Shine on, cause you too, can shine

If you've heard about Hachiko, the loyal dog may feel touched and some may even shed a tear. For those who doesn't know about it, let me give you a brief intro.

Hachikō (ハチ公, November 10, 1923–March 8, 1935), known in Japanese as chūken Hachikō (忠犬ハチ公, "faithful dog Hachikō" ('hachi' meaning 'eight', a number referring to the dog's birth order in the litter, and 'kō,' meaning prince or duke)), was an Akita dog born on a farm near the city of Ōdate, Akita Prefecture, remembered for his loyalty to his owner, even many years after his owner's death.

In 1924, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo took in Hachikō as a pet. During his owner's life Hachikō saw him out from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered from a cerebral hemorrhage at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting. Hachikō was loyal and every day for the next nine years he waited at Shibuya.

Hachikō was given away after his master's death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. Eventually, Hachikō apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachikō waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he did not see his friend among the commuters at the station.

The permanent fixture at the train station that was Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day. They brought Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.

This continued for nine years with Hachikō appearing precisely when the train was due at the station.

Hachikō died on March 8, 1935. He was found on a street in Shibuya. His heart was infected with filarial worms and 3-4 yakitori sticks were found in his stomach. His stuffed and mounted remains are kept at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.

Moving on, today's story was not about Hachiko but of something similar. It's about how can a deaf play violin and still shine? Remember that you can touch the hearts of many and it is not your limitations or disabilities that causes a disadvantage. But the fact that you pursue to achieve your dreams and wanting to do so will be the driving force.

Lastly, this should be a good motivation for those who doubt their musical ability. It is also something for us to learn when we ask "Why are we different from others?". If you ask this, then you should also remember, "Why do you want/have to be like others?". I am reminded that "Music is a visible thing. Close your eyes... You will see."

Here's something to inspire yourself to be unique and stand out as a special. [Disclaimer: I'm not advertising for them, in case you ask].