Compassion

On the weekends I try to wake up before the dawn to take a walk along the river. I meet elderly, sometimes with their dogs. They smile and say "ohayou gozaimasu!" Even to a "gaijin." I return the greeting and feel happy to start the day this way.

One of those days, on the way back home, I noticed a board, probably written by the shop owners in the area:

Let's pay utmost attention (or let's be alert):
Small courtesy shows our compassion to others.

That is why I still like being in Japan.