This video took away from my head that heavy downpour and stormy wind. It’s just beautiful. I should not say so. because it took 12 people’s lives and 55 people are still missing. I usually forget that we are mere human kind that the nature could kill us anytime, it could destroy everything you have. Every time we face a natural calamity, we remind it again and again. I could take it this way that human being so stupid that they could rise again and again, rebuild towns again and again. I can’t help but hope people who lost something because of Talas, that great earthquake, tsunami, and nuke trouble could have their lives back as soon as possible.
It’s been controversial, only in my head, but how do you think about to take your children to the disaster area to let them learn “what is helping others” or “What is charity” ? Maybe, kids could learn much about like “how they have been enjoying happy, rich comfortable life” . You could let them find their way to serve others. and its very important and great. But if I were a victim, I don’t want to be an educational material. A teacher said on TV this morning that Tohoku is the best educational spot now for every kids. So, I’ve been thinking about it.
Naoko,Hi,
If the lesson is to jump in and help the victims with compassion and love, to let our children, and even ourselves see how fragile we all are and how to help others, then, as the victim I wouldn’t mind being the lesson. Also, as the victim, being the object of this lesson I would learn of the compassion and love man can demonstrate for his fellow man.
Will
um, compassion and love. I also wouldn’t mind being the lesson, if they show real compassion and love. It’s from instinctive motivation, right? I should think things clear and simple, maybe. I sometimes hesitate helping others if its motivation comes from compassion, because when thinking why I want to help them, I suspect myself I might think myself is at the better place. But doing nothing is worse! Thank you, Will.
Naoko,
I do know what you mean. It is probably a cynical viewpoint, but I agree with you that it seems somehow selfish or condescending to use the victims as your own personal “ethics lesson.” It trivializes their experience. For me, it smacks of voyeurism. But, if it is done with true goodwill, then I guess it can’t be a bad thing. Or at least if it resulted in actual help being given to the victims, then the motivation might not matter.
Thanks for your comment!
I will help people in trouble just in front of me, or I will let my kids go to help if them want it spontaneously. But still unconfortable that parents or teachers take them as a lesson.
I was kind of a victim of one of the other big earthquake, and at that time people around me were very sorry for me. And they wanted to know how I felt, or acted when it happened. I realized some of them were really voyeuristic and I regreted to talk to them about my experience.
That kind of feeling could hurt the victim’s hart deeply.
So, I rather want to support people who are very professional about caring victims like NGOs or public supporting teams.
“So, I rather want to support people who are very professional about caring victims like NGOs or public supporting teams.”
I totally agree!
Naoko-san, ogenki desu ka? I haven’t been here for a long time! I just wanted to say that I have a friend in Tokyo who has been going down to the area affected by the tsunami to help out with some of the cleaning that they still need, and from what he’s told me, I feel like it’s really us as adults that can learn from such an incident. Children may not really understand what is happening, but it is from looking at adults as their examples, and our reaction and involvement in such events that helps shape the way they look at the world. What do you think?
I hope you and your family are doing well!
Thank you so much to come back again, and leave me such an impressive comment!
“our reaction and involvement in such events that helps shape the way they look at the world.” You’re right! We don’t need to teach them how to help people but show our reaction as they are. Makes me re-think my reaction and involvement to the society…
Honestly, every day I go to the office, come back and do house chores. That’s all! I barely do anything related to do with my neighbor’s community. My kids have little opportunity even to talk with the senior people except for their own grandparents. Children in my kids age don’t have examples to learn. I think I should show my kids my reaction to others more. They will start mimic me and then understand to communicate or help others eventually.
Thank you very much. You, Will, and Heather gave me a good parenting tip!