There is one beautiful word in Japanese that also exists in other languages, which I really love, called Ongaeshi-suru (恩返しする), or its literal meaning in English, ‘returning a favor’. The word itself is nothing special in terms of linguistics - it’s a commonly known word that can easily be understood by anyone. The word is not regularly spoken as part of normal speeches, rather it is an act of kindness done out of sincerity, with no expectation of receiving back what was given.
The word somewhat feels slightly lighter than the word ‘sacrifice’, as in the sacrifice of one man for another, or for all the other men. It carries the same level of resolution but appears in a form that is more easily accepted - a lite version of kindness, a subtle way of showing affection. It is a way of doing something for someone else without any mutual reasons, simply just to put a smile on their face and let them get back on their feet.
While we are all walking on a thin slice of ice, some may make it across this thin icy lake and meet their happiness on the other side. But most slip, some fall hard, and others push their steps too hard breaking the ice beneath them. Some carry baggage too heavy for the ice layer to bear. While falling, some may bring down all the people around them, but some will quietly drown, leaving no trace for the world, thinking they should not have been saved in the first place.
In all cases, I wouldn’t let you drown if I were there. I would break my back to get to you, I would hold your hand, and if I ever slipped, I would reach you again. We will recover together, and once we get better, we will cross this icy lake again, together. And if I happen not to be there, just shout my name and I will show up running to pull you out. I don’t need you to do the same for me. I just think that each of us deserves the right to be happy. So, don’t give up on reaching my hand, and let’s cross this thin slice of life together.