What is the most important thing to you?

"What is the most important thing to you?"

The other day, this was a question from a child in the lower grades of elementary school.
It happened during a casual moment while enjoying a chat with friends during recess.

Several lower-grade students were telling me about their future dreams in their own ways.
Once they finished talking, one child threw this question at me!

"Hey, teacher, what is the most important thing to you?"

(Oh... that's a surprisingly deep question...) I started thinking about it quite seriously...

"For me, it's my family! Definitely my family!"
"For me, it's my friends."
"Hmm, there are many things, but maybe money?" "Maybe money and power? (laughs)"

(Oh, oh, oh! So that's how everyone feels, I see. I wonder what it is for me...)
While listening to their quite interesting opinions, I also thought about it seriously.

"Maybe myself!"
"My children are important too, my children or myself... right now... I guess it's myself (laughs)."

At that moment, my mind was thinking,
Family is important, friends are important, loved ones are important, money is important...
They are all important, but what do I feel is the most important among them?...
Ah, it's myself.

I realized once again that I am cherishing myself right now.
It became a time that made me think deeply about a casual question!

There are things that can be seen from this question.

"The most important thing"

That will likely change depending on your age, your circumstances at the time, and what you feel in each moment.

It is merely a single scene, a snapshot of this very moment.
What you feel in this moment is what you are feeling right now, and
that is not everything.

It is simply what you are feeling right now.

If it is "family",
it means you need your family, they are your support, and you feel secure having them.
If it is "friends",
it means you need your friends, they are your support, and you feel secure having them.
If it is "money or power",
it means you need some kind of power or strength, and you feel that power or strength is your support and security.
If it is "yourself",
it means you need yourself, you are your own support, and you feel secure.

That is how I feel about it.

It is like something you would feel anxious about losing,
like something you feel you are lacking or missing,
the part that is important right now, the thing from which you feel you can gain peace and stability.

That is how it appears to me.

A child once gave this reason:
"Because it makes me feel safe."

(That's it! It's something that brings you peace of mind, isn't it!)

Things that aren't the 'most' important are also precious and can bring peace of mind, but
the part you are placing weight on right now, the thing you are attached to, the thing that brings you peace,
the thing you feel is important—that is what it is!

I felt that might be what it means.

While reflecting on the backgrounds of each of the children,
and reflecting on my own background,

I find myself lost in thought, pondering deeply on my own.

"Dependence," "independence," "attachment," "self-esteem," "self-confidence," "anxiety," "peace of mind."

Words come to mind one after another, flying through my head.

A casual question from a child had moved my heart.

It means that I have already attained peace and stability through my family, children, money, and friends!
What is important to me right now is directed toward myself.

Surely, many people would answer this question with family, children, or a partner.
However, the true meaning behind that is different for every individual.

When you think about the feelings a person holds, their life comes into view.

When I feel that way, I sense a very deep meaning and emotion...

I found myself thinking deeply about a casual question from a child (lol)

"What is the most important thing to you?"