, I will try to highlight a few individuals - the "factors" that have made me be now. Which I am very grateful to talk about.
First of all, I would like to thank all my beloved Vietnamese teachers. Since I was a little, ignorant girl, who did not understand anything about this world, living in the poorest province of Vietnam. They began to give me an education, leading me to have a passion for academia, rooting in me the hope that one day I could go far away from my small hometown, and fly beyond my country to discover the different perspectives over the world. Finally, I did that. Even though the path was too far from my childhood imagination. I am grateful to all of them who have dedicated their lives to teaching. In particular, I would like to thank Ms. Phung Hanh - my literature teacher in high school, for always sharing, encouraging and supporting my dream and always believing in her vision for me. Without her, my early learning journey during those high school years would have been a lot lonelier.
Second, thank you to all the lecturers and professors I have met here - this beautiful United Kingdom:
The lovely Dr Jims,
The handsome Dr Luca,
The wonderful classical Greek professor Angie Hobbs,
Those who opened my eyes, opened me up to a whole new academic world. All of them - people who are not of the same culture, origin, background, or language as me. However, they have always supported, respected, and enthusiastically encouraged me to start a new study abroad process. I will cherish not only their knowledge of teaching but every vivid moment as I listen to them, watch them, and learn from them as part of my fondest memories in Sheffield. I never thought I would have the opportunity to experience such a truly inspiring and mind-opening environment when I came to the UK to begin my new academic journey. Here, I found companions in my thirst for expanding knowledge. For the first time, I no longer feel alone in my mind, even in a foreign land, because I have access to and found similar interests in philosophical thoughts. For me, coming to England and going to study master Philosophy, was one of the best decisions I have made in my entire life.
In particular, I would like to thank Dr Minna, who initially gave me my first class and visualization of Feminism and Western philosophy of religions, which was completely strange to me at first.
Minna is also the one who gave me a very detailed comment with a score of 62% on my very first essay. My happiness is not rooted in the grades, it is all about the inspirational and helpful comment she gave me after a few months of struggling, trying to make it through and complete my first English academic writing. I was motivated by her encouragement, which kept me learning more and believing in myself and the path I had chosen. Especially, Minna has agreed to give me the time and effort to guide me on this thesis, which, I'm sure, is not an easy task for her. Thank you, Minna, without you, I certainly would not be able to do what I am doing today.
In addition, I would like to say "thank you" to all the researchers and authors of books who have contributed to philosophy and life, from whom I have read and learned a lot during my life. Without their efforts in pursuing Philosophy and building a knowledge base for posterity, inspiring me to have motivation in researching Philosophical topics, perhaps my thesis would be a zero.
"Plato, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Buddha and countless other extraordinary Philosophers, can you all hear my thanks?"
Third, I would like to thank all my dear friends for always listening to me and sharing many aspects of life. In particular, I would like to thank my special friend of 10 years - Doctor Bui Quang Huy, who has always acted as a relative of mine. Thank you because, during the past 10 years, you not only took care of me, but also cared my family members when I was away from Vietnam. Without you, my life would be "an incomplete dream."
And, there is someone I will never thank enough, Lucas – a person is not only a great scientist, but someone I love and cherish the most.
Thank you for your selfless support over the years. Thank you for believing in me, for 'lighting a fire in the dark'.
Thank you for always understanding and letting me be myself.
Thank you for the "Buddhist Love" you spent for me - a love that I firmly believe I will never be able to get from anyone else in this world.
I know deeply that if one day this world falls apart, I will never fall, as long as I have you by my side.
Ultimately, I would like to dedicate this work to all the factors that have made me who I am today. No, let me correct this statement:
“I did not give it to them, because, indeed, it belonged to them in the first place”.
And now, is just one of the valuable chances I could use to announce to the world those things.
----
(*) See more here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWWWJWzKDeM
Comments