KT42bdaychallenge #3
VOL 2. The meaning of kindness
September 2003
Women would usually express their ideal lover as "Someone who loves me the most". Because it simply seems like a (selfish) demand, there were times when I thought "What the hell, stop bullshitting me, what’s with such a comment!". At other times, I’ve also thought that it’s surprisingly honest.
Actually, isn’t it something everyone has thought of before? It’s the same for the men too, just that men don’t say it out loud. It’s hard if it’s not reciprocated, and for us human beings, everyone wants to be loved by the person they like...
After falling in love with someone, you’d think “I want to tell him/her my feelings, but how should I go about doing that?” It all begins from your actions.
Such feelings of appreciation or cherish for the other party might perhaps even lead to kindness. Well, the exact form (of kindness) will depend on each individual. How giving (in terms of love) someone is depends on his personality, and there are also people who are the kind who receive or accept (love), and all these can be established from the start. Even simply based on the type of relationship itself, different kinds of kindness exist don’t they? If you firmly want a mutual relationship, even something strict can turn into kindness.
That’s why I think there’s nobody who’s absolutely truly kind. Because we’re not God. Isn’t it also a bit strange to say “That person is kind isn’t he?” to express someone’s character or personality? Instead, I feel that calling that person a “useful” person is much better.
As for me, I’m an easy-going person. In English, the closest word would be “easy”? I don’t particularly like the word “easy” itself. If one is “easy”, I feel that he would likely be associated with someone who’s without any boundaries. And I think men and women are no different in this instance. However, exclusive to women is the fact that they can give birth to a child, and in that instance, there is an amazing kindness that is intuitive. Men can never feel or experience such a thing, so there is really nothing we can do but to respect women.
So what can men do then? I guess what men can do is to protect that existence. Also, other than that small thing that we can do, I would also like to be able to provide financial support. I mean it’s not like I want to be poor (and hence unable to provide financially).
Okay the next few paragraphs sound like something I've read before. So if anyone knows if someone has already translated or discussed this entry, please let me know! He's talking about doing something for someone "~してあげる” and not really liking that phrase. Coz if you've done something for someone, you shouldn't be saying "I did this for you" something along that line... I remember thinking about this while learning that in class so...I must have read it somewhere?
In any case, I like the part about his respect for women, and trying to classify the role of men/women. It's traditional (but I subscribe to that notion myself so I don't think it's offensive or going against gender equality or the sort) and simple.
Also if anyone finds any part weird, please feel free to help to edit the translation ^^ I'll be ever so grateful.
September 2003
Women would usually express their ideal lover as "Someone who loves me the most". Because it simply seems like a (selfish) demand, there were times when I thought "What the hell, stop bullshitting me, what’s with such a comment!". At other times, I’ve also thought that it’s surprisingly honest.
Actually, isn’t it something everyone has thought of before? It’s the same for the men too, just that men don’t say it out loud. It’s hard if it’s not reciprocated, and for us human beings, everyone wants to be loved by the person they like...
After falling in love with someone, you’d think “I want to tell him/her my feelings, but how should I go about doing that?” It all begins from your actions.
Such feelings of appreciation or cherish for the other party might perhaps even lead to kindness. Well, the exact form (of kindness) will depend on each individual. How giving (in terms of love) someone is depends on his personality, and there are also people who are the kind who receive or accept (love), and all these can be established from the start. Even simply based on the type of relationship itself, different kinds of kindness exist don’t they? If you firmly want a mutual relationship, even something strict can turn into kindness.
That’s why I think there’s nobody who’s absolutely truly kind. Because we’re not God. Isn’t it also a bit strange to say “That person is kind isn’t he?” to express someone’s character or personality? Instead, I feel that calling that person a “useful” person is much better.
As for me, I’m an easy-going person. In English, the closest word would be “easy”? I don’t particularly like the word “easy” itself. If one is “easy”, I feel that he would likely be associated with someone who’s without any boundaries. And I think men and women are no different in this instance. However, exclusive to women is the fact that they can give birth to a child, and in that instance, there is an amazing kindness that is intuitive. Men can never feel or experience such a thing, so there is really nothing we can do but to respect women.
So what can men do then? I guess what men can do is to protect that existence. Also, other than that small thing that we can do, I would also like to be able to provide financial support. I mean it’s not like I want to be poor (and hence unable to provide financially).
Okay the next few paragraphs sound like something I've read before. So if anyone knows if someone has already translated or discussed this entry, please let me know! He's talking about doing something for someone "~してあげる” and not really liking that phrase. Coz if you've done something for someone, you shouldn't be saying "I did this for you" something along that line... I remember thinking about this while learning that in class so...I must have read it somewhere?
In any case, I like the part about his respect for women, and trying to classify the role of men/women. It's traditional (but I subscribe to that notion myself so I don't think it's offensive or going against gender equality or the sort) and simple.
Also if anyone finds any part weird, please feel free to help to edit the translation ^^ I'll be ever so grateful.