前回は今こそ一生の宝となる「考え方」を築くチャンスだという話をしました。

　いろいろな問題を一緒に考えていけるようにしたいと思います。

　まずこの大変な時期をどう考えるか、大きく二つに分かれると思っています。一つ目は「はやくもと通りにならないかなぁ」「何でこんなことになってしまったのだ。まったく困ったものだ」と思う人たち。
もう一つの考え方をする人たちは、今起こっていることを冷静に受けとめ、その上で「今できることは何か」と考え行動に移す人たちです。

　あなたはどちらですか？

　私はコロナウィルスの影響がある程度おさまっても、私たちの生活は以前と同じようにはならないと思っています。コロナウィルスの影響を大きくを受けた私たちはすでに考え方も生活の仕方も違ってきているからです。
　今まで無意識に必要だと思っていたことが必要ないのではと思えたり、新しい生活の仕方を発見したりしているので、今後の世の中は確実に変わっていきます。
　今を無駄にせず考えて行動している人は、新たな価値観の世界に対処できるでしょうが、今をただ、「毎日がストレスだ、早くもと通りにならないかなぁ」と嘆いて過ごしている人は、新しい価値観の世の中についていけなくなるかもしれません。

　今を生かす考え方と言っても、そんなに難しいことを言っているわけではありません。家にいなければいけない状況で、今世界で起きていることに目を向けて、自分を様ざまな立場に置き換えて考えてみたり、今まで時間がなくて出来なかったことを始めてみたりすることで、今までとは違った発見や成長があるのです。

　ニュースを見ているだけでも考えることは沢山ありますね。最近は非常事態宣言をめぐって、もっと強制力（罰則）などを求める声もありますね。
　皆さんはどう考えますか？自粛要請がでても、のんきに遊び回っている若者がテレビで「私はコロナウィルスには感染しないし、家はつまらないし」などと言っているのをみて「やっぱり罰を与えたほうがいい」と思うのでしょうか。

　この問題は学級や学校のルールの問題と似ていますね。学校に持って来ても良い物と好ましくないものの判断をLCAではなるべく家庭が考えましょうと言って、規則は少なくしています。時々ご家庭から学校で規則を決めてくださいと要望がありますが、皆さんはどう考えますか。

　世界の国の中には罰則で外出を禁止にしていますね。でも日本は違う。日本も中国やインドの様子として報道されているように厳しい罰が必要と考えますか？

　この問題に正解はありません。考えてみること、自分の考えを持つことが大切です。自分の考えを英語で世界に発信できたらなお素晴らしいですね。

意見や感想、質問などは

ikikata.blg@lca.ed.jp　（休校期間中限定）

までどうぞ！

See below for the English version.

In my previous entry, I discussed how now is the time to start building up and improving our ways of thinking.

It is my hope that we can continue to share ideas and work together as we face these recent unknown circumstances.

To begin with, in these difficult times, I believe that people are of two trains of thought. The first group often find themselves worrying, thinking things like, “When will life return to the way we knew it? How did the world end up in a situation like this? This is so distressful…” etc. The second group, however, are able to calmly assess the situation and, rather than panic, think, “What can I do to make this better?”

Which group do you fall into?

Personally, as much as I have been able to stay positive during the corona virus pandemic, I still can’t help but feel that it will be very difficult to return to what we considered normal life before it began. Our lives and way of thinking have already been altered significantly in the past two months alone.

Things that we once thought were necessary for daily life have suddenly proven themselves to be unnecessary. We have all been challenged to discover new ways to enjoy the things that we used to enjoy. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to say that the world as we know it is going to go through a radical change moving forward.

Those who can quickly adapt their minds and actions to this change should be able to better deal with a newly emerging world and the set of values it brings. On the other hand, those who find themselves struggling daily with stress, wondering when things will return back to normal will find themselves left behind.

Making the most of the situation we are currently in seems daunting but doesn’t have to be that difficult. Take advantage of the time that you are confined to your homes. Keep informed about what’s happening. Put yourself into the shoes of others around the world. Find time to start projects that you’ve been too busy to start otherwise. There are still many ways to experience personal growth and discover new things about yourself.

Our way of thinking can be easily influenced by watching the news too often.  Many opinions have emerged since the state of emergency was declared, with some even seeking that those breaking quarantine face fines or other legal consequences. How do you feel about this idea? Despite suggestions from the government to say home, it is not unusual to see reports of young people being defiant, thinking that the virus will not affect them. Seeing said reports, it’s only natural that some would find a form of punishment necessary, don’t you think?

Saying that, I can’t help but think of how it resembles problems that occur at school. For example, LCA has suggestions of what should and should not be brought to school, however the final decision ultimately rests with the families. Even then, consequences tend to be rather lenient. Regardless, there are times when situations change and new rules need to be established. Can you see the similarities?

I’m sure you’re aware that other countries around the world are under various forms of lock down, some with legal consequences for those who disobey orders. As previously stated, this is not so in Japan. Where do you stand on the issue? Do you think that the Japanese government should enforce punishments the likes that have been reported in countries such as China or India?

There is obviously no easy answer to that question.  However, it is important to think about these issues, and to have your own opinions. Even better if you are able to collect those thoughts and share them with the world in English!

If you have any questions, thoughts or opinions on this entry please email ikikata.blg@lca.ed.jp (Active only during the school closure.)

Until next time!