The Day I Deciphered 'Support' and Learned Anew

I suddenly became curious about the word "support" (oen)
so I looked it up.

"Support" means...

It says.

Also, if I break down
the word one character at a time...

"OuRespond" means

Next...
"EnAid" means

And so,
as you can see, "Ou" and "En"
each have their own meanings.

✔ My own interpretation of
the meaning of "support"

After looking up the dictionary and understanding the meaning,
when I replaced it with "a certain word" in my own mind,
it really resonated with me.

The "certain word" is...

"To respond and support".

In particular, the point of "responding" is
the key point this time.

✔ Responding to the answer
　the other party desires

Support means"to respond and support".

"I will help you"
"I will rescue you"
"I will hold your hand"

Such...
the act of gently taking the hand extended by the other party and
pulling them in the desired direction
"support"is what we call.

That is precisely why,
"what the other party desires"
"what they want a reaction to"
we must understand these points and present
the correct answer.

Understanding the scope of the other party's imagination
regarding "what they desire"
can be said to be a very difficult point.

However,
as long as you cannot show the words or actions the other party desires,
no matter how much you devote yourself to them,
it is nothing more than "meddling".

It is also called unwanted kindness or unnecessary interference, isn't it💦

In the end,
"I did this much for you!
　You repaid my kindness with ingratitude"—as long as you are saying that,
it is far from support
and can be called self-centered thinking.

In the "responding" that is the key this time,
truly,"to the answer the other party desires"responding is
hidden as a preface.

✔ Choosing the right words
and actions

For patients with depression,
"You shouldn't tell them to 'do your best!'"
is a common understanding.

This is because patients with depression
"are already doing their best, so
what more could I possibly do?"
and they feel distressed and hopeless.

Providing the answer the other person wants
is harder than you might think.

However,
the feeling of "wanting to support the other person"
is very important.

When I think "I want to support someone,"
the foundation is
"things I would be happy to have done for me" which I
think about first.

Having positive words thrown my way
or having my actions supported...

Or sometimes, just being there is enough.

Of course, profound words and actions
are highly effective, albeit limited.
(depending on the person)

However, an overly close stance
can add to the seeds of worry
when the other person thinks about reciprocating, so it's something to consider.

Let me return to the topic slightly.

When I think about "wanting to support someone."

The first thing I think about is
"things I would want done for me"

Next,
"things that are simple and won't be a burden on the other person"

These are the two points above.

* * * * *

On January 1, 2024, the '2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake' occurred.

As of January 9, 2024, rescue operations are still being carried out in various regions.

Watching the news that airs day after day, I am overcome with a very painful feeling.

Familiar scenery suddenly collapses.

People I was in contact with can no longer be reached.

Seeing the transformed landscape,
how many people must have grieved
over the fact that time cannot be turned back?

'I want to cheer up those who are grieving.'

There are many people who feel this way and are taking action.

A 'noter' I respect,
'Chainner' has also posted an introductory article.

I truly feel that this is exactly what real support is.

What can I do right now?

I hope that through this article,
it will serve as an opportunity for us to think about it together.

Well then, see you later.
Excuse me.