Gratitude for the Casual Everyday: The Ordinary Is Not Actually Ordinary, and We Easily Forget That

This is momomi. I have returned to Japan from Cebu.
While still lingering in the afterglow of my trip, I am currently acclimating back to Japan, feeling the merits of the country while simultaneously re-experiencing the harshness of things like the weather and earthquakes.

What surprises me upon returning to Japan is the cleanliness and the mysterious lack of noise, which are so taken for granted by us. The food, starting with the seafood, is delicious.
The roads, stations, and infrastructure are all organized in a way that feels almost mysterious.

I am sure I will forget again.
That this is not something to be taken for granted.

Being able to go to the restroom without carrying toilet paper, and being able to drink tap water with peace of mind.
Hardly having to worry about being ripped off when taking a taxi.
Hardly ever seeing guns in the city, having no fear of stray dogs, and the fact that the roads are mostly perfectly paved and you can walk straight.

And, that I felt sincere gratitude for all of these things.

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I don't have a particularly high level of social interest, but this time, through a friend's connection, I was able to get a little involved in volunteering for the so-called lowest-tier people in the Philippines.
Although it was just a brief touch, it left a very strong impression.

I still can't quite organize it within myself.

A project sent from Japan to reuse school backpacks (randoseru).
When we delivered the sent backpacks to the children living in the cemetery, everyone was so happy to get their hands on one.

There are very modern, wonderful shopping malls (naturally, those malls are very clean and equipped with toilet paper), but slums spread out beneath the local malls.

But even in such an environment, the children are all living strongly and happily. Playing basketball together.
Some girls use whatever they have to attach ribbons and dress up cutely.

It's questionable how much electricity is available, but smartphones are right there.
Being absorbed in watching YouTube is the same as in Japan.

What was impressive was that they didn't seem pitiful; the children's eyes were sparkling when they were looking at the backpacks or the ball in front of them.

I think that no matter who they are, children are the same.

It's just that they happened to be born here.
And that creates a huge difference.

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I can't explain it well, but coming to Cebu, I think I was born on the side that has things.

I have small dissatisfactions every day.
I still haven't decided how I will live from here on, and as always, I can't see my future.
I don't have enough money to FIRE.

But I have family, I have people who are important to me, and I am loved.
I have a house that protects me from the rain and wind.
I have an environment where I can learn things in my native language.
(Regarding this, it is true that the world expands if you can use English)
I can go to school with peace of mind, I have a family, and although I have to suppress myself a little, I don't have to sacrifice myself for my family that much.

I remember being told once, 'When you have nothing to be grateful for, be grateful that you were born in Japan.'

I will surely forget again, tie myself up, feel miserable, and there will come days when I hate everything.
There will still be days when I think, 'I wish I were that person,' or 'Compared to those people, I am on the side that doesn't have things.'

But I have never felt as deeply as I did on this trip that I was born Japanese and am enjoying comfort as if it were natural.
I felt that humans feel happy when they can be grateful for something.

And I want to do something, even if it's just a little, that I can do.
May I be able to take action for the sake of those children's smiles.

Thank you for reading.