Space Bike (90/03/01)
When talking with Americans, I call the two-wheeled vehicle I regularly ride around the city a "bike", which is the shortened form of "bicycle". "Cycle" comes from the Greek word for "wheel" and "bi" from the French word for "two". When speaking in English with Japanese, however, I use the more formal word, "bicycle", because the Japanese word baiku signifies a motorized vehicle. A recent news item that caught my attention indicates that the term "bike" seems to have acquired a still more extended meaning. The article told of the Soviet cosmonauts who have successfully tested a "space bike" specially designed to maneuver around their space station. Can you imagine the shape of this vehicle? Since it has no wheels, it is not, literally, a bicycle. Rather, it resembles a quilted airline seat attached by a cord to the station. It can be maneuvered by the cosmonaut seated in it and, during the tests, the driver ventured up to 30 meters away from the station. Reading the article, I was reminded again that a living language is constantly changing and, as times change, old words acquire new meanings. Genuine communication requires a clear understanding of the particular meaning a particular speaker gives to particular words. (3200)
Straining Vocal Cords (90/03/02)
Karaoke has become a popular pastime for many people in Japan. Those who engage in it probably find relief for stress in singing loudly and fantasizing that they are great singers. Although some people criticize the practice as a source of noise pollution, not only many taverns but an increasing number of homes now have devices to provide this "empty orchestra" to accompany amateur singers. Recently, a weekly magazine has pointed up a danger of this fad. A number of karaoke enthusiasts are finding that they have developed polyps or nodes in their throats due to straining their vocal cords. According to a throat specialist, these swellings or growths in the throat cause the voice to become blurred. If detected early, they can be reduced by avoiding straining the vocal cords. Otherwise, they must be removed by surgery. It was also pointed out that some mothers who constantly yell at their children, urging them to study or to eat, develop these abnormalities. The ability to make meaningful and pleasant sounds with our vocal cords, that is, to speak and to sing, is truly a remarkable gift from our Creator. We should make wise use of this ability and not misuse it or debase it. What use are you making of your vocal cords these days? (3201)
Meal Coupons (90/03/03)
Our 1970 trip across the Soviet Union was arranged through the Soviet Travel Agency, Intourist. Included in the overall charge were our travel expenses, hotel accommodations, city tours and meal coupons for breakfasts. During our tour of Moscow, I overheard an American youth telling his companion about a restaurant that served good food at a very reasonable price. Being interested in this subject, I asked him where the restaurant was located and found out he was talking about London, not Moscow. However, he said that since he was leaving Russia that day and would not be using the extra meal coupons he had on hand, he offered to give them to us. Later on, while we were eating dinner at the hotel, he came to our table and gave us many more meal coupons that he had gathered from other members of his tour group. Since these coupons could be used for any meal, our family of five was able to eat three meals a day during our visit to the Soviet Union without paying additional money. Another impression we received during our visit, along with the poor service at restaurants and other stores, was the lack of many smiling faces around us. Most people seemed very serious or somewhat grumpy from our viewpoint and we realized the difference it makes to have an inner motivation to work well and to be able to freely express one's opinions. (3202)
Lent (90/03/04)
The word "lent", spelled l-e-n-t, is the past tense of the verb "lend". When written with a capital letter, however, it is a noun that signifies a particular season in the church calendar. Derived from an old English word for "spring", it now denotes the 40-day period preceding Easter Sunday. Traditionally, Lent is a time when Christians quietly meditate on the sufferings of Jesus Christ and their significance as they prepare to commemorate his death and resurrection. It is a time of reflection and repentance. This year, Easter falls on the 15th of April, so today is the first Sunday in Lent. In some church traditions, it is customary for believers to fast and to give up some enjoyment to deepen their sense of participation with Christ in his sufferings during this season. According to the 4th chapter of the First Letter of Peter, when Christians suffer or are persecuted for their faith, they should not consider it unusual nor feel ashamed. Rather, they should be glad that they are sharing Christ's sufferings. If we can discern some worthy purpose in our suffering, we find it easier to endure. From the life of Jesus, we clearly see that self-sacrifice and suffering inevitably accompany genuine love.(3203)
I no Naka no Kawazu (90/03/05)
The ancient Chinese scholar, Sôshi, wrote that a frog in the well should not talk about the ocean. It is from this word that the Japanese proverb, I no naka no kawazu, taikai o shirazu, was derived. In English, we do not have a common proverb with the same significance, but there is a saying that "He that stays in the valley shall never get over the hill". Both of these expressions imply the need for widening our outlook and gaining an understanding of the world beyond the boundaries of our limited experience. One way to get out of the well or valley in which we live is to move physically, to travel to other areas. Another way is by reading books or watching informative programs on television. Of course, learning a foreign language also opens doors to a wider world and, hopefully, these English language telephone messages will further help to broaden your vision. (3204)
The Environment (90/03/06)
The first sentence of a recent newspaper article read: "A green landscape is more important to Americans than a strong greenback, a new survey shows." Do you understand its meaning? Of course, a green landscape denotes natural scenery with flourishing vegetation, such as trees, shrubs and grass. And a greenback is a piece of American paper money that is printed with green ink on the back. The survey showed that 74 percent of Americans would accept slower economic growth in order to improve the environment. Concern for the environment is increasing these days as many activities of the industrial nations are causing damage to our natural surroundings. The lifestyle of us common citizens and some products we use also cause pollution. Forests are being depleted, the earth's atmosphere is getting warmer and certain species of living things are becoming extinct. Are you concerned about such problems? What can common people do to preserve the variety, health and beauty of our natural surroundings for coming generations? I and the readers of the periodical, "Daily Word" Echoes, would be happy to read an essay from you on the theme of "What can be done to save the environment." I will correct the essays before they are published. My address is: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (3205)
Coffee Shop "Yukitan" (90/03/07)
Coffee shops are known not only for the flavor of their coffee but for the flavor of their atmosphere as well. A coffee shop with a truly unique flavor was opened last August in downtown Hamamatsu. Its name, "Yukitan", is the nickname of the eldest son of Kazuyo Masuda, a former piano teacher who is the shop's owner and manager. Kazuyo's 23-year-old son was born with cerebral palsy. Life is lonely for handicapped persons who find it difficult to go out because most buildings are constructed with able-bodied people in mind. Yukitan, however, was designed especially for the convenience and enjoyment of the handicapped. For many of its regular customers, this is the only place they can socialize outside of their homes or institutions. One man travels two hours in his battery-operated wheelchair almost every day to meet and talk with others there. On the walls of the shop, photographs and paintings by its patrons are displayed and in a second floor meeting room, classes in English and flower arrangement are held. One way to measure the cultural level of a society is to observe how it treats its weaker members. The Bible teaches that those who are strong should help bear the burdens of the weak and not simply please themselves [Romans 15:1]. (3206)
Basement Rooms (90/03/08)
The underground part of a building is called the basement. A recent news article indicates that basements are becoming popular in Japan these days. Sales of basement units are booming in the suburbs of Tokyo and Osaka. At first, construction companies advertised these units as storerooms, but more and more families are using them as playrooms, music rooms, exercise rooms, studies or dens. It costs more to build a room underground than aboveground, but improved technologies have helped to change the dark and damp image of basement rooms into that of comfortable living quarters. A few years ago, three-story houses were popular, but now there is more interest in houses with basements. The basement in my childhood home in northern Illinois contained a small pump room for pumping water from a well into our house, a furnace room and coalbin, a cellar where fresh fruits and vegetables were stored and where foods my mother had canned were kept on shelves, a laundry room, a workbench and a play area. Even in hot weather, it was always cool in the basement, so when I worked the night shift in a factory in the summer, I used to sleep in the basement during the day. In Japan, where land is so scarce, it seems wise to make use of underground rooms. (3207)
Escalator (90/03/09)
Seventy-six years ago today, on March 9, 1914, the first escalator in Japan went into operation in the Mitsukoshi Department Store. An escalator is a continuously moving stairway used to carry people up or down from one floor to another. This word is a blending of the verb "escalade" with the noun "elevator". "Escalade", from Italian words meaning to scale with a ladder, means to scale a wall as warriors did during feudal age battles. Although "escalator" is now a generic term, it was originally registered as a trademark name in 1900. It is one of a number of words now in common use which were originally trademarks identifying certain products of particular companies. Other examples are the transparent wrapping material called "cellophane", the cleansing tissue called "kleenex" and the medicine taken for pain or fever called "aspirin". The world's longest escalator, in a Leningrad subway station, has 729 steps and a vertical rise of 60 meters. When using escalators, it is polite for passengers to stand to one side to permit those in a hurry to pass by. The verb "escalate" means to increase, enlarge or intensify and we should do our part to escalate the movement for peace and justice in the world. (3208)
The Soviet System (90/03/10)
During our brief visit to Moscow and Leningrad in June, 1970, we were surprised that so few people spoke English even in international hotels which catered to foreign guests. In the dining room, the barber shop and among the hotel staff, it seemed that English was not understood. One English-speaking lady at a desk was supposed to help foreigners with their problems and there was always a line of people waiting to talk with her. There were also lines of people waiting to buy bread in a bakery, to try on a hat in a clothing store, to buy a drink in a public square, using a glass that was simply rinsed out after the previous drinker had used it, or to buy tickets to a museum. We were also impressed with the lack of choice among various alternatives. The radio in our hotel room had various settings, but only one broadcast was available. The dining room menu had many listings but very few could actually be ordered. During a city tour, I questioned the guide about the Soviet practice of giving the voters the "choice" of only one candidate in elections. This began a discussion between us, me in the center of the bus and he at the front using a loud speaker, that caused him to neglect his explanation of the city sites to explain the superiority of the Soviet system. It did not seem very persuasive to me at the time and now it seems that many Soviet citizens did not agree with him either. (3209)
Rainbow (90/03/11)
The English word spelled b-o-w, when used as a verb, is pronounced bau and means to bend or curve the body. In Japan, it is common to greet people with a bow. When used as a noun, it is pronounced bou and denotes something bent or curved. An archer uses a bow to shoot arrows and some girls wear bows in their hair. The colorful arc in the sky when the sun appears following rain is called a rainbow. In the Bible, the story of the origin and meaning of the rainbow is found in the book of Genesis, chapter 9. Following the flood, when all creatures were destroyed except for those in Noah's ark, God promised that never again would the earth be destroyed by a flood and put this beautiful bow in the sky as "a sign of [his] covenant with the world". According to this story, God made a promise to, or a covenant with, the whole world. Before the covenant made with Abraham, the father of both Jews and Arabs, and the covenant related to the Law of Moses, God made an earlier covenant with the whole world. This story teaches God's concern for all of creation, not only for a certain part or a certain people. The rainbow is a symbol of hope and I hope that when you see it, you will remember its biblical significance--that God has an interest in YOU and in your wellbeing. (3210)
Sawaranu Kami (90/03/12)
In traditional Japanese thought, there are many different kami each with their own peculiar characteristics. Some kami seem to be quite sensitive and if they are not treated correctly, they become angry and send some misfortune, or tatari, into the life of the offender. Therefore, from one point of view, it is considered wise to keep one's distance from the kami: Sawaranu kami ni, tatari nashi. Western proverbs with a similar meaning are not related to God or gods. We say: "Let sleeping dogs lie" or "Wake not a sleeping lion". The New Testament conception of God is quite different than that of Japanese tradition. God is pictured as a loving Father and, in James 4:8, people are encouraged to "come near to God" with the promise that, in return, "he will come near to [them]". Far from being a fearful prospect this is a happy and desirable result. (3211)
Foreign Students (90/03/13)
As a stimulus to Japan's internationalization, the government is seeking to increase the number of foreign students studying here. The goal is to have 100,000 foreign students in colleges, universities and vocational schools by the end of the century. Whether or not the goal will be reached, the number of such students has been increasing year by year. In 1979, there were less than 6000 foreign students in Japan, but as of May 1st of last year, ten years later, there were over 31,000. Of that number, about 1000 were sent by foreign governments, over 4000 were on Japanese government scholarships and almost 26,000 were paying their own tuition. Many of these students complained of high prices and unsatisfactory living conditions. The largest number of foreign students, over 10,000, came from China, while South Korea and Taiwan each sent over 6,000. Over 1000 came from Malaysia and less than 1000 from the United States. In order for these students to return to their homelands with positive impressions of Japan, Japanese people must make an effort to make them feel welcome--even though they are different. Those writing essays for the next issue of "Daily Word" Echoes should send them to reach me by Tuesday, March 20th. (3212)
Smile Gymnastics (90/03/14)
As a part of the emphasis on team spirit and togetherness which is so important in Japanese companies, it is common for employees to assemble for group calisthenics at the beginning of the working day. I remember my surprise one day when I saw the entire staff of a bank, from the sophisticated manager to humble clerks, join together in their daily exercises. Now, the Meitetsu Department Store in Nagoya has introduced a new variation of this common practice, which it calls "smile gymnastics", in line with its president's assertion that employees who don't smile should quit. A weekly magazine reported that all employees are expected to carry their "smile mirrors" with them to the daily drill. Looking into the mirrors, they make sure that the tips of their lips turn upward in a pleasant smile. Then they close their eyes and open them wide before going through breathing exercises orchestrated by a drill master. These exercises include filling the cheeks with air, switching the air from one side to the other and then sucking the air out so the cheeks will be pinched and the mouth will be pouting. The routine ends with all shouting "lucky", which forces the mouth to break into a smile. Foreign customers will now have more reason to wonder about the meaning behind the elusive Japanese smile. (3213)
Andrew Jackson (90/03/15)
There were two presidents of the United States whose given names were Andrew. In fact, the surnames of both of these men were similar also. Andrew Jackson was the 7th president and Andrew Johnson was the 17th. Jackson, nicknamed Old Hickory, was born 223 years ago today, on March 15, 1767. He was the first president who came from the poorer level of society. His father, a farmer, died shortly before Andrew was born and two older brothers were killed in the Revolutionary War. His mother died when he was twelve years old, leaving him alone in the world. After studying law, Jackson served as a lawyer, a judge, a planter, a merchant and a military officer. Because of victories over both the Indians and the British, he became a national hero. When he became president in 1828, he had the strong support of such common folk as the pioneers, farmers, small planters and country shopkeepers, and under his leadership, the Democratic Party became the party of the common people. Jackson's creed can be summed up in such phrases as: faith in common people, belief in political equality and in equal economic opportunity, hatred of monopoly and special privilege. One of his famous sayings was: "One man with courage makes a majority".(3214)
Asia House (90/03/16)
To develop a healthy international outlook, openmindedness must be stimulated when a child is young. A Christian nursery school in Osaka is trying to help its pupils understand other Asian countries. This school is located in Ikuno Ward, where there are many Korean residents. Nearly 80 percent of the 90 children who attend the school are Korean. Ten year ago, Keiko Shige, a teacher at the school, taught the children a traditional Korean dance which they performed. After a similar performance the following year, she visited foreign consulates and Asian dance schools for help. Now her World Children Festival has become an annual event when dances are performed to traditional Asian music. Asian students have assisted in this program and traditional dances of more than ten Asian countries, including China, Thailand, the Philippines and India, have now been performed. To express her gratitude to students who have helped her, Ms. Shige is planning to open an apartment house for Asian students this summer. Called Asia House, it will house ten self-supporting students. With rents less than ¥20,000 a month, she expects the students to maintain the common kitchen and bathroom facilities on their own. She hopes the house will become a place for exchanges between Japanese and other Asians. (3215)
Leningrad Church (90/03/17)
Since we were in Leningrad on a Sunday, we wanted to attend a Christian worship service. The English-speaking lady at the hotel wrote the name and address of the Baptist Church on a piece of paper for us to show to a taxi driver. We arrived at the church, in a somewhat isolated area, just as the evening service was beginning. The man who greeted us at the sidewalk recognized us as foreigners, led us around to the back of the church, into a side entrance, and seated us on a pew behind the pulpit, facing the congregation. The church was overflowing with worshippers. A lady came to sit beside us to translate for us, but she did not speak English, only German. Later a couple of young Swedish men also came and sat next to us. Following the service, we visited with the pastor by means of a complicated process. I spoke in English to one of the Swedish men who understood a little English. He tried to communicate my meaning, using the little German he knew, to the German-speaking Russian lady, who in turn conveyed it to the pastor. His response followed the same, involved route, in reverse order, back to me. Needless to say, completely satisfactory communication was not achieved, but it was a very interesting "conversation", to say the least. (3216)
Glorify God (90/03/18)
In the last chapter of the Gospel of John, there is an interesting account of a conversation between Jesus and his disciple, Simon Peter. Before Jesus' death, during his trial before the Jewish Council, Peter had three times denied any relationship with Jesus in order to avoid trouble for himself. Now, after his resurrection, Jesus asks Peter three times to affirm his love for him, and Peter does so. Then Jesus implies that Peter himself will be crucified, even as Jesus had been. The fascinating words of verse 19 are: "He said this to indicate the manner of death by which Peter was to glorify God." Some people may be surprised to learn that by dying a person can glorify, or bring honor to, God, but the Bible teaches that every aspect of a person's existence should glorify God. In his Letter to the Philippians, chapter 1, verse 20, the Apostle Paul wrote from his prison cell, "My deep desire is [to] be full of courage, so that with my whole being I shall bring honour to Christ, whether I live or die." Christians believe that their chief purpose in the world is to bring glory to God, whether by living an exemplary life that manifests God's character or by giving up our lives for his sake. It is this faith that has inspired martyrs throughout the ages. (3217)
A Fish out of Water (90/03/19)
How do you feel when you are at a meeting or social gathering where everyone is speaking a foreign language, is talking about things you have no knowledge of or is dressed differently than you? You may feel you are in the wrong place or "out of your element". In such a situation, we may say, "I feel like a fish out of water". A similar Japanese expression refers to a kappa, instead of a fish, riku ni agatta kappa. Depending on how we view it, the imaginary creature called a kappa may be translated into English as a water sprite, imp or monster. In any case, it is uncomfortable to feel like a fish out of water or like a water sprite on land, so we should sympathize with those who are in strange or unfamiliar surroundings and make an effort to ease their feelings of anxiety, treating them as we would like them to treat us if we were in their shoes. (3218)
New Zealand/Sheep (90/03/20)
Among English words beginning with the letters r-a-t-i-o are ration, rational, rationale, rationalize and rationalism. All of these words are rooted in a Latin word meaning reckon or calculate. "Ratio" signifies a numerical relation between two things. A recent news item stated that the "most famous statistic" in New Zealand is the ratio of sheep to people. Raising sheep for both their wool and their meat, called mutton, is a major industry in New Zealand. However, in recent years the profitability of sheep farming compared with other types of farming has decreased and so has the number of sheep. New Zealand's sheep population fell over 6 percent, from 64 million to 60 million in the year to last June. Consequently, the ratio of sheep to people fell from 20 to one in 1988 to 19 to one in 1989. Unfortunately, some people value certain animals higher than people, but in Matthew 12:12, Jesus declared that "A man is worth much more than a sheep." If you wish to receive a written copy of these telephone messages before they are spoken, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope plus ¥60 in stamps to: "Daily Word", Post Office Box 30, Moriyama Post Office, Nagoya 463. (3219)
Taxi Drivers (90/03/21)
The word "taxi" is a shortened form of "taxicab", which is an automobile that carries passengers for a fare. "Taxicab" is a combination of "taximeter" and "cab". A taximeter, from French words meaning "charge-measurer", is the device in a taxicab that measures the distance and waiting time and then calculates the charge or tax. I wonder if you have noticed that the number of taxi drivers is decreasing year by year. Not only do more and more people now own their own cars, but the working conditions and wages of taxi drivers are lower than many other jobs. In Tokyo, in 1983, there were over 71,000 taxi drivers, but in 1988, there were less than 66,000, a decrease of 8.6 percent in five years. The average annual salary of a Tokyo taxi driver in 1988 was ¥4.78 million, ¥600,000 less than the average industry worker's salary, but he worked approximately 220 hours a month, some 30 hours more than the average worker. The Transportation Ministry is considering instructing taxi companies to raise drivers' wages and shorten their working hours to remedy the situation. Overworking workers is one of the complaints that foreign countries have against Japan. (3220)
Vandyke (90/03/22)
It is the custom of orthodox Jewish men to wear full beards in accordance with the commandment in Leviticus 19:27 prohibiting the trimming of beards, which was the custom of other nations. These days, most men who grow beards trim them regularly. A short, pointed beard is called a Vandyke beard and a broad collar of linen or lace with a deeply indented edge is called a Vandyke collar. They were both named after the Flemish painter, Sir Anthony Vandyke, who was born 391 years ago, on March 22,1599. Vandyke became famous as a painter of portraits, to which he imparted qualities of elegance, dignity and refinement which pleased his royal and aristocratic patrons. A number of his portraits are now on display in the Louvre in Paris and Buckingham Palace in London. His full-length painting of "Charles I on Horseback" is considered the finest example of portraiture. During the final nine years of his life, Vandyke painted over 350 portraits in England and his death at 42 is attributed to overwork. In addition to portraits, he also painted a famous series of religious pictures, the greatest of which, depicting Jesus' crucifixion, hangs in a cathedral in Belgium.(3221)
Pakistan (90/03/23)
An acronym, spelled a-c-r-o-n-y-m, is a word formed by combining significant letters of other words. Examples of acronyms are SCAP, UNESCO and radar. Interestingly enough, there is an Asian country whose name is actually an acronym. In the 1930s, when India was still under British rule, students in England from India's northwestern area where Muslims were predominant, anticipated the eventual creation of an Islamic state. They coined the name "Pakistan" from the various regions of that area, including Punjab, Afghan border districts, Kashmir, Sind and Baluchistan. By more than a happy coincidence, Pakistan also is composed of the Persian root pak, meaning "pure, unadulterated or holy" and stan, a common Urdu suffix meaning "land or place". Thus, besides representing its constituent areas, the name also means "Land of the pure". Following the Second World War, when India gained its independence, this area was recognized as a separate dominion within the British Commonwealth. On March 23, 1956, thirty-four years ago today, it proclaimed itself the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Unique among Islamic nations, it has a woman prime minister and I wonder if this implies that it is more politically advanced than Japan. (3222)
First Stop in Poland (90/03/24)
Aboard the train from Leningrad to Warsaw, our family seemed to be the only speakers of English so, again, we had difficulty ordering our meals. At the first stop in Poland, all passengers had to disembark to change trains. I decided to use this time to quickly change some dollars into zlotys. At first, the clerk began filling out the form used for changing rubles into zlotys. Recognizing her mistake, she started over again. If more than $50 was exchanged, a higher rate of exchange was given, but she mistakenly used the lower rate. After I pointed this out to her, she began again for the third time. At the higher rate of exchange, coupons similar to travelers checks are issued, each of which must be signed. Thus, it took more time than I had planned and my son came to tell me the train was waiting for me. After hurriedly scribbling my signature on the coupons, I rushed out to find my wife and children and our luggage on the platform, a short distance away from the end of the train. A porter wanted to transport our luggage to the train but my wife kept refusing to let him to do so until I boarded with them. A grumpy conductor was impatiently watching from the platform at the rear end of the train. As soon as we boarded, the train began to move and as we pulled out, I saw the disgusted expression on the face of the porter to whom I had given one of the coins I had just received. I later realized its value was less than an American cent. (3223)
Salt of the Earth (90/03/25)
Salt is an essential element in the diet of human beings. Without it, we would suffer and die. Salt is used for various purposes. Before Japanese wrestlers begin their bout and after people attend a funeral in Japan, salt is thrown around as a symbolic purification. Actually, salt does possess a purifying quality and is used as a preservative to keep fish or other foods from spoiling. It serves to arrest or prevent decay. Another use of salt is to add flavor or zest to food. A pinch of salt can make unpalatable food tasty. These various uses of salt were probably in Jesus' mind when he said to his disciples, in Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth". In keeping with these words, Jesus disciples in every age should exert their influence to preserve society from becoming corrupt and rotten. Christians should be a purifying element in the midst of social, political or economic corruption and actively work to bring about a more just and morally sound society. They should also add an agreeable flavor to society by their words and actions. But just as salt acts quietly and completely dissolves in the food, the influence of Jesus' followers, insofar as possible, should be peaceful and unobtrusive rather than confrontational. (3224)
Ishin-Denshin (90/03/26)
The Japanese expression, ishin-denshin, comes from Zen Buddhism. It is used to describe the communication of truth which cannot be expressed in words, truth communicated directly from the mind of the master to the mind of the disciple. The expression is also used by Japanese outside of the monastery to indicate a kind of mental telepathy between people who can understand the thoughts or feelings of their partners without using words. In English, we may call this a tacit understanding or a communion of mind with mind. In order for this kind of communication to take place, the two people must be "on the same wavelength" and have a sympathetic understanding of each other. It is difficult for such communication to take place between people of different cultural backgrounds, but it is possible between those having a common faith. (3225)
Listening Closely (90/03/27)
Sometimes the results of a research project are informative or surprising. At other times, they merely confirm facts that the common person already knows. Recently published research of an assistant professor of communication at Ohio State University falls into the latter category. The study, conducted by Laura Stafford, showed that strangers recall more of their conversations than married couples. She wrote, "It appears obvious that at the early stage of a relationship you are listening closely to what a person is saying and forming impressions and evaluations--asking yourself, 'Do I like this person?' By the time you are in a stable marriage, you are no longer forming impressions and evaluations of your spouse--not on a routine basis, anyway. So you don't recall as much detail from a conversation." One implication of this research was that paying only slight attention to your spouse's words may indicate a happy marriage. This is encouraging to those of us who are sometimes scolded by our spouses for not listening nor remembering what they said. During his teaching, Jesus frequently stated, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear", but it is only when our spiritual ears are opened through faith that we can hear or understand God's word to us. (3226)
Sen no Rikyû (90/03/28)
Today is the memorial day for one of the great masters of chadô, the unique Japanese tea ceremony. It is the 400th anniversary of the death of Sen no Rikyû. Three generations after his death, Kyoto land belonging to the Sen family was divided into three parcels and a separate school of tea was created on each. On this special occasion, these three schools--Urasenke, Omotesenke and Mushanokojisenke--will gather together to commemorate the death of their respected ancestor at the Daitokuji Temple where his grave is located. Traditional Buddhist memorial rites will be performed together by the three grandmasters of the respective schools, all of whom are Zen priests. Afterward, each of the three groups will hold their own private celebrations. The largest of the three schools, Urasenke, has more than two million followers in Japan alone and over 60 chapters worldwide, including those in the United States, Peru, Australia and Sweden. The current grandmaster, Sôshitsu Sen, is a 15th generation descendant of Rikyû. The aim of the tea ceremony is to engender harmony, respect, purity and tranquility, qualities which are certainly needed in the world today. (3227)
Talking Posters (90/03/29)
Since I ride a bicycle almost every day, whether to attend meetings or to go on errands around the city, newspaper articles relating to bicycles often attract my attention. A recent article was datelined: Hiroshima. It concerned a problem that is affecting many shopping areas now that more and more people are using bicycles and parking them along roads and sidewalks that hinders a smooth flow of traffic. Through radio and television campaigns, the Hiroshima municipal government has tried to persuade bicycle riders not to park their bicycles in the roads, but it had little success. Now it is trying a new method: talking posters. In the United States, I have ridden in a talking car, that told me to close a door or fasten my seatbelt or informed me that the gas level was low. I have also received a talking greeting card, but I have never heard a talking poster. These new posters, costing ¥50,000 each, are set up near certain department stores. As people pass by, they hear a woman's voice saying, "Bicycles parked here trouble everyone. Let's not park bicycles in the road." I hope these talking posters have good results, but I'm sorry they are necessary. Too many of us think only of our own convenience and do not consider the inconvenience we cause to others. (3228)
Straining Vocal Cords (90/03/02)
Meal Coupons (90/03/03)
Lent (90/03/04)
I no Naka no Kawazu (90/03/05)
The Environment (90/03/06)
Coffee Shop "Yukitan" (90/03/07)
Basement Rooms (90/03/08)
Escalator (90/03/09)
The Soviet System (90/03/10)
Rainbow (90/03/11)
Sawaranu Kami (90/03/12)
Foreign Students (90/03/13)
Smile Gymnastics (90/03/14)
Andrew Jackson (90/03/15)
Asia House (90/03/16)
Leningrad Church (90/03/17)
Glorify God (90/03/18)
A Fish out of Water (90/03/19)
New Zealand/Sheep (90/03/20)
Taxi Drivers (90/03/21)
Vandyke (90/03/22)
Pakistan (90/03/23)
First Stop in Poland (90/03/24)
Salt of the Earth (90/03/25)
Ishin-Denshin (90/03/26)
Listening Closely (90/03/27)
Sen no Rikyû (90/03/28)
Talking Posters (90/03/29)
Van Gogh (90/03/30)
Train for Warsaw (90/03/31)
Space Bike (90/03/01)