For those who say they have nothing, let's cheer up

This is a poem by
Misuzu Kaneko, a children's poet from the Taisho era.

I was surprised
when I first read it.

Not only did she
cast her gaze upon the "top," "middle," and "bottom"
of the snow,

but she also showed a delicate kindness,
thinking that the "snow in the middle"
must be lonely
because it can see neither the sky nor the ground.

And, in fact,
when I put myself in the position of the "snow in the middle,"

my own field of vision
becomes pitch black, it gets cold,
and I feel an indescribable
heaviness.

......

While watching the earthquake disaster and the airport accident
on TV,
I found myself thinking of this poem,
"Accumulated Snow."

My father-in-law's family home is on the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture
(it is in a mountainous area, so there was no damage),
and since I have visited Suzu City, which is frequently broadcast,

and the morning market street where the fire occurred,

seeing familiar sights completely transformed,

even while watching TV,
I felt a persistent sense of
unease.

Just at that time,

there were unexpected
accidents and misfortunes involving a colleague's former student
and the parent of a student,
so

during the New Year,
my heart and body felt somehow heavy.

Even so,
we were enjoying a warm meal
with our family.
We were even chatting and laughing.

At times like this,
it is a mysterious part of the human heart, isn't it?

I find myself thinking of those who have met with unreasonable misfortune,

and even though there is nothing I can do,
unconsciously,
there is an inner turmoil asking, "Is it okay to be as I am now?"

It is a faint turmoil.
I remember it,
and then immediately forget it,

but,
before I know it,
it feels as if a heavy imagination
is working on its own.

At times like that,
when I'm reading articles on note,

it's strange,
but as expected,
(though the types vary),
I encounter the fact that everyone is carrying their own worries and conflicts.
I come into contact with that.

It might just be my imagination,
but doesn't that happen to you too?

When I'm teaching literature,
I often tell my students this, too.
When you're feeling sad,
even a clear, blue sky can look sad.

...

Having written this far,
I look back at myself and think, 'Hey now.'

If I lose my energy,
who is going to be happy about that!!

Just because someone else is suffering,
if I end up suffering along with them,
it won't make anyone happy!

That's what I tell myself.

These are also words once spoken to me by a mentor.
It really is true...

I've asked myself this
many times before,
but in the end,
the following is my (current) conclusion.

Keep yourself in a good state.
Fill yourself with energy.

When something is needed,
if you aren't in a good state yourself,
you cannot support anyone else.

Even if you feel impatient,
thinking, 'Is there anything I can do' as soon as possible,
there are things you can do now

and things you cannot do now.
If that is the case,

prepare for 'that moment'
by getting yourself into a good state.

There is no need for any guilt
in being energetic and smiling,
or in laughing with the person next to you!!

Having reached that conclusion,
while writing this article,
I am giving myself energy.

At times like this,
what becomes a pillar for the heart
is 'words'.

There were words that calmed my restless feelings
so that they soaked into the inside of my body,

so please let me share them.

Thanks to these words,
I was finally able to write this article.

These are words spoken by singer Chiharu Matsuyama
on the radio two days after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Today is the opening ceremony.
I intend to stand before the students
full of motivation, spirit, and energy.

Thank you for reading until the end.
I would be happy if this was of any help
to you who read it to the end.