No. 36: 'Companions' and 'Educators' are probably different. —Thoughts I had while watching SKET DANCE
In the past, I thought that 'teaching' was the right thing to do.
Pointing out mistakes,
guiding people in the right direction,
and making it possible for them to do what they couldn't before.
I thought that was 'for the sake of others'.
Of course, I think that is also important.
But recently, while looking back on SKET DANCE, I've started to think a little differently.
The Sket Dan in this work are not teachers. They are a school club.
They don't preach,
they don't guide from above,
and they don't force things on others by saying 'it's for your own good'.
If anything, they are closer to being 'people who walk beside you'.
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For example, there are times when people cannot be moved by logical arguments alone.
'Do your best'
'You should do it more like this'
'That is just being spoiled'
They are probably all not wrong.
But when things are tough, that kind of correctness doesn't sink in.
In fact, it can sometimes make things more painful, as you just think, 'I already know that.'
I think an educator is someone who points out the 'correct direction'.
Of course, that is necessary.
I believe they are an absolutely essential presence in society.
But a companion is a little different.
They don't give the answer right away.
They don't force you along.
Even so, they don't leave you behind.
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Maybe that was what I liked about SKET DANCE.
The Sket Dan doesn't decide someone else's life for them.
Instead of saying 'do this,'
they look at what the other person wants to do.
Sometimes they push you forward,
and sometimes they stop you.
But in the end, it's often the case that the person chooses for themselves.
That might be why so many people feel 'saved' when watching it.
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The world is full of 'education'.
Correctness, know-how, and areas for improvement are flowing in by the mountain.
But, there are surprisingly few 'people who think alongside you'.
It's okay if it doesn't get solved right away.
It's okay if you can't change right away.
Even so, someone who can walk by your side without giving up on you.
Lately, I've been thinking that such people might actually be the ones who help others move forward.
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To be honest, I still don't know the answer right now.
There are times when I'm overwhelmed by my own affairs,
and times when I'm swayed by my emotions.
That's why I'm not noble enough to speak as someone who 'teaches' others.
But, that is precisely why I think this.
There are moments when people are saved not by those who give perfect answers,
but by those who are truly there by their side.
They don't force you forward.
They don't provide immediate answers either.
Even so, just being able to think 'I'm not alone' can sometimes help you look ahead.
Watching SKET DANCE, I think that's probably the part I liked about it.
That is why lately,
rather than someone who can say the 'right thing',
I want to be someone who can properly walk by someone's side.