An Influential Person (On Campus)

Lee Akamichi.

I truly enjoyed his class when he taught at Lynbrook and continued working with him at his private studio after he left. I would always look forward to our classes as Ak would always tell me stories of his adolescent years.

I remember a conversation we had where he shared his experience attending this presentation where the speaker told him that in life people are continuously going up or down a mountain. Little did I know, Akamichi’s next few words would become a standard I aspire to live by: “Why can’t we stop at a ledge and admire the view?”In other words, instead of viewing life as a continuous battle of endurance, he emphasized that taking a break and enjoying life at the moment is crucial. It led me to reconsider a psychology course I took in my junior year. I remember reading a chapter that explained how the youth focus on the future while the elderly focus on the present--which is why they tend to have a more pleasant outlook of life. I realized that although thinking for the future is essential, I shouldn’t forget the fact that kicking back to relax is important as there is a unique view to be seen from every step of the mountain.