A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

Since retiring, I've dedicated time to writing short essays. Initially, ideas flowed effortlessly, drawn from a lifetime of experiences and reading. However, about a year and a half into this endeavor, I hit a creative roadblock. The well of new ideas dried up, marking my first struggle as a creator. When feeling stuck, I often pressure myself to "write," carelessly adding stress that solidifies a stagnant framework in my mind. Consequently, this mental frame resembles a dry sponge—no matter how much I wring it out, fresh ideas fail to materialize, leaving me anxious. During such times, I've discovered that breaking free from this mental confinement is crucial to generating new ideas. Instead of fixating solely on the short essay, exploring external information and diverse perspectives, engaging with nature, or embracing others' ideas often sparks new thoughts. Essentially, expanding my mental framework and creating room for new ideas becomes essential to surmount

Naturally, when others treat us kindly, it sparks joy within and a desire to reciprocate that kindness either to them or others. This human reaction might be rooted in trust and forms an unseen chain of positive emotions that plays a role in maintaining social order and stability. It's within our hearts to either strengthen or break this chain, as both actions are closely linked. Therefore, it's crucial to overcome our negative emotions and cultivate spiritual strength, fostering a sacred and healthy sentiment to prevent our feelings from turning destructive. To achieve this, it might be beneficial for us to spend more time daily connecting with our inner selves in a way that suits them.

Prior to my retirement, my days were consumed by work, leaving me little opportunity to immerse myself in nature's beauty. I did manage to steal moments during my days off to refresh, yet the demands of work often hindered my ability to consciously appreciate the subtle changes in nature. It has now been a year and a half since I retired, and I've begun to discern and deeply appreciate the magnificent nature’s transformations in seasons. My gratitude for nature has grown significantly. Recently, I've found immense joy in observing the daily evolution of sunsets. These sunsets reveal varying colors influenced by climate conditions, particularly humidity and temperature. Notably, when the atmosphere holds a substantial amount of water vapor, relatively shorter-wavelength yellow and orange light becomes diffused, allowing red light to be more perceptible to the human eye. In Japan, during the transition from autumn to winter, the reduced moisture in the air restricts the movem

In the pursuit of any objective, the detailed visualization of the state upon goal attainment holds immense significance. This practice engenders excitement, fostering a strong belief in the attainability of the goal. Simultaneously, delving deeper into this visualization allows for the creation of a comprehensive plan, encompassing a structured timeline. This deliberate visualization process stands distinct from mere daydreaming, as it entails confronting reality directly and formulating a strategic course of action by vividly envisaging the moment of accomplishment. While the act shares similarities, its essence lies in purposefully envisioning the pinnacle of achievement to steer towards concrete goals. Presently, I'm refining my vision for a not-so-distant future goal, finding immense joy in the process devoid of external pressures.

While browsing the internet, I stumbled upon quotes attributed to Ryokan Ara (1928-2019), a notable figure as an archbishop of Tendai Buddhism. One particular quote immediately captured my attention: “It doesn't turn out the way you thought, but it turns out the way it was done.” This quote, in essence, encapsulates the profound nature of life. Individuals are born and nurtured in diverse circumstances as guided by fate, yet, in most instances, each person is granted the same opportunity to shape their destiny through their choices and actions. Life rarely unfolds as planned; however, the outcomes tend to be equitable for everyone who takes action. Intrigued by this renowned quote, I felt a desire to delve deeper into Ryokan Ara's life and teachings.

In any era, accurately understanding the present circumstances and making informed decisions relies on gathering dependable information from diverse perspectives and relying on personal knowledge and experiences. Consequently, obtaining essential knowledge, applying it practically, and cultivating a habit of thoughtful consideration is advantageous. Essentially, it's crucial to empower individuals to convert necessary life knowledge into the wisdom required for decision-making and action-taking. This becomes increasingly critical amidst the overwhelming influx of conflicting information.

Individuals who have confronted numerous challenges, experienced both painful failures and joyful successes before retirement, are better equipped to embark on new pursuits and realize their dreams after retiring. Retirement marks a significant life transition, and to ensure a fulfilling post-retirement life, it is crucial for us to actively embrace challenges and glean lessons from both failures and successes prior to retirement. These experiences, rich in knowledge and wisdom, equip us with the ability to comprehend the overarching structure of challenges and anticipate future progress to a certain extent, thereby enriching our lives post-retirement. Consequently, focusing on the present moment paves the way for the future, leaving no room for dwelling on the past.

Developing a unique style is essential for progress in any field. However, achieving this distinctive identity often entails a prolonged phase of trial and error. Particularly when initially attempting to emulate successful models, navigating unfamiliar territory can be challenging, leading to frustration and the temptation to abandon our pursuit of growth. Even after surpassing this initial phase, the journey continues with ongoing trial and error. At the heart of this iterative process lies the frequent testing of each hypothesis. Equally crucial is maintaining a vigilant awareness, staying attuned to changes in our situation while formulating these hypotheses. As we accumulate a body of results, our individuality emerges through this process of trial and error. Ultimately, this journey leads to the establishment of our unique style, becoming a driving force for advancement to a higher level. Until that point, perseverance and unwavering passion remain vital.

Consistently engaging in activities we passionately enjoy over extended periods enhances our expertise and propels us toward significant achievements in our respective fields. This progression not only boosts internal trust, confidence, and personal fulfillment but also fortifies external relationships when these pursuits involve interactions with others. Consequently, strengthening trust externally amplifies the internal benefits. This cycle of building trust within and outside ourselves enriches our lives. Therefore, the persistent pursuit of healthy objectives, coupled with unwavering belief, while overcoming mental obstacles that impede continuity, remains crucial in fostering this trust and fulfilling our lives.

For Japanese samurai who could serve their lord, the concepts of 'death' and 'life' coexisted intimately. Their mental preparation to confront death with unwavering grace and composure, knowing it could arrive at any moment, was integral. This preparation, aimed at embracing 'death,' involved the deliberate shedding of attachment to 'life' through rigorous training. The famous expression 'Bushido means dying' encapsulates this journey towards liberation from the trappings of 'life'. Paradoxically, as they readied themselves for 'death,' samurai experienced a heightened sense of vitality. This profound acceptance of mortality allowed them to channel their entire essence into living fully in the present. Their way of life was a testament to its purity and beauty. Reflecting on my own life, I've comprehended this concept intellectually but failed to truly internalize it. However, with age, its significance resonates more deeply.

Feeling a sense of accomplishment often results in increased self-confidence. Accomplishment is achieved by overcoming the inherent feelings of fear and anxiety presented by challenges. Viewing it in this manner, the level of self-confidence appears to align with that of self-control in a direct relationship. The more adept we become at controlling ourselves, the greater our internal self-assurance grows. Leaders who possess strong self-confidence are more inclined to earn external trust from their followers, aiding them in managing challenges more effectively. Once again, considering this perspective, self-control or self-management directly correlates to the control or management of larger groups. Therefore, the self-control that originates from within must be practiced in a healthy manner to foster and uphold a better society.

Whether we like it or not, the conclusion of one journey (chapter) in life signifies the commencement of the next. Throughout each journey, if we embrace living fully or remain anchored in the present with a strong commitment to life, we gather a spectrum of experiences. From these experiences, we learn significantly, contributing to our personal growth. Simultaneously, we foster genuine connections with our fellow journey companions and uphold positive relationships with those we encounter along the way. As one journey concludes, we can carry forward these intangible yet valuable spiritual assets into the next, augmenting the essential resources necessary for a fulfilling life.

When the location changes, the natural scenery undergoes a transformation. Similar to the perception that the grass is greener on the other side, the natural landscapes of a different country often appear more captivating than those of one's homeland at first glance. However, in truth, nature holds its beauty and radiance universally across all places. Recognizing this universal allure is pivotal in enriching our lives.

Even among compatriots, navigating numerous highs and lows becomes essential for fostering deeper mutual understanding and nurturing robust, genuinely trustworthy relationships. Extending this dynamic to individuals from diverse countries or groups, bridging gaps in language, culture, customs, and values isn't entirely insurmountable. Yet, achieving this demands a steadfast commitment to independence along with a significant investment of determination, energy, and time from both sides. Successful navigation of these challenges undoubtedly unveils new horizons for growth and connection.

Regarding the advantages of cleaning, it's often highlighted that it alleviates stress, enhances focus on tasks, promotes cleaner air in the room—beneficial for health—reduces time spent searching for things, and curbs unnecessary shopping. Specifically addressing stress, the repetitive motions involved in cleaning trigger the release of serotonin, the "happy hormone," which helps in stress reduction. Furthermore, the post-cleaning sense of refreshment stems from the production of dopamine in the brain, hindering stress accumulation. Despite our awareness of these benefits, the act of cleaning can still pose challenges. To address this, instead of attempting to clean the entire house in one go, a more effective approach could be focusing on a specific area. By setting smaller cleaning goals and concentrating efforts on one zone, a sense of achievement can be gained. This accomplishment can then serve as motivation to proceed to the next area, gradually creating a habit. T

Trying new things in daily life can be quite troublesome. This is because, unless it's urgent, it feels like a hassle. To make this "troublesome" aspect less of a chore, consider imagining doing it, then set a small goal and start working on it. Once initiated, familiarity grows, and the mental barrier of "it's a pain" decreases for future attempts. If it's worthwhile, it's best to develop it into a habit as much as possible, suppressing the idea that it's bothersome, and performing it automatically. Similarly, we easily fall into habits of negative thinking based on the ego, which then manifest in our actions. In such cases, applying self-suggestions through self-talk or mantras helps suppress the consciousness of "I" and execute positive actions unconsciously. By forming habits in our thoughts and actions, allowing good deeds to become automatic, we enhance life's fulfillment.

When we imagine ourselves in ten years, we see how young we are now. If we don't make the most of today, we might regret it later. But it's not helpful to keep thinking about who we were ten years ago and feeling sorry about it. If we regret something, it's okay as long as we learn from it and use that experience in the future. That way, when we think back to ourselves ten years ago, we'll feel good knowing we tried our best then. Even if we have regrets, if we believe we did our best, we won't feel as bad and can focus on enjoying today. This shows us how important it is to live in the moment, whether we're thinking about the present from the future or looking back on the past from now.

Adventure isn't solely about monumental achievements. It encompasses individual experiences that involve tackling new challenges. Consider a baby's first attempts at waddling or taking a few unsteady steps—they represent adventures in their own right. Similarly, trying a disliked meal or delving into a new field of study, or working at a new job constitutes an adventure. Engaging in such undertakings allows people to broaden their horizons, expand their list of activities, bolster self-assurance, nurture relationships, and lead more fulfilling lives. As we age, there's a tendency to shy away from new experiences, yet embracing even minor challenges enables us to retain a youthful mentality.

During my carefree daily walks, I often observe that the landscape along the same path appears distinct, offering a renewed sense of freshness and leading to new, small discoveries when I retrace my steps. This phenomenon stems from a simple reason: the varying perspectives obtained from different angles. The line of sight during the outbound walking versus the return walking differs by 180 degrees. Similarly, venturing abroad and encountering diverse cultures, values, societies, lifestyles, climates, and topographies can alter how we perceive our own country. It widens our perspective and enhances our capacity for critical thinking.

Without ceaseless exploration, whether in the realms of the unseen or the visible yet unnoticed by humans, new discoveries and inventions crucial to expanding our activities within the confines of this three-dimensional physical world would remain unattainable. This journey of imaginative exploration starts within ourselves, gradually manifesting an image of a new discovery or invention until it becomes distinctly visible and then translates into external reality. Those at the forefront of this expedition may perceive it while others may not, yet the latter can later benefit from its outcomes. Consequently, it's evident that the role of pioneers or visionary leaders with good will and faith holds immense significance, particularly in today's tumultuous world where glimpsing the future is a difficult task.

Failure offers invaluable lessons that success often cannot provide. Yet, individuals who neglect to gather wisdom from their failures risk continuing them, burdened by the weight of past mistakes. Failure uniquely unveils the vulnerabilities and resilience inherent in the human spirit. Paradoxically, embracing failure as a profound teacher might lead to discovering paths to happiness. Undoubtedly, success frequently emerges from the ashes of failure.

Since the dawn of humanity, an undisputed truth remains: true understanding often requires direct experience. This fundamental principle underlines the significant disparity in knowledge and skills acquired through learning, hinging on the presence, absence, or nature of the experiences themselves—varying greatly in their quality and quantity. The depth of experience substantially diverges concerning input, processing, memory, output, and feedback of information, whether limited to sight and hearing or encompassing all five senses. This distinction remains a certainty. However, in realms beyond the scope of our senses, experience loses its significance. In these cases, employing imagination, formulating hypotheses, utilizing sensory equipment, and understanding processes become imperative for comprehension. In this context, human progress in the domains of science and technology hinges upon our ability to employ imagination to supplement the unattainable experiences. It's through t

While taking an evening walking, I encountered charming pampas grasses lining the pedestrian path. This sight reminded me of a poem by Mitsuo Aida, a renowned Japanese poet and calligrapher: "The withered pampas grasses remain beautiful, having lived their lives to the fullest." Aida was often associated with Zen poetry, and this poem echoes his philosophical essence. It's undeniably true that at times, we're deeply moved by the inner beauty emanating from individuals who exert themselves diligently. Furthermore, it's undeniable that someone who has had a long and challenging life can exude a beauty akin to that of the pampas grass.

In any profession, the wisdom shared by individuals who have conquered immense challenges can be truly inspiring. In the realm of mountain climbing, the popular phrases of these remarkable individuals often stem from their reactions upon witnessing breathtaking vistas inaccessible to ordinary climbers, as well as the extensive paths they've climbed. The insights I've gained from my experiences, while perhaps not reaching the heights witnessed by these great figures from mountain peaks, hold significance. Despite this disparity, there exists an aspiration to attain a mastery akin to these respect personalities, to understand their journeys. However, the majority may not embark on such a pursuit, yet this doesn't diminish its value. Instead, the value lies not solely in the distance covered, but in the meaning and significance found in each individual step taken. True happiness doesn't necessitate comparison with the achievements of great individuals.

Since I began sharing Japanese values, culture, and thoughts rooted in ancient times on social media, I have had more opportunities to instantly search for various things about Japan on the internet. Each time I engage in these searches, I become acutely aware of my limited knowledge about Japan. In this sense, the act of introducing Japan transforms into a personal journey of discovering my roots, prompting a deeper reflection on my inner self. Much like how teaching leads to learning, the process of introducing Japan facilitates a continuous process of self-discovery.

Simply put, pure ice, being an aggregate of pure H2O with no containing impurities such as air bubbles or chlorine, is "transparent, hard, and hard-to-melt ice" since each crystal is arranged regularly. Impurities have good heat conductivity, and the more impurities there are, the more easily the ice will melt. Pure ice is completely tasteless and odorless, which can bring out the natural flavor of food and drinks without sacrificing their taste. Although it's easier said than done, excellent managers might be those who, like pure ice, run an organization by making the most of the characteristics of their team members, without prejudice or preconceptions.

Tomorrow's worries can be deferred until tomorrow; there's no need to worry now. Instead, wake up earlier than usual tomorrow morning and address the root cause of your concerns. In my case, the next morning, I was so focused on problem-solving that I had no time to worry. After experiencing this a few times, you'll realize there's no need to fret about the next day the day before, allowing you to make the most of the present day. If, on Monday morning, you start work an hour and a half earlier than usual, you can significantly alleviate the impact of Blue Monday. While it varies based on an individual's biorhythm, early mornings are often very conducive to efficient work.

Growing old naturally shifts our focus towards the present and the immediate future, as opposed to dwelling on the past or contemplating the long-term future. Directing our attention to the present allows us to appreciate what is right in front of us and the often-overlooked aspects that escape our notice, contributing to a sense of time slipping away unnoticed. Moreover, as we age, our interest tends to gravitate towards simpler and lighter aspects rather than elaborate and voluminous ones. This inclination proves beneficial for both our physical and mental well-being. It's not until we ourselves reach old age that we truly comprehend the emotions and perspectives of the elderly or retired individuals. However, this phase of life is arguably the prime period to delve into the profound depths of existence and savor its richness.

When you're alone, you have the freedom to go wherever you want under conditions that allow you to be the leader of yourself and to be on your own. If you are in an organization as a leader, you have less freedom, and if you don't invest a significant amount of energy into the organization, you won't be able to reach your desired destination. If everyone in the organization aligns with the same vector and unites, you can collectively achieve much more than if you were alone. When you are alone, the grass of an organization tends to look greener. Conversely, when you are part of an organization, an individual's grass may seem greener. It's crucial not to envy others' positions, have no hesitation in the role you have chosen in line with your set destination, believe in it, and give your best effort.

People have been intuitively swayed by fear and greed since time immemorial, a phenomenon that remains unchanged in the present day. In fact, information technology appears to exacerbate these tendencies. For the continued survival and growth of human beings, both righteous fear and proper desire are unquestionably essential. Speaking of greed or desire, for instance, the absence of pure and appropriate desire would have prevented the construction of the civilization we have today. Conversely, the presence of greedy desire has led to the destruction of civilizations. Similarly, human history is marked by a cycle of building, destruction, and rebuilding. Drawing lessons from this historical pattern, it becomes paramount to enhance the education of the mind to effectively manage emotions, particularly fear and desire.

Today, the media is flooded with sensational and negative information, stirring up people's anxiety. When faced with such information, whether it is true or based on disinformation, we can't avoid feeling depressed. If the information is negative and supported by solid evidence, it would be wise to identify the issues causing anxiety, understand the overall structure, and seek solutions. This approach helps us explore what we can do as individuals and, if necessary, quietly implement those solutions. On the other hand, if the information is likely disinformation, it's better to step away and engage in more positive activities. In both cases, maintaining a positive mindset and effective coping mechanisms are crucial for a healthy life. In these days, the importance of increasing information literacy cannot be overstated.