Every Encounter is a Treasure

Starting my second year at university, I have found myself surrounded by many wonderful people, including friends and seniors. At this stage of my life, I have come to realize the importance of every encounter, from meaningful relationships with close friends to brief interactions with people I may meet only once, such as cashiers. Every encounter has the potential to mean something to us, even if we do not realize it at the time. In this article, I would like to share my thoughts on why every encounter matters and why we should value them.

What Made Me Realize the Importance of Encounters 

The experience that made me truly realize the importance of the encounter was a reunion with my former classmates and teachers. Before entering university, I attended an international school in another country. At the reunion dinner, I met my old classmates and a teacher that I deeply respected for the first time in a year. 

Although it was just a simply fun dinner, I noticed that we could interact comfortably and felt connected in a way that was different from when we were still in the same high school class. This experience made me realize that even relationships that did not seem particularly close or deep in the past could become more meaningful over time. As long as we do not completely lose touch with one another, there is always a possibility that our relationships will grow in unexpected ways. 

Since then,  I have come to appreciate the importance of keeping in touch with people I have met throughout life. We never know how our relationships with others might develop in the future, and even a seemingly ordinary connection may eventually become something special.

The Japanese Saying “一期一会”

In Japanese, there is a saying, 一期一会 (ichigo ichie), which express the idea that “every encounter is a treasure”. Although I had known this saying since my childhood, I had never fully understood the depth of its meaning and perspective it provides. 

Having grown up and moved between different countries, I have met countless people, including some I may never meet again but will stay in my memory forever. Through these experiences,  I have come to realize what a remarkable, miraculous coincidence it is for people to meet at a particular place and time on this massive planet, with its long history. 

After realizing it, I have finally understood how meaningful and important the saying ichigo ichie is and why every encounter is actually a unique treasure. I am glad that I learned this saying when I was young, and now that I understand its meaning more deeply, I want to continue keeping it in my mind throughout my life.

How I Want to Apply This Realization to My Future

I believe that it is fortunate to have understood how valuable every encounter can be. Human life is finite, and we are all part of a world with a history far longer than our own lifetimes. Countless people have lived before us, in which we will never know they existed. In this large world, the fact that we are alive at the same time as the people around us, and that we have the opportunity to meet them, is something I do not want to take for granted. 

Moving forward, I do not want to forget that every encounter is a great appreciation, regardless of how long or short the interaction may be. I also hope to share this realization with others and encourage them to appreciate the people they meet in their daily lives. 

Thank you for reading my thoughts  on the importance of every encounter. I hope this article has encouraged you to reflect on the people you have met and the connections you have made, even if only for a moment. If it inspires you to appreciate just one encounter a little more, I would be happy to know that my words made a difference. 

• college
• encounters
• friendships
• relationships