I spoke with a family today. They clearly love each other, yet their communication felt raw, uncensored, and emotionally charged. Maybe that’s because they’re family—bound by blood. But I couldn’t help thinking: without mutual self-respect, this closeness can so easily lead to hurt. We say whatever we want, wound one another, and eventually drift apart.
Some people try to find comfort by building “new families” elsewhere, but deep down, that can leave a hole in the heart.
Once again, I was reminded of how important it is to know what I value and to live with intention and discipline. Every moment of life is precious.
I also realized how rarely we talk openly about family roles. Of course, every family is unique, but in Japan there’s this shared cultural sense: parents should care for children; children should be given freedom. And then there are so many other unspoken rules.
But those unspoken rules need to be named, questioned, and redefined to fit the actual needs of each family member. Real conversations begin there—not with blame or self-pity, but with mutual curiosity and respect.
How can we start those conversations? What values, discipline, and ethics do we live by—and do we dare to speak them aloud?