Gratitude And The Gift Of Life – Online Gratitude Journal #5

(Photo by Mr. Greenjeans)

My late grandfather in WWII

My late paternal grandfather was a physician. He served as the headmaster of Shanghai Railroad Hospital in the early 1940’s.

A bit about historical background: This is when Japan was in war with China, leading to WWII on the Asian side of the world. Japan (along with some other western countries) invaded China, took their land and built railroads for Japanese industries and military. The Railroad Hospital was for the local Japanese expatriates.

My grandfather, however, took Chinese patients when he thought necessary. He was a physician, and for him, his mission was to save lives. But this liberal attitude caused friction with other Japanese there, and he returned to Japan after only a few years.

When China reopened its door to Japan in the 1970’s, he went back and saw some of his former patients who were still alive. They welcomed him warmly. (Note that back then, or even today, many Chinese people hate Japanese for what we did to them during the war.) One former patient wrote a beautiful calligraphy that says “Magic hand that saves life” and gave it to my grandfather.

What really happened during the war

This week, Hunter Nuttalll and I wrote joint posts Comparing America And Japan. While discussing Freedom and Opportunities, we talked about the War Relocation Camp the US government enforced during WWII to the people with Japanese ancestries. It is also called Japanese American Internment.

This is not about POWs. POWs are captured combats. This Internment, on the other hand, was forced to civilians living in the US. Many were US citizens. But during the war, many “mainstream” Americans grew suspicious of them because they or their parents were from enemy country, Japan.

The book and movie Snow Falling On Cedars depicts this situation well. I don’t think it works well as a mystery, but it does describe the time and its feelings. Those Japanese Americans were forced to move hundreds (sometimes over a thousand) miles at short notice. They had to sell their houses, farms, businesses, and pretty much everything they had in a few days – and everyone knew about it, so the selling prices were practically nothing (talk about buyer’s market. . .). They had to live in the camp until the end of war. Again, they committed no crimes – the only thing that was wrong was their ancestry.

And I’m writing this not to accuse the US government but to point out what can happen in war. War fuels fear and drives people to do unreasonable things, like putting innocent civilians under custody (well, it was the government’s policy, but the general public in the US supported it) or refusing to treat sick people like many Japanese doctors did in China.

Gratitude for the lesson in life

Today I am grateful for my late grandfather who showed with his own actions the courage and love that transcend politics. I would like to use the power of this gratitude to forgive.

To learn more check out these movies:

The Last Emperor
To see some of the crazy things Japanese did in China during WWII. Learn the history so that we can learn the lesson from it, rather than to get distressed with guilt, shame and blame.

Picture Bride
Comments to the aforementioned post also covered the special history of Hawaii. This movie is about the Japanese immigrants in early days of Hawaii. Bonus: Same good-looking actress, Youki Kudoh, who played Hatsue in Snow Falling On Cedars.

Lost in Translation
You can wrap up with this hysterically funny movie, which is also a beautiful story of love.

My Law of Attraction Dream Money Project, week 4, $800

I’ve spent a good deal of time thinking how I want to use this dream money. The stake is getting high. $800. Do I want a new laptop – maybe an Apple for a change? Do I want several trips to spa to pamper myself?

These are nice, but this week, I want to send this money to charities. I intend to donate 10% of my business profit, so this is really nothing much, but it’s a start. I want to express my gratitude for the gift of life I have.

This is not just to honor my late grandfather. I have heard some sad news around the blogosphere. Alex‘ father-in-law passed. Pearl’s father passed a few month ago. Another friend’s relative is MIA and I’m very concerned. I would like to take a moment to honor these people who are so well remembered.

I have also heard heart-warming news of birth from Peter. Steve recently had his second. Kim and Jason are expecting their first. Talk about the big cycle of life.

So $800 to charities. I like Kiva. I’m also looking at organizations that support artists because I love arts.

May I ask you for a favor, please?

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Is Becoming An Entrepreneur Harder Than Surviving In A Foreign Country?
True Life Purpose Goes Beyond The Illusion Of Self

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What are you grateful for today?

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