Every one of us was welcomed into this world with blessings and raised with deep, loving care.

Reflecting on this, when I encounter someone in my daily life whom I find difficult to relate to or hard to like, I remind myself: “This person, too, is someone’s cherished child who has lived until today, deeply loved by somebody.”

Throughout my career as a Japanese language teacher, I have met hundreds—perhaps even over a thousand—students.

I poured all the knowledge I had at the time and an abundance of affection into every single one of them. To ensure they wouldn’t face hardships once they entered society, I was strict with them at times, and shared laughs and jokes at others… In my heart, there was always just one wish: “I genuinely hope this student finds happiness.”

Even now, that feeling remains unchanged. I am always wishing for everyone’s happiness.

That is precisely why I think, “I would hate it if my precious former students were facing unfair or painful times somewhere out there…” And when I view things this way, I realize that even the person in front of me whom I find difficult is someone’s beloved student and a precious existence to somebody.

It’s okay if I can’t bring myself to like them. Just being able to think, “They are someone’s child, too,” brings a gentle touch of kindness and peace into my heart.

This turned out to be a bit of a rambling reflection… However, if one of my grown-up former students happens to find this blog somewhere, sometime, and receives my quiet message—”Your teacher is still wishing for your happiness from the bottom of my heart”—nothing would make me happier.