The Garden of Life: A journey reflected by Fujii Kaze’s song
Accepting the transient nature of love, relationships, and the existence of life.
As I write this in a bustling city park, surrounded by the sounds of people going about their daily activities, I am reminded that 2023 is drawing to a close. Despite the noise, I find solace in the music of Fujii Kaze’s ‘Garden’, a song that celebrates the beauty of life’s seasons.
Upon first hearing it, this song deeply resonated with me. Its message is particularly poignant in an era where individuals often experience feelings of depression, vulnerability, and isolation. Where we learn how to accept ourselves and our circumstances. The nostalgic and gently enveloping rhythm takes you to the connection of the repetitive nature of relationships. It advises you on the importance of cherishing precious moments and how to be slow in living it, no need to rush, and following the ups and downs of life.
Garden of Life
The word “Garden” itself is something to be depicted as what you want to protect as a part of your life — love, friendship, beautiful moments, et cetera — rather than your pride and ego. Human life involves experiencing loss, encountering various situations, and parting ways while discovering the meaning of life on their journey. It is a realization that selfishness cannot be discarded and that life will eventually come to an end. Trying to protect what you want to value rather than being subservient or condescending to others is the right thing to do.
The first sentence of the lyrics describes a human as a bird flying in a garden. The person can choose the type of flower they want to plant, take care of it, show it affection, and protect it.
The lyrics suggest that the person has free will as long as they are patient and happy. I’m fascinated by how Fujii Kaze writes the lyrics and narratively tells you with the imagery of flowers in your garden. Seeing the beauty of the garden is like starting a new life and harvesting flowers as well as arranging and choosing the path of life.
But realistically, flowers are blooming at the beginning and withering at the end of the season, highlighting again the various encounters and partings we may confront. As the chorus part where it says,
I aim to interpret the seasonal change in the song. Spring portrays us as individuals who come to experience life, meet others, and learn how to feel alive.
In the summer, we’re trying to protect and cherish the moments we make, pursuing temporary happiness and holding it for a longer time.
In the autumn, we realized the relationship didn’t last long, hoping new encounters would come, even though we wanted to hold them with lingering feelings.
In the winter, we feel like we don’t deserve it, but we’re trying to accept the loss and sorrow we felt and in the end, accept the process we made.
When a person is born, they are aware that they will experience a range of emotions throughout their lives, both positive and negative, including love, tears, joy, and sorrow. They will inevitably face hardships and difficulties, and encounter new people with whom they may naturally drift apart. To move forward, it is important to let go of certain things and dare to live an independent life. Let us turn the page and cherish the moments we have shared.
“My Garden safe until it’s gone away” embarks on the journey of discovering meaningful encounters, emphasizing the growth of the garden and encouragement to protect it until the end of the season. It is enjoyable to imagine oneself as a bird, exploring the nature of life by landing in a garden, coming down from the sky to the ground, and attempting to fly again. Surrendering oneself to the changing seasons and accepting them wholeheartedly requires letting go of the tight grip on the edge of the sky.
How I Learnt It as A Part of My Self-Acceptance
As I write this closing statement, my attention is drawn to the people passing by in front of me. I wonder what their thoughts and feelings are. Although their facial expressions may appear ‘normal’, the human heart can often be different from what it seems. It is intriguing to contemplate.
Returning to the topic, I feel fortunate to have discovered such a beautiful and calming song. I am grateful to Fujii Kaze, a talented musician who composed it sincerely. This is a wonderful song that can be interpreted in various ways depending on the listener.
Speaking of the transient nature of relationships, I believe when meeting someone new, their presence in our universe creates a timeline. Each person is symbolic in their way and when their season is done in our lives, your purpose in life will also change again. One of my closest friends once told me,
“Don’t feel bad for not being good at keeping communication going. People come and go, it’s okay to prioritize yourself first. Just take it easy and don’t stressed out. Sometimes the timing ain’t just right.” -A.
and rather than lingering in grief, accepting the departure is more comforting. Perhaps the processing itself is what you refer to as the ‘adulting’ phase. However, it is simply a part of life.
Four phases in four seasons, wondering what kind of state we will be. When you don’t know what to do when that unfamiliar feeling resurfaces, giving you the signal to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. In a fast-paced society nowadays, taking a moment to pause, smile, and feel alive is a precious gift. I want to live my life with this sense of speed without overdoing it. I aspire to live a happy life with patience, reminding myself to grow beautifully like a flower and bloom when the time comes. I look forward to discovering another ‘Garden of Life’.
