Changetwomasteressquestjuly2013

Essential Questions & Meaningful Answers * Change Spring 2013

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Essential Questions & Meaningful Answers!

Change Class * Spring 2013 Edited by Tim Murphey, KUIS

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 Essential Questions & Meaningful Answers * Change Spring 2013

Quick Intro*** 29 students asked some essential questions to friends and family (How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?) and using shadowing, rejoinders, nodding, and other effective communication skills, they got some amazing answers. The question stems from research in appreciative inquiry and positive psychology (see references at the end). The results were amazing. I want to read them again! I am very proud of these students and their unique ways of going about changing the world, one playful smile at a time. It has been a super class and wonderful learning experience for me! Kansha Kasha‌Tim

Table of Contents 1. Ai Shimada 2. Rika Yamaguchi 3. Shiho Yorozuya 4. Chihaya Hayashi 5. Tomoko Wakushima 6. Honami Kakinuma 7. Haruna Ohno 8. Emi Kawamura 9. Shota Umeki 10. Akane Katakami 11. Masahiro Terada 12. Hitomi Ogawa 13. Mai Tsukada 14. Ai Furuyama 15. Koruri Odaka 16. Kana Tsuruya 17. Miki Iizuka 18. Yuta Wakana 19. Riho Ogata 20. Akiyo Nose 21. Sayuri Shimizu 22. Nahomi Matsuzawa 23. Yumiko Yoshikawa 24. Hanae Fuse 25. Hikaru Okuda 26. Kana Oiwake 27. Yuriko Fukutomi 28. Yumi Okumura 29. Lina Yamaguchi

Essential Questions & Meaningful Answers * Change Spring 2013

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1. “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” Ask good questions! *** Ai Shimada I asked one of my friends, Kenichi, to help me with this question. We went to the same English language school in Canada. He is twenty-six years old, from a different area in Japan from me, and majors in medicine. Therefore I thought he would have a totally different background from me so I was really interested in asking him this question. I called him and talked about this question for about 20 minutes. I am going to describe his thoughts and tell one story he told me below with my opinions.

“What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?”

He answered immediately, “When I help someone and someone helps me.” I know he likes doing something for people, even tiny things, and this is the reason why he decided to be a doctor. He helped me also lots of times, so I thought that was just like him and I could understand his answer easily. In addition, he told me a story connected with his thoughts.

One day he missed the last train and he met a kind bus driver in Canada.

He doubted his kindness at first, and then asked him, “Why are you so kind to me?” The bus driver answered, “It is karma.” It means the person who has experienced being helped by others will probably help other people. The driver believed his kindnesses and good deeds would come back to him from someone else, like repaying the gratitude someday. Since that day, the word of karma is always in his mind. He can be happy when he helps someone, and imagines the person he did something for helps others, too. He really hopes kindness will spread out all over the world, and told me karma can change the world!

He helped me have a great day because I could know karma. I have made an effort to do something for people since then. I want many people to know karma and do small good things for someone else. If all people living in the world do so, everyone will be happy and able to have a great day!

While we were talking I tried hard to shadow and repeat what he said and ask many details like WHEN, WHY and HOW. Then when all conversation was finished, he said, “You responded a lot while I was talking. It helps me to talk easily. You made a good environment.” And he also thanked me for listening to him and knowing good skills to have a good conversation and to help the others feel comfortable to talk. I was happy to hear him saying this and that he is also happy. We really had good time to talk about this question.

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Essential Questions & Meaningful Answers * Change Spring 2013

2. Friends comfort!

Rika Yamaguchi I asked to my friends Atsumi and Yuka to help me with this case study.

They are a third year students in the English department, and they are my best friends. We know each other since we were freshman in KUIS. I met them for this assignment after 3rd period at Lapaz.

First, I asked them the question, “Why do you smile?” They were really surprised, because I asked that question suddenly. Atsumi answered, “Because there are a lot of funny things.” So I asked her another question, “Can you give me an example of what you feel is funny?” However, she could not answer this question. But she said, “I cannot tell, because I have a lot of things that I feel are funny. I cannot choose one thing. But I think my friends always spend time with me, and I always laugh with them.”

Secondly, I asked them the question “When can you feel that friends are important?” They answered “For example, when I was dumped by my boyfriend, or when I have some problems about love, examinations and studying abroad which I cannot talk to my parents about, because our parents do not know our school situation well.” Then they said a really interesting thing. They said, “We can be happy, even if we do not have a boyfriend, but we cannot be happy, if we do not have friends.” I agreed with their opinion, because I feel the same way when I broke up with my ex-boyfriend. I could smile again because of my friends!

Thirdly, I asked them the last question, “Which is more important about friends, quantity or quality?” They answered, “I think quantity is also important too, because if we have a lot of friends, we can spread our world. But quality is more important than quantity, because if you have 100 friends who do bad or dangerous things, this has no meaning for us. On the other hand, if we have one friend who can respect us, we can grow because of this friend even if only one friend.” I agreed with them. Both are important but quality is more important. I think people who can smile with each other are best friends. So I want to make best friends who can smile with each other as much as possible!

In conclusion, friends are really important to be happy and smile. And if you can smile sincerely with a person, this person is one of your best friends.

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3. Talk, Be Kind and Greet!

Shiho Yorozuya I interviewed my friend, Yuka last Saturday at a café in Minami-Funabashi. She went to a home for the aged to practice caring last week, so she talked about the answer with that experience in mind. When I asked the question, “What do people do to help you have a good day and meaningful life?”, she looked a little bit confused, maybe the question was difficult for her. But after I gave some examples, she could answer easily. She answered, “Communication is really important.”

So I asked, “Why do you think so?” Then she talked about the experience of care training. Before her training started, she was so nervous, because she did not know what to expect. But the staff of the home talked to her in a friendly way, and taught her many things, so she could feel relaxed. Also, she saw a newcomer to that home on the first day. She looked nervous like Yuka, so she talked to the elderly woman. Then the woman looked relaxed, so she realized that simply talking to someone is really important to help them have a good day.

Also, she thinks behavior is important, too. For example, many people helped her while training, so she felt happy and relaxed, and she appreciate their support and ability to interact with her, both staff and the elderly. So she thought the encounter with good people and supporting someone makes a person happy.

And she said if I want to have good friends, coworkers and so on, I should be polite. I agree with this idea. Furthermore, she said “I think that greetings are also important, because they make us happy and we smile. Also if I am said, “Thank you”, I feel happy.” Thus, simple things move us.

Through this interview, Yuka and I could spend meaningful time. We exchanged ideas, and understood each other. And I could nod and respond a little bit like this: Yuka: Actually, before care training started, I was nervous so much.

Me: Oh, were you? Why? Yuka: Because I had never cared for elderly people, so I didn’t know what to do.

Me: Oh I see. But did the worry disappear soon?

Yuka: Yes, because the staff was really kind, and taught many things!

Now I am happy to do this project. I could learn from my friend. I will not forget it. And I want to say “Thank you very much” to Yuka.

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Essential Questions & Meaningful Answers * Change Spring 2013

4. Make Me Laugh!

Chihaya Hayashi I asked my best friend, Iyo, “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” Iyo is in the English department of KUIS. She and I were in the same high school and live in the same city. I asked her because she looks like she always enjoys her life. Therefore, I thought she is the best person to ask this question.

Iyo answered, “friends,” especially friends from her high school and university are important for her. In other words, her friends make her life wonderful. For example, she can afford to be stupid with her friends and laugh out loud. Iyo said laughing is the best moment for her, and her friends have a million ways to make her laugh. She can forget what she does not like to think about, and she can be herself while she spends time with her friends.

In addition, sometimes her friends become good advisors. When Iyo worries about something, her friends always give advice to her. For example, when Iyo had a quarrel with her boyfriend, she talked with her friends. Her friends always listen to her stories cordially and give some advice to solve her problems. Iyo said “I cannot solve my problems without my friends.”

I asked her “How do you repay your friends for their kindness?” Iyo said, “I do the same things in return for my great friends’ kindness.” In other words, she also makes her friends laugh and sometimes becomes an advisor for them.

“I sometimes give gifts to my friends. Sometimes I give chocolates, sometimes I give a letter and sometimes I give pictures to my best friends”, Iyo continued. I was so surprised and asked why she does that. She answered, “I just want to see my best friends’ beautiful, brilliant, and happy smile. I want to repay my friends more than I received from them.” At that moment, I was convinced that she is a wonderful person. I am so happy to have a friend like Iyo. Friends of Iyo make her smile and give her advice when she has trouble.

Therefore, friends are indispensable for her life. She said “Boyfriends may leave someday, but friends are always beside me. They are my lifetime treasure, including you! I always appreciate you guys. Thanks to my friends, I can enjoy every day. I think my life would be boring, boring and boring without them.” I was so happy to hear that. I think we will get on well together forever.

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5. Share Your Smiling Tomoko Wakushima I chose my best friend, Mami, who was in the same high school. We are very good friends and we meet once a month still now. I chose her because she is always smiling and makes friends happy. Actually she and I are almost opposite in character. She is always positive and easily has fun with everything.

She influences me a lot. I have become a more positive and more sociable person than before. I am so proud of our relationship. Moreover, she is also studying English so I think this project is very suitable for her and a good opportunity to talk with her in English.

At first, on July 2st I mailed her suddenly and asked, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” A few minutes later she responded, “I think people’s kindness and talking bring me happiness. Also to communicate with each other is very important” in English. I was so surprised by her answer because it was exactly the same as I think. I wanted to ask more details to her so I suggested her to meet after three days.

Three days later I went to her part time job’s restaurant and we ate dinner together. At first I was embarrassed to ask the question in English.

However, I tried it after we ate dinner. I asked “Why does talking bring you happiness?” She answered, “We can share our story and get new ideas! It is very interesting!” Then, I asked, “Why you are always smiling?” She answered, “Because smiling gives me power and I can be positive. If I smile, many people can be smiling and it makes us relax. I want to see their smiling!” with her great smiling. I was very satisfied with her answer. Also, I noticed when she smiled that I smiled too. It was absolutely a meaningful moment with her! Moreover we always have eye contact and nod while talking. Because of it, I can feel comfortable and want to talk more.

This project was very worth doing and interesting. Actually it was the first time to talk with her in English but we could relax and have fun. I think it is because of her smiling. It makes me happy and brought me a precious moment with her (a micro moment!) Without smiling, it is boring. Smiling has a tendency to spread from person to person. If we smile a lot, we can make the world a better place and have a more meaningful life.

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Essential Questions & Meaningful Answers * Change Spring 2013

6. Spend substantial time with friends and family!

Honami Kakinuma I asked some of my friends ‘How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?’ Most of my friends answered, “spending time with people I love.” They feel their lives are wonderful when they are together with loving friends, boyfriends, family, and other people. Certainly, the best memories of my life are with my friends. The best way to have a great day is to stay with people who you love.

Some of my friends answered, “Having hobbies or having something you can be enthusiastic about.” For example, in my friend’s case, she likes listening to music and going to hear her favorite bands live. She said after she went to live concerts and had a lot of fun. She could realize how wonderful life is!!!!!!!!

Hobbies and enthusiasm are important to color your life.

Still other friends answered that ‘to spend substantial time with someone’. Sometimes I spent time doing nothing. Surely, I would like to spend substantial time with friends rather than wasting time. My friend said, “Even though I thought it was wasting time, if I enjoyed that, it may be not wasting time.

I want the power to change meaningless to meaningful things. I have an example. I like working, so I have two my part time jobs. My life has almost always been filled with part time jobs. I’m so busy, and the part time job is so hard. However I can satisfy myself in my life. I felt it is a substantial life. I thought I don’t want to spend a day doing nothing, but my friend says it is not true. A filled schedule doesn’t by itself make a substantial life. Although I have nothing to do, I can still spend the time effectively, and I can change the way to do things with more fun or interesting things to spend my time every day.

Through all of the answers, I thought that it is the basic things that make us happy. Then I remembered the 5 ways to be happiness: Smile from ear to ear, breathe in deep, sing a melody, look up at the sky, and dare to show your love.

The 5 ways are so important to make own life happier. Therefore I think I’ll stay with friends, family or some other loving people, spend some substantial time, and try to do the 5 ways to happiness often. It makes us happy and we have great days!

Editors Comment: John David Thoreau said, “We are rich in proportion to the number of things we can do without.” For example, if I do not need a fancy car, I am that much richer! Some of us want to be busy and are overly busy. But maybe some free time to do nothing is healthy?

Einstein was critical of American mothers who seemed to organize every minute of their child’s time. He told them that children need time to do nothing and to exercise their own imagination.

When we can entertain ourselves with our own thoughts we are much richer! TM

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7. Take time to talk to the people you love!

Haruna Ohno I asked my younger sister Natsuki to help me with this case study. I interviewed her over the weekend (June 30th) about this question at our house.

We talked about 10 minutes. She is my younger sister, but also one of my best friends. She went to the United States as an exchange student when she was in high school. So she can speak English very well. She studies very hard every day, so she has high score on TOEIC! I’m proud of her! We have the same hobbies and sense of value. She is a freshman in university and studying English and Chinese.

When we started to talk, first, I asked her the question, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” She gave me three main points which people who are around do to help have a great day and a meaningful life, and here are the points: 1) Talk with friends. 2) To have a meal with family and friends. 3) Hang out with friends. She said these things make her life more special and precious.

First, Talking with friends means talking with many kinds of people and it makes her view of the world bigger, it changes and improve her sense of value, and it makes her think deeply about her life. Secondly, to have a meal with her family and friends means to have valuable conversation with people she loves. I asked her, “What do you talk about with your family?” She said she talks about what happened on the day, hobbies, her part time job, university life, and anything with family and friends. She said that makes her feel comfortable and it is best way to get rid of stress. By listening to her problems and feelings, her family and friends help her to live a better life.

Finally, hanging out with friends means spending time with her friends and doing hobbies together makes her feel comfortable. I asked her “What do you do when you hang out with your friends?” She said she goes to shopping, watching movies, talking with her friends, etc. She said spending time with herself is a very important thing to her, however spending her free time with her friends is also important to her. Sometimes they discuss world topics and share their opinions freely. And I also asked, “Do you and your friends talk about troubles or problems that they are having?” She said they sometimes talk about it. When her friends talk about problems or troubles to her, she just listens to her friend’s talk, because she said she thinks it makes her feel better when she talks about her trouble or problem to her friends.

In conclusion, people who are around her make her life better and happier. And I thought that she also makes people’s lives better and happier some way.

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8. The Importance of Thanks!

Emi Kawamura I interviewed one of my best friends, Natsuko, and asked “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” Her answer is “noticing the every day efforts on the part of those around me” and her giving thanks to them makes her more aware of them. She tries to appreciate that she is able to have a meal with her family, take a bath, buy lovely clothes and drink clean water. (I completely forget to be thankful for these things.) She realized that she should be thankful for these things when she traveled through Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

I met her in the “Ways of learning” class that Tim taught when I was a first year student. She was a second year student. She is a year older than me, but she doesn’t care what I say without politeness. We went out to drink with classmates and they gladly came to see my performance in a festival. I respect her because she is really active and positive. She always gives advice to me when I am worried about friendship and so on.

Last year, She traveled to 16 countries; for example, Nepal, Egypt, Bolivia, Turkey, Jamaica and Columbia all by herself. She realized she was happy to live in Japan and she was born as Japanese. Japan is convenient, we turn on a tap and then can drink clean water immediately.

In Columbia they speak Spanish and most don’t understand English.

Natsuko doesn’t speak Spanish; in addition, she couldn’t use English. When she got lost and she wanted to go to a bus stop, she asked a Columbian with big gestures. They always helped her willingly and took her to the bus stop. She thought gestures are really important to tell what she wants, like “I like your shirt.

I like your pants. I like your shoes and socks. I like the way you do your hair. You look just like a bear!” I thought using gestures are easy to show what I want to say from the bottom of my heart. And I don’t hesitate to ask (“Asking may be a moments embarrassment. Not asking is s lifelong regret.” She too remembers these songs!) I also asked the magic question: ”Have you noticed yet what a wonderful person you are?” She answered “Yes” with confidence. She was able to say yes with confidence because she has great experiences with many journeys. The trips helped her be a more wonderful person.

In this case of study, I realized my friends all have their own meaningful life learned through trial and error. Who can make my life complete? It’s me!! I want to have a great day and meaningful life with you:)

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9. The Effect of Follow up Question and Shadowing Shota Umeki I asked one of my best friends, Daiki to help me with this case of study. I met him on Sunday because he is the same age as me but he has already has a job. We knew each other since elementary school. We went to the same junior high school and high school. After graduating from high school, I went to University and he had a job. However I met him twice a week and he always helped me when I had a problem. So, I respect him very much and I asked him “Have you noticed yet, what a wonderful person you are?” I thought this question was a little difficult to answer but he could answer easily.

His answer was very interesting for me. He answered he was not a wonderful person. I could not understand why he answered he was not a wonderful person. So, I asked some follow up questions to understand his answer and talk easier than usual. Moreover, I tried to shadow and listen to him well when he was talking.

I told him, “You are wonderful person because you always help me.” He was laughing when I said this. He thinks it is natural to help other people and helping other people is not difficult. So, he said he was not a wonderful person but he was a normal person. I was laughing and shadowing when he was talking.

I talked to him about 20 minutes at his house. During the conversation, I hoped he talked easier than usual because of my shadowing and listening to him well.

After the conversation, I went home and I sent an email to him and thanked him. I asked him about my shadowing and listening skill. He said he could talk easier than usual because of my shadowing and listening skill.

Moreover, he wanted to talk more because my following-up questions helped us to talk. Talking easier than usual using follow-up questions and shadowing made him happy and I was happy too because he was happy when he talked me.

In conclusion, I learned many things in this case study. First, follow-up questions were very important because following up gave time to know each other better and to talk easier. Second, shadowing and listening well make people happy. I would like to use these skills when I talk to people anywhere and anytime, and use these skills to make other people happier.

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10. Talk a lot, smile a lot Akane Katakami I asked to my friend Sawako to help me with this case study. She has been a friend since high school. We are not at the same university, but we often meet and enjoy talking. I met her on Sunday (June 30th) in Shibuya to eat dinner and this assignment. We talked for about 15 minutes. I asked the question in Japanese and tried to shadow what she said to understand her answer deeply. I tried to make the atmosphere comfortable so she could talk easily.

First, I asked, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” She thought a few minutes and started talking. “Talking about many things and laughing a lot with my friends like now”, she said with a big smile. I was really happy to hear that and embarrassed a little bit. When I heard her answer, I remembered that she always entertained us by interesting and funny stories when we were high school students, and she looked delighted. So I said “You always look so happy when you are talking.” Then she said, ”Yes, I really like making my friends and others smile with my stories. Because people’s smile make me smile and happy, so I like talking with my friends.” Sometimes I was relaxed by her and her smile. I think her answer that talking with her friends makes not only her life great and meaningful, but also my life great and meaningful!

Secondly, she said she liked to be thanked. She works at a Japanese style confectionery (Wagashi). “The main customers of my shop are elder people, so I try not to forget to show kindness and consideration for them. For example, I speak loudly and slowly, help carry their baggage and so on. I think these things may be natural and trivial things for us. However I do these for customers because they really appreciate my kindness and they say thank you with a big smile. Such moments always encourage me to give more kindness and consideration to them, and I become so happy”, she said. These might be “micro moments” of love for her. I want to do as she does.

In conclusion, I found that friends are really important in our life. Our friends and the words of appreciation make us and our life happy. I learned that we have to cherish our friends and have a mind of appreciation from this case study. My friends are my treasures, talking with them is very precious to me and our smiles can change the world. Thank you, Sawako!!

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11. The Magic of Happiness Masahiro Terada When we have trouble, worry about something, or feel bad, we do not want to get up in the morning, and we do not want to do anything in the day. I am sure almost all people have had this experience at least one time. However, I found a chance to change this “bad day” by other people during this case study.

I talked with my best friends named Shinya, Tatsuya, and Shoichi at the same time about the question “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” They are studying English at KUIS, also they are my co-workers at Disneyland. We talked after our job at Starbucks on July 6th. Of cause I bought them a coffee (a bit expensive, Mac Donald’s next time.)

However, I could spend a very good time with them while discussing for an hour.

At first, I asked them the question, but they could not understand. So we discussed “what makes our happiness?” for my extra question. There are a lot of answers, for example, friends, eating, smile, sweets, laughing, Disney, and so on. On the other hand, after that, we talked the opposite “what makes bad day?”

Also there are a lot of answers, sleepy, boring, exam, raining, and so on.

However the most reasonable thing was trouble or worry. Their idea was whatever causes these bad feelings to change deserves our attention. Then one of my friends told us his experience: when he came to Disneyland, he feels happy, because of greetings from cast members with beautiful smiles. Saying “good morning” with a smile is our job, but we noticed; it makes people who came to Disneyland happy. I also thought when my friend said “Good Morning!” with a smile, I felt relaxed, for no reason, just relaxed and when I have trouble, it will be a chance to talk to my friend about my trouble. I noticed I have friends and a bad day changes to a challenging day to solve a problem with a friend.

In conclusion, we discussed the question “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life”, and our answer is; greeting with great smile is important to help people around us. When people worry about something alone, we can say “Good Morning” with a smile and make the people relax. Moreover, it will be chance to talk over the problem and solve it together. “Greeting is the magic of happiness” we learned it through our job; we thought it also can change a bad day into a challenging day to solve the problem together. Finally, I want to say thank you to my three friends for helping me for this case study; I learned a lot from you for a meaningful life.

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12. Acts of kindness make people smile!

Hitomi Ogawa I interviewed my sister, Akari, in my house for 20 minuets. She and I are nice to each other even though we are sisters. And we are also good friends.

She is 19 years old now and a freshman of Nutrition at a Junior College.

Firstly, I asked her, “What do people do to help you have a wonderful day and meaningful life?” She answered that people’s kindness and relaxed atmosphere make her feel happy. An unexpected act of kindness always makes her happy and it also makes her relaxed and enjoy a good atmosphere.

I asked her how about smiles, “Don’t you think they are important for us?” She answered, “Yes, I agree and I understand what you want to say but when people give some acts of kindness to others, they always smile, so I think kindness is more important than smiling.” I was moved by her words. Certainly, in my image, when people do random acts of kindness, they are all smiling. No one is angry. It is natural and no body doubts and feels strange in this situation, people are smiling when we give some kindnesses to others. From my sister’s words, I rethought about how amazing the acts of kindnesses are. We sat in chairs and in front of us, there was a beautiful flower. The flower was blue hydrangea. She pointed at it then she said that this beautiful flower is from our neighbor and our neighbor gave us beautiful flowers for nothing but just to share with us. She continued saying that it really is a beautiful act of kindness, isn’t it? I answered yes, absolutely and actually, I felt really happy about this kindness.

Then I changed the question and I asked her, “For you, what is a wonderful day and meaningful life?” She told me if people who I love are smiling and can feel happy, then if I can feel that, this is wonderful and awesome for me.

Again, I was moved by her words. She wishes for other people’s happiness. In addition, she said that if the people around us are happy, in many cases, they give us many acts of kindnesses. It means I can feel happy too if they are happy.

That’s because we think people’s smiling is important for our lives.

In conclusion, for my sister, Akari, acts of kindnesses are really important. She emphasizes the kindness. She is younger than me but she always teaches me many things. I really enjoyed our conversation because I was moved many times by her words. I want to say thank you Akari.

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13. Laughing With Friends!

Mai Tsukada I asked my friend, Chie to help me with this case study. We went to MPR in July 1st and we talked for 10 minutes. We got to know each other when we were freshman. We eat lunch together every day and she is one of my good friends. I asked her, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?”

She looked surprised and laughed because I asked the question suddenly, but after thinking a few seconds she started to answer. She thinks the people who make her life good are friends, especially her best friends, so I asked a follow-up question, “How many best friends do you have?” She has two best friends and she got to know one of her best friends when they were in elementary school. She can relax and enjoy the moments when she and her best friends talk a lot and share recent conditions.

Then I said to her, “Can you tell me the unforgettable memories with them?” She told me that she has lots of unforgettable memories with them, but she often remembers the school trip memories and an entrance examination for university. These memories are n ot only fun but also hard. However, they always kept smiling because they helped each other and tried to make good conditions at any time. She likes to spend time with best friends and she feels it fun when she talks a lot while laughing. Laughing is important and that is why she can spend meaningful life with them even though she has difficulties.

When she spoke, I shadowed and nodded many times and it made a relaxing atmosphere. I learned shadowing and reacting are very important again because I thought when I did them, she enjoyed speaking English even though she was a little shy at the beginning of the interview. Also, I feel I am fit for listener rather than a speaker, so I always try to react well for speakers. I imitated her behaviors such as moving hands and touching hair in the interview and then she laughed. Interestingly, I was smiling naturally, too when she talked about her best friends with a smile. Both shadowing words and behaviors and reacting make good surroundings and these are effective for speaker and listener. I have not only heard her story about her best friends, but I noticed she is a warm hearted person again and always thinks how important friends are in her life.

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14. Takoyaki party makes us happy!

Ai Furuyama I interviewed one of my friends in KUIS, Honoka. She is my friend since we were freshmen. I interviewed her during lunchtime in one of the classrooms. I suddenly asked her “How do people help you have a great day and meaningful life?”, so she got confused when she heard this question and said it was difficult.

So I gave some examples to help her, for example, I thought that my friends and family helped me to have a good and meaningful day. Then she cried “Takoyaki party!!” with laughing. It is a party to make and eat takoyakis with friends.

Takoyaki is octopus dumplings in English. This party is very common in Japan, especially among university students. Actually we held one last week. So I could understand what she wanted to say. She wanted to say that this party was like our life.

First, friends are necessary, interesting, and fun to hold a takoyaki party.

We can’t have a takoyaki party without any friends because it will be boring. The purpose to have this party is not only making and eating takoyakis, but also enjoying interaction with our friends. She said this applies to our lives. The life without any friends can be boring. And she insisted that friends can make our lives colorful. Each friend has a different personality and different ideas. It is very interesting for her because she can change her mind thanks to her friend’s ideas.

Also friends make her laugh or relax without any reasons. When she felt tired or bored, she can be fine if she meets friends. Friends can help her enjoy her life.

Secondly, we need friends to hold this party because it is hard to cook takoyaki by oneself. She said that this applied to our lives, too. We cannot live without other’s help. Especially friends always help us, and we always help our friends too. She said that we had to recognize this and appreciate that there were people who helped me.

After I interviewed Honoka, I understood friends were important for her and she always took care of her friends. I thought I’d like to take good care of her.

Also I found that we couldn’t help laughing during this interview. We could really enjoy it. I thought she made my life happy and also I made her life happy, too. I hope that I could help Honoka to have a great day and a meaningful life!

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15. Being Altruistic!

Koruri Odaka I’m working at the entrance to Tokyo Disney Sea every weekend and helping many guests to enter the park. We have a lot of opportunities to meet various guests regardless of age or sex there, but it is a short time to wait on them.

One day, a group discussion with my coworkers was held and I participated in it on June 30th. We have such a group discussion once a year and talk about our everyday conduct, operations, hospitalities and so on. At the end of the discussion, question time was provided to us. Then, I asked “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life when you work here?” to my 8 coworkers. They took time and thought about it. A few minutes later each of the coworkers answered the question. It was very interesting because they have had many kinds of experiences and various ways of thinking. I was moved by one of the stories talked by my superior at the time.

A few years ago, my superior Hiromi worked at the entrance ordinarily.

Then, she was suddenly spoken to by a woman with a worried look. “Excuse me, may I ask you a favor?” Hiromi answered “Of course.” The woman said, “The doctor told me that my husband had only few more days to live. He and my son and my daughter wanted to come here a long time ago, so we decided to come here for the last memory with father. We’ll be satisfied with only taking a picture in the park. Can we enter here for a few minutes?” Hiromi was irresolute at first because it seemed dangerous and risky, but the woman’s eyes touched her mind. They entered in the park with many help and took a picture and came out of the park immediately. It only took a few minutes, but it was a precious moment for the family. The woman deeply appreciated Hiromi with smiling and she said, “Thank you very much” many times.

“Many smiles and ‘thanks’ make my life great and meaningful!” Hiromi answered. She thinks that we can’t help smiling when we see someone’s smile.

Smiling brings us much happiness not only while working but also in our private time. Moreover, being useful for people produces a great expression “Thank you”, it also helps us to have a great day and a meaningful life. We can say it in another word, “ALTRUISM”, the placing of others’ well-being before your own.

We can’t live alone in this world. Helping each other and smiling will change this world and make it a happier place every day you dare to do it. And the wonderful thing is, we are helping ourselves become happier by helping others become happier – its contagious! ☺

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16. Let your smiles show the way Kana Tsuruya I asked my father to help me with this case study. The reason was that I think he has had many experiences in his life. I respect him, because he knows a lot. He sometimes helps me with Tim's home fun, so he knows and likes Tim. He helped to do this interview pleasantly. I interviewed him on July 6th at home for about 20 minutes. I took notes of our conversation. He speaks English a little, but he said, “I want to challenge to speak English. If I cannot understand, I will ask you.” I did shadowing and nodding while talking with him. I started to prepare shadowing.

I asked him the question, “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” Then, my father has silent for a moment. I thought he was thinking, because the question is a little difficult for me. He said, “This question is difficult and serious. I think family and friends help me have a great day and a meaningful life. First, I’ll talk about friends. For example, hanging out with friends and talking.” I said “OK, Could you tell me the details?” He said “Especially, when I am sad, I want to talk about my difficult experiences. Therefore, my feeling is better by talking. I not only talk with friends, but like drinking alcohol at Japanese style bar (izakaya). I said “Me too. I agree with you. Did you say family and friends help you? So how does family help you?” He said, “Yes, Family also helps me have a meaningful life. I like to see smiles from my family. When I see their smiles, I am happy. It is the most wonderful thing. So, you make me smile and laugh. My dog’s smile also makes me relax, if I see it, I get rid of stress.”

I said, “Oh, I’m glad. I’m happy to hear that. Thank you for helping my study.” He said, “I enjoyed talking with you.” After this conversation, he said, “Did you do nodding and shadowing? They are good for speakers. If you are not nodding, I know that you do not understand. In addition, if you do shadowing I can speak easily. I think shadowing and nodding are good for communication.”

Through this case study, my father and I could have good communication and build our relationship stronger after a long time. I learned many things from my father. I noticed about friends, family, and my surrounding.

People are important for me. I found that simply smiling makes people happy.

Then, I remember Tim’s smile song, “Smiling brings happiness, Let it show the way” is really true. We are helped by our friends and family. We help each other, and our smiles show the way. ☺

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17. Say “Thank you” and “I am sorry”: Appreciation and Apology Miki Iizuka I asked to my co-worker Shuta, and he is my best friend in my part time job. We first met three years ago. He always helps me when I get in some trouble and he is always on my side so I really rely on him. Therefore, I decided to ask him this question. It was June 30th, and we talked about 10 minutes on the train.

When I asked the question, he considered it a moment, and answered, “to say thank you and I am sorry, I guess.” It means it is important to have a mind that appreciates other people, not only their family and friends but also strangers, for example a clerk of shop or a waitress or waiter in a restaurant. It is a very ordinary thing to say to people who are close to you, but he says the person who can say thank you to a stranger is truly kind and attentive. He said he wants to be such a person. Also, he says that to say I am sorry is essential, it means it is important to admit their mistakes when they make them honest. He thinks it is harder to say a word of apology than gratitude, but many people help the person who can think over what he or she did and who tries not to do the same mistakes again.

If the person learns the importance of reflection and apologizing, he or she comes to know the importance of appreciation also. I interpret that these two things are connected. At last, he said everyone will be able to be happy if all of them have a mind of appreciation and apologize to other people and dare to show them their concern for their well-being. I agreed with his opinion.

When he was talking, I was conscious of showing the attitude that “I am listening to you” for example nodding and shadowing. I usually used nodding and when I felt that he said something important, I used shadowing and repeated his words. I think he thought that I understood his story well by doing those things. Also, it helped me to understand actually. Especially, shadowing is effective. Even if I do not shadow out loud, just repeating in my head helps me understand more. It must help our daily conversation with family and friends. If everyone cares about these skills, speakers can speak very comfortably, and listeners can understand speakers’ stories better. It is clear that these skills help our smooth communication.

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18. Talk a lot and learn a lot!

Yuta Wakana I asked my best friend Jyunichi to help me with this project. We have been friends since we were junior high school students. We have the same part time job and we often spend time together during breaks. We met July 3 and we talked about 15 minutes in my own car.

First, I asked him what do people do to help you have a good day and a meaningful life? He thought for a while and answered, “talking with many people and learning from talking” I asked him more details. He said talking with people is helpful for him and he could learn both good and bad things. People have different ideas and experiences and hearing people’s different ideas and experiences is helpful for me to grow up as a person. He talked about his own experience about the importance of talking. When he had a problem about his girl friend he talked about that problem to his university friends. While talking, his friend said that he too had some troubles about his girl friend and he and his friend is sympathized and talked a lot with each other to resolve those problems.

After that, they discussed the problems and he appreciated his friend much more.

So, in this case he heard people’s ideas and experiences about love and he learned helpful things to clarify the problems in talking. Learning through talking is important for people. It is not that we always have an answer, but by talking about it, the problem becomes clearer and we have hope because we are discussing it with a friend.

Then he said, we can also know and judge people through talking. It means talking shows people’s character and humanity and we can know what kind of a person he or she is through talking. He said we don’t know what kind of a person he or she is if we don’t talk and it’s not good to judge a person from first impression. For example, in university he met a student who seemed shy and uncommunicative and my friend had a bad impression of him. But later when he talked to the student his impression changed because the student talked about similar hobbies and they became friends. He also met a person who seemed interesting, but actually said bad things behind others’ backs. Thus it takes talking to someone for a while before we can know their true heart.

After this talking I realized talking is important and helpful for me. I appreciated my best friend Jyunichi who cooperated with this project. Lastly, I asked him did you enjoy talking with me? He answered yes and that it was interesting for him. This project was good opportunity to rethink about people and life. When I faced difficulty I want to ask myself “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?”

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19. A precious moment Riho Ogata I asked one of my friends, Eriko to help me with this case study. We have been friends since we were high school students. She currently works as a photographer in Sapporo, Hokkaido. For doing this case study, we talked a lot on the Skype. I would like to say thank you for her help.

First, I asked her "How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” After she thought a little about this question, she answered, "The most important thing is having good relationships with people. A good relationship just helps me have a great day and a meaningful life. The people around me are important, especially, family, friends, coworkers and so on. I am always trying to do things to keep good relationships with them. I should make every effort to keep good relations because they are important for me.

Then, I wanted like to know more about her thinking, so I asked some follow-up questions. I asked her, "Why are they important for you, and what do you do to keep good relationships with them concretely?” She answered, "Well, if I am in a trouble, people help me to solve problems. If I am depressed, people advise me how to be happy. Thanks to them, I am not alone. I can share my emotions with them and they cheer me up." She also said, "I try to help people like they help me, and I try to show thanks. Also, having a joyful time together is important. For example, I often ask them to go out with me. I like shopping, eating delicious food, talking a lot and laughing a lot with them. Of course I take many pictures with my camera. I love taking pictures of people smiling!"

By talking with her, I remember that she and I spent a lot of time and laughed a lot together when we were high school students. Actually I was very shy, but she always made me laugh. She is actively making opportunities to communicate with people. I think that it is her effort that makes good relationships with people. As a result, it connects to having a great day and a meaningful life.

Finally I asked her, "What is 'a good relationship' for you?" She said, "For me, a good relationship means sharing experiences and ideas, and understanding each other. Laughing together and spending joyful time are best, but sometimes I have an argument with people. I think it is useful for us because we can try to understand each other better by having an argument. I believe that these make a good relationship."

In conclusion, her many friends show that she is making efforts to keep good relationships with them and she is enjoying her life. Finally, she said, "I think that the trick of having a great day and a meaningful life is same as the trick of taking a good picture." Every moment is a precious moment. Don’t miss it!

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20. Being helped and helping Akiyo Nose I asked my friend who works with me to help this project. Her name is Sachiko. She is learning about making clothes at her university. Her major is not English language so she is not good at English but I really wanted to ask her the question because she is always considerate about her friends and listens to them with her best attention.

At first, I asked her the question “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” She could not answer the question clearly. However, she tried to understand what I wanted to know and to say something for the question as always and she gave me some sentences for the answer. She said ”having fun with her closest friend, getting advice from her friends and family, supporting each other with her friends and sharing values by interacting.”

At that time, I thought she has so many ideas. It is difficult to write about her but Sachiko was enjoying the Interview situation and she was still thinking about answering my question so I decided to continue.

After the first question, I asked her “How did those situations change you?” She was thinking a lot and said “By having fun with my friend I can forget about depressing things, getting advice from friends and family make me a responsible person. I got a license of peer helper for my depressed friend…”

She explained to me about every situation then I realized that all her ideas have “helping” and it is not only that she is helped by her friends, she is also helping her friends. Just being helped by her friends is not enough for her life, she also wants to help her friends as she was helped because the situation to help each other makes her have an equal relationship between her friends. It makes her life meaningful and it is the reason why Sachiko tries to think a lot for her friends!

I asked Sachiko to make sure my idea about her is correct then she gave me a great smile and said, “Yes!! That’s what I wanted to say!”

During this Interview, I kept nodding and repeating her ideas. I think it makes it easy to understand the point of her answers. Moreover, a good attitude for listening also affected Sachiko’s talking. After the Interview she said, “This is fun! I can say what I think easily!” Then I realized how important it is to show my interest to the speaker by my attitude. Sachiko helped me to understand that clearly.

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21. People make people happy Sayuri Shimizu I interviewed my friend, Rocio to help me with this case study. We have known each other since we were freshman. She is quite considerate, positive and full of life. I like her character. She always entertains me and friends so I respect it. I thought if I ask this case study to her, I could get wonderful answers so I chose her. We met at Lapaz on July 1st and we talked about 10 minutes.

I asked the question, “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” She thought a moment and she said, “What does it mean?” She was perplexed because she did not know what to answer. Then I explained about the meaning of this question. She thought about one minute and she answered, “It is my pleasure when somebody needs my help and says that they need me.” I was surprised because I did not expect an answer like this so I wanted to ask more about it. I asked, “Could I have some more details?” Then she answered, “That is kind of the reason why I am living in this place and also I think that that is evidence of my existence…” I accepted deeply. She added the answer, “Just talking to people makes me happy and in addition, some of them make my day!” I could understand her answer. I wanted to ask more but she did not have time that day, so I decided to send an e-mail later.

After I came home, I send e-mail and I asked some questions to her, “Please tell me an episode when you were asked by somebody.” On the next day July 2nd, she told me one story.

One day, her friend called her at midnight because the friend was in trouble. The friend asked some advice to Rocio about her job because that was the kind of thing that she could only talk to Rocio about. After talking, she appreciated having the conversation with Rocio and it made her feel better. Then Rocio also felt better.

Through this case study, I am thinking that people can’t live by themselves. I think most Japanese people have heard that “people support each other.” As you see the word “人”, you may understand how the word was created.

I like this kanji and the meaning. By being relied on by somebody, people can feel their worthiness. And, it is important to be able to count on somebody completely when we have troubles. It comforts us and gives us hope. To be able to give hope through support allows us to bond into important relationships –kizuna!

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22. Positive and Continuous Help Nahomi Matsuzawa I interviewed my best friend, Yukari. I am always honest to her and she always gives me good advice that comes from her heart. First, I asked her what do people do to help you? She asked me to give her time to think. Then she said that every day, dozens of people help her have a better day. If someone smiles at her, even the stranger, sometimes she feels strange but sometimes she’s cheered up by the smile. On this level so many people make our days. Then I asked her, what might be the best attitude to make others happier? She said it depends. But there’s two keys she mentioned.

One is being positive. It is because when we see someone with a positive attitude we feel positive too. I recall the class about mirror neurons.

When we see others doing something, we do the same thing in our mind, that’s how we enjoy watching a movie or reading books. We are thinking ourselves as if we are main character or the favorite character in the story. We can say the same thing with positive attitudes. If someone acts positively, our mirror neurons repeat the same thing and we can be a bit more positive. However, if we see someone sad, we feel sad too. So it’s important to keep being in a positive environment as much as possible.

And also she said, continuing to help people is important. If you want to help your friend, watch your friend, she may be looking for your help. If you are not trying to help her, you miss the sign of her asking for help. I told her that I always feel her warmest attitude. Sometimes, when I am depressed, but do not want to discuss it, then I find she is watching me with a warm attitude. When I need her she is always here for me. I really appreciate her.

As the psychologist, Abraham Harold Maslow said, we have five levels of our desire. First, we need physiological needs and safety and then we want love and belonging next. To feel belonging, we should help somebody in some way. It means if people help you, you help them in return, and make them happier too. So ask for help now.

The interview with Yukari was really interesting and I could learn a lot from her. Even though the main points of her interview were almost the same as the classes, it was really cool. I could confirm this class is efficient, and I have a really nice friend as my best friend.

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23. For a great life Yumiko Yoshikawa

I talked with my mother at home on July 3rd. I asked her “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” She said “sincerity and politeness are the most important to make a great life. We have to appreciate everything around us, and having fun is also important. We cannot spend a great life without them.” I agree with her. When we are kind and sincere to other persons, they are also kind and sincere to us. “What goes around, comes around.” This is a famous phrase. It means everything that you do will return to you invariably. If your behavior was bad, someone will behave badly to you someday, so you should treat others the way you want to be treated.

Recently she got a new job, so I asked her about it. She said, “It was really difficult for me to get a new job because of my age, but I did not want to give up. Actually, I am old, I have 4 grandchildren, but I believed I could still work and I could help other people.” When she was talking, I was shadowing her saying and copying her body language. Her story was wonderful because she is 57 years old and she did not have any job for a long time. I think trying new things gets more difficult as we grow older. We lose interest. Being curious makes our life interesting and colorful, so it was good for her to start new things.

If we lose curiosity, our life gets boring. However it is not easy to start new things.

In this case, my mother had trouble finding a new job because of her age, so I think that it is not easy to start new things because of a lot of things like age, money, problems, the situation around us. These things become barriers for us to start new things. At first, my father did not allow her to get a new job. He thought that my mother would become tired so he did not want her to get it. But now, he helps her, for example washing dishes and cleaning rooms, so I think helping each other is important for us to do new things and to spend a great life.

After this meeting, my mother said, “This was the first time to think about what is the most important to spend a great life deeply, and I could know what a good life I have.” We could know that the most important things are sincerity, politeness, appreciation of other people, curiosity, and helping each other through this project. I enjoyed talking with my mother. It was wonderful time for us.

Editor note: Hugh Downs said, “A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.” This seems to be true most of the time, but perhaps not in extreme circumstances (e.g.: war, poverty, & illness). Still, for most of us, we can strengthen our attitudes to overcome everyday circumstances. TM

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24. Let’s cultivate our own garden!

Hanae Fuse I asked my older sister, Kaori to help me with this case study. She is married and has a daughter and a son. They are only 1 and 2 years old. Before she got married, she was working at a high school as an adjunct English teacher, so I asked this question in English to her. At first, I thought she would not speak English because she doesn’t use English now but when I suggested talking in English, she said “OK. I’ll try!” It was a first time to talk in English so I felt strange and embarrassed a little but I could enjoy our conversation. I interviewed her when I went to her home on June 28. I asked her “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” She thought for a moment and began to speak and gave me two answers.

First, she talked about before her marriage. She answered “My husband listened to my problems before I became a teacher. He helped me to make my dream come true. It was helpful for me to have a great day.” Then I followed-up her answer and asked, “Did he only listen to you?” She said “He gave me advice and made me confident.” I shadowed what she said and was listening to her with nodding. I felt it is wonderful that we can make others’ life better with only listening to others.

Second, she answered, “My children help me a lot to have a great day and meaningful life.” Then I asked, “How do they help you?” She said “Do you know the Japanese saying, “子は鎹”? (It means children are a bond between husband and wife.) As the saying goes, my children connect not only my husband and me but also my family and his family. They are very precious to us, and watching them grow up makes my life meaningful.” As she was talking about this, she was looking at her children with a smile. I did body shadowing and looked at them with a smile.

After a few weeks, I sent an e-mail to her to ask how the interview was.

She said my class project sounds interesting and she could enjoy thinking about it but it was a difficult question to answer.

Through this project, I felt this question’s answer is various. At first, I predicted my sister’s answers would be smiling or listening. However, one of her answers was different and it was new to me. After I learned CANDIDE’s story, I found she is cultivating her garden, that is, her children! She takes care of her children and tries to help them have a better life!

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25. What do people to help you have a great day and a meaningful life? *** Hikaru Okuda I interviewed my friend Josh who is an exchange student from America.

It took about 10 min on July 1st. I thought he would be confused with this sudden question, but he answered really smoothly. He said that to spend time with people who he can feel comfortable with is a way for him to have a great day.

Also he likes to spend time with people who challenge him, because he loves to learn something from them. Sometimes even to strangers or teachers or friends, he likes to introduce his ideas, get their ideas, challenge them, and then get them interested and curious about the ideas, too. He said it feels productive for him and he can feel he is growing with this, so he is different from what he was yesterday. That helps him to have a good day.

Few days later, I asked, “In the last 24 hours have you noticed more people doing these things.” He said he doesn’t think that people have the same ideas to have a good day as he has, but still he thinks people will appreciate these ideas also respect them, too. Next I asked “to what extent do you do each of these things now with other people?” He said he only makes good friends with people who reflect on their life and it’s difficult to have relationships with people who don’t think about themselves and others. Also he said that as I wrote before, he likes to challenge people because he can feel he is challenging himself too with this. He thinks that to think and to decide by himself builds his strong happiness.

For the last question, “To what extent do you want to do them more?” He said he wanted to do these for his friends, family and girlfriend, more importantly for his family and girlfriend. Especially with his parents, it’s quite difficult to give things because they are always giving to their children so it’s really hard to give them something and he has to try hard to do it. Also for his girlfriend, she is really close to him, and she is really good at giving things without expecting things in return. She always tells him as much as she knows and she does everything that she can do for people. He respects that. Also he wants to do that too, because he knows that it will make him and her happy, too.

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26. New small life brings a meaningful life Kana Oiwake I asked my older sister, Miki a question, “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” She is 22 years old, and she and I were in same high school and the musical club about 4 years ago. We sometimes go shopping or to karaoke together, so we’re kind of good friends. Actually, she gave birth recently, and she looks really happy. That’s why I chose her as the person who I asked this question. We were in the living room of our house, and there was nobody around us because it was very late at night. First of all, I told her” I want you to help with my homework!” And she said ”What??” She thought it was strange because she is bad at English. It means I have never asked her about English before. I said ”You just need to answer a question in Japanese is OK.” We talked about 10 minutes. So I asked her “How do people help you have a great day and meaningful life?” She laughed, and said, “I have never thought about it!!” I understood her, because I also had never thought about it until Tim asked me in class. She asked me ”Is this a serious question?” I said, “Yes! Be honest!” Then she started thinking seriously, and talking about her baby, Hina.

Miki: Hina is really big for me.

She gives makes me happy anytime and makes me positive.

Me: How does she make you happy?

Miki: Her face expressions and her cute voice are so cute!

Me: I know! Then, how does she make you positive?

Miki: I am needed when she wants to drink mother’s milk or change her diaper. When she cries and calls me, I am reminded that I am her mother, and it encourages me.

I was surprised that she thinks a lot and that I didn’t know it. Also she said, “I have lots of worries of her and me, but now, I feel happy anyway!” She is single mother, and she has to raise her baby by herself. Before I asked, I was thinking that she worries about their future and many things. However, her answer was really positive, so I was glad to hear that. I thought Hina is still very small and she can’t tell anything, but she gives her mother lots of happiness and she encourages her. That is fantastic!!

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27. Relationships through Collaboration Yuriko Fukutomi When I arrived at home on Wednesday (July 10th), my little brother Yuta who is 11 years old was playing a video game in his room. Then I entered his room and asked him to answer this following question “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” Of course, he cannot speak English so I asked him in Japanese.

At first, he was so confused so I explained again so that he could understand what I was saying. After a few minutes of thinking, he said “I am an elementary school student so I do not study so much, it means I have plenty of time to hang out with my friends. I think friends are one of important things for me. Umm… And I love to chat with them. They try to make me laugh and they laugh too. When we laugh together, I feel I have a fulfilling day.” While he was talking I tried to shadow him and do the 7 ways of improvisation. I thought I was a good listener but my brother said, “Why are you acting so weird?” I was shocked by his words and I asked him to tell me the reason why he thought that way. He said “You do not usually care about what I am saying but now you listen to me with enthusiasm so I feel strange.” He was not mad at my usual attitudes but nevertheless I said “Sorry.”

Next, I asked him "Where do you hang out with your friends and what do you do?" He said, "I usually hang out in my friend's house or my room.

Sometimes we hang out in a park but outside is too hot in this season so we go to a swimming pool near our house. In winter, we play basketball including strangers. Even adults are willing to play with us! Isn't it great? I think people are helping me to have a good life by having a relationship with me through the sports. Can this be an answer to your first question too?" I was surprised by his precocious way of talking. For me, he is still like a 5 year-old little boy.

Through this research, I realized that doing something with other people helps him to have a relationship that makes his life meaningful. I thought I should not hesitate to talk to other people, like my brother. If I could talk to strangers, I would be able to have a confidence about myself and I might do more random acts of kindness.

Some Important References: Anchor, S. (2010). The happiness advantage. New York: Random House.

Brown, S. (2009). Play: How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination, and invigorates the soul. New York Penguin.

Dornyei, Z. & Murphey, T. (2003). Group dynamics in the language classroom. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Hatfield, E., Cacioppo, J., & Rapson, R. (1994). Emotional Contagion, Cambridge: Cambridge University press.

Morris, Dave (2012). The seven ways of improvisation. Victoria TEDx Murphey, T. (1992) Music and Song Oxford University Press (4th printing).

Whitney, D., & Troston-­‐Bloom, A. (2010). The power of appreciative inquiry. San Francisco: Berrett-­‐Koehler.

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28. Communicating with people can change our life!

Yumi Okumura I asked one of my best friends, Yuki, to help me with this case study. We belonged to the same group activities, so I have known her since we were freshman. We talked about this activity in Lapaz for about 15 minutes.

When we met, we talked a little about other things, then I said “I’m going to ask you one question, and it is from EISO class.” So I asked her “What do people do to help you have a great day and a meaningful life?”

Yuki said, “I’ve never been asked a question like this.” She answered my question after she considered a little bit longer: ”Umm…. To communicate with people!” Then I replied and tried to shadow, “Communicate with people? With who?” she said, “Anybody. Like Friends, family, cousins…and so on.” Then I said, “Anybody you talk with. It’s really nice!” She smiled and said, “Yes! Everyone I talk with. You know, now I work part-time at a hotel.” She continued, “So, also people who come to the hotel where I work.”

Then I asked her one more question, “Why can communicating with people change your day?” She answered, “Because if people talk with others, they can get someone’s experience, and they can share their minds.” She added, “When a person who comes to the hotel talks to me about what he/she enjoyed, I can get this person’s experience and feel happy.” I said, “I really think your part-time job suits you.” Then she laughed and said “Yeah!”

After that, Yuki added, “I think it is important for people to know others, and they can spend a meaningful life.” I just shadowed, “knowing others?” Then she said, “Yes. I mean knowing people includes talking and sharing feelings with others.” I nodded and she continued, “People don’t live alone. Every day we talk with people a lot!” Then I replied, ”Umm, I can understand you and I think so, too.

It’s hard for me to laugh and solve personal problems alone. I’m always helped by many people.”

When I interviewed her, she smiled and seemed to be happy. Her thought and mine were similar. We enjoyed talking and I thought today was great because I laughed a lot by talking with Yuki. I can’t laugh loudly by myself.

However, I can laugh a lot when I talk with people and the day will become great.

Anybody can change another’s day into a great and meaningful day!

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29. Smiling, Spending Time with Friends and Praying Lina Yamaguchi I asked my friends Travis and Angie to help me to do this project. They are a couple and live in the United States now, and they were my English teachers when I was a high school student. Before they returned to the U.S., they said to me “We are not your teacher anymore; we are your friends from now on.” And we have been friends since that time. I asked them “How do people help you have a great day and a meaningful life?” They gave me wonderful answers while we talked on Skype.

First, Travis said that smiling is very important in our lives. He thinks smiling has a good effect on our feelings, and also it makes people happy. He told me his story when he was in the trouble. Five years ago, he came to Japan, and he could not speak Japanese at all. He thought, how can I communicate with Japanese people? However, when he came to my high school on the first day, many students welcomed him with smiles. Then he felt relieved, and he realized smiling is the best way to communicate with people. The student’s smiles made him happy.

Second, Angie said spending time with friends is an easy way to have a great day and a meaningful life. She loves talking with friends, and also she loves her friends. She explained that spending time with friends makes her relaxed. Not only having fun time with friends, they also give her courage. When she feels depressed, her friends care about her, and they cheer her up. I think her answer is extremely correct because I have the same experiences as her experience. I cannot live without my friends, and they are really necessary for me.

Third, both Travis and Angie answered praying makes a meaningful and great day. Prayers for a family, friend or people who are all over the world are essential for our lives. Praying is not only to help you to have a great day, also you can make your family, your friends or people around you happier and have a meaningful life. Through their idea, I realized how these things are important for our lives. It looks difficult to have a great day and meaningful life but there is much happiness in our day. We tend not to notice the happiness but when we notice it, we can find the way to have a wonderful day easily from our every day activities.

Post Script: Tim MurpheyI have really enjoyed having these students in this class, “Changing the World: One Playful Smile at a Time.” We had a lot of fun and learned a lot, me too! I learned that we should not underestimate the power of young people to go out and change others, to make their lives better, both their case study people and their lives! “Reality is desperately in need of imagination.” “Be the change you wish to see in the world” Tim :)*)

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