A Time for Resolve | Kikuko Ota (Dean, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care)

2012.03.21

There are several milestones in life.

At each of these milestones—graduation, matriculation, and moving up to the next grade—it is very important to renew your resolve for the path you are about to take.

Then, think and act toward what you have resolved to do. Unfortunately, however, things often do not go as planned, but I hope you will not be discouraged easily and will instead think of countermeasures and persevere. When the situation becomes even more chaotic, you may lose sight of yourself and find yourself groping in the dark. It is precisely at such times that I want you to remember what you resolved to do and, with a fresh spirit, find the direction you should take.

Last year, a photograph was unexpectedly sent to me. It showed a friend of mine, who was a teacher and passed away suddenly in her thirties, surrounded by her students. Everyone's smiles conveyed their heartfelt joy on the memorable day of their university graduation. Although more than twenty years have passed since that day, I was able to see my smiling friend again after a long time, and I couldn't help but say to her, "You're still so full of life, just as you were then, never aging." One of the students in the photo is now a successful teacher. I was even more deeply moved to hear that my friend's passionate guidance and attitude live on in that student's heart. I was proud and happy to know that my friend's thoughts and aspirations have been firmly passed down. And it taught me what a teacher should be. I want to live my life in this way, even if just a little.

To all of you, I want you to struggle, think, and act a great deal while you are on your various journeys of self-discovery. I hope you will not hesitate to polish yourselves and find your own path—a path where you can truly come alive.

I want you to find a place where you can be vibrant, form connections with others, cherish them, and enrich yourselves. And I hope you will become the kind of person who, in doing so, enriches the lives of those around you.

(Date of publication: 2012/03/21)