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“We are all different, and each of us is good.”
Misuzu Kaneko, “私と小鳥と鈴と” (“Me, the Little Bird, and the Bell,” title translated for this article).
The quotation is translated here from the Japanese text published in the Kaneko Misuzu Memorial Museum director’s column on Nagato City’s website; this is not an official English translation.
Someone else’s strengths can make us suddenly notice everything we think we lack.
They speak confidently. Work quickly. Feel at ease with people they have just met.
Once we begin comparing, our own strengths seem remarkably good at hiding.
On days like that, I want to return to Misuzu Kaneko’s words.
Her poem brings together a little bird, a bell, and the speaker, describing things each can and cannot do.
What follows is my personal reflection on everyday life.
Do not turn someone’s strength into your shortcoming
We hear someone explain something well and immediately think, “I am too slow when I speak.”
But appreciating them and judging ourselves are separate acts.
We can stop at “That was clear.” We can think, “There is something I could learn from that.”
We do not have to lower ourselves every time we praise someone else.
Their strength does not reduce our worth.
Some contributions are quieter
One person offers an idea immediately. Another notices something missing after listening carefully.
One person gets a project moving. Another makes it easier to sustain.
Different situations make different contributions more visible.
When reflecting on your day, ask not only, “Did I stand out?” but also, “What did I help support?”
You checked a detail. Organized someone’s thoughts. Left a note so the next person would not struggle.
Those contributions do not have to disappear because they were quiet.
Being different and choosing to grow can coexist
I do not want to narrow this quotation into “Nothing ever needs to change.”
We can practice a difficult skill or reconsider a troublesome habit.
But we do not have to begin with the belief that our present selves are worthless.
We can change without rejecting ourselves. Respecting differences also does not mean ignoring someone’s needs or accepting harmful behavior.
If someone seems especially impressive today, acknowledge one good thing about them.
Then notice one thing you did, too.
Being different does not automatically mean being deficient. I would like to keep that thought close, like a small note at the corner of a desk.
Quotation and poem source: Nagato City: Kaneko Misuzu Memorial Museum director Setsuo Yazaki’s column, “私と小鳥と鈴と” (Japanese).
