14．important things
I’ve loved nature and animals since my childhood, and
when I graduated from college I decided to become a falconer and live through
in nature. I’ve never wanted to change my way of life though I’ve gone through
many hardships since then. It is because I’ve been doing what I like the most,
probably.
There are always too many people who are afraid to get
out of the average way of life. They might think I’m lacking in common sense or
even extraordinary. But I think I’m just individualistic and individuality is
very important for everyone. It is the only thing in the world. Nothing can
take the place of it. I believe if you respect your individuality and make full
use of it, you can open up a whole new world of your own. What is more, the
average or standard changes with the times. You should think and act for
yourself without being restricted by them.
My son is going on to junior high school this April, and I want him to
find something he can be really into, and of course to become a nature
lover. So I often climb a mountain with him or take him to the sea, where
we capture fish and shellfish and eat them together. I’ve been trying to
hand down to my son the knowledge and skill I’ve got in nature, and also
my attitude toward nature. With
those he could live under any severe conditions.
There is one thing left to say. I also want
him to learn from his challenge and failure, not only from someone’s teaching.
I’ve failed and suffered pain many times in my life and I’ve learned a lot each
time. So I want my son to experience hardships. Your efforts are not always
rewarded. Sometimes you lose. No matter how trying the circumstances, you have
to get over it. My son has to learn this. I have no interest in anyone who
succeed or win all the time, still less feel attracted to them.
Matsubara Hidetoshi
