To Know the World is to Touch a Human Life — Thoughts and Reflections After Watching 'Earth Stage'

To know the world is to touch a human life — Thoughts and reflections after watching 'Earth Stage'

Events in distant countries can feel somewhat unreal when viewed only through the news.

However,
when told as the story of a single life,
that event suddenly resonates deep within the heart.

Yesterday, I watched 'Earth Stage,' and my heart was deeply moved.

Dr. Norihiko Kuwayama has spent many years visiting conflict and disaster zones around the world to provide medical support, sharing the lives of those living there through songs, music, visuals, and words while playing the guitar and violin.
I am simply humbled by his dedication to continuing medical work in such dangerous regions.

And furthermore, not just as a medical professional, but as a human being,
I felt deep respect and emotion, and my heart was stirred, by the way he has consistently stood by the lives of those before him and by his efforts to share the stories of people living with such determination.

What was projected there was not the 'events' of the news, but
the lives of people truly living there, and
beautiful everyday scenes like sunflower fields and sunsets.

The feeling of caring for family.
The wish to protect one's daily life.
The joy found in small happiness.

These are things that are no different from our own, regardless of country or culture.

This time, I was particularly struck by the life of Mohammed Mansour, a journalist who stood by the people living in Gaza.
His life was changed by his encounter with Dr. Kuwayama.

And Dr. Kuwayama himself, who stood by him for 17 years,
was also influenced by his uncle.
I feel that people's ways of thinking change when they touch the lives of others, and that sentiment connects to the next person.

Here is yesterday's article.
I wrote about the life of the young journalist who lost his life in Gaza.

Even now, there are many people in the world living in situations we cannot even imagine.

Those people are also
someone's precious family,
someone's friend,
and a human being with dreams.

Knowing the facts,
I realized, is not just knowing 'information,'
but touching a human life.

Perhaps people can change their actions by knowing the facts, realizing, and thinking.
And I believe those actions can even change lives.

To know the world.
It is also to touch someone's life.

That encounter might be the catalyst for us to quietly re-examine our own way of living.

Even in events in a distant world, there is truly a life for each and every person there.
It was a time that made me feel once again that I want to keep that in mind.

And at the same time, I was made aware that the daily life we spend so casually is by no means something to be taken for granted.
I think being able to live normally is a miracle that happens every day.
I wanted to live each day to the fullest while being grateful for that miracle.

When you know the world,
the way you see the world right at your feet also changes.

In this town too,
there are people acting quietly out of concern for others.

For the sake of someone else,
there are people gently offering kindness.

When we touch a human life,
we can become a little kinder.

'Earth Stage'
quietly taught me such important things as well.

For those who are interested,
I hope you will take a look at the BS Special
'Gaza: The Death of a Journalist'.
Also, the book

'Do You Know Gaza?'
is being published to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the passing of the reporter who tried to convey the truth of Gaza, Mohammed Mansour.
It is said to be composed of photographs taken by Mohammed Mansour and Dr. Kuwayama.
It is a book where you can learn the story of a young journalist's life and the person who continued to watch over him.
I hope you will pick it up.
By knowing one person's life,
the way you see the world might change a little.
I hope it reaches as many people as possible.

#EarthStage
#Gaza
#ThinkingAboutWar
#KnowingTheWorld
#Documentary
#WayOfLife
#Essay