A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  Many people discover a passion during childhood or adolescence. Ideally, this passion would evolve into a fulfilling career in adulthood. However, for various reasons, many individuals end up abandoning their passions instead of pursuing them further. On the other hand, if a passion remains a hobby, one can continue to enjoy it alongside their professional life and even in retirement. By dedicating years to a hobby, honing related skills and knowledge, individuals can reach new levels of expertise and experience profound emotional fulfillment. When others witness this dedication, they may view it as the individual's "ikigai," or reason for living. It is never too late to pursue one's passions and find deep satisfaction in doing what one loves.

  In physics, there exists a law known as the conservation of mechanical energy, which states that the total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant over time, even as it changes from one form to another. For instance, when an object falls from a height, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases, yet the total energy remains constant. However, our perception often fixates on kinetic energy, leading to the impression that energy levels fluctuate over time. If we were to replace this concept of energy with human potential, a similar analogy emerges. Each individual possesses a reservoir of potential ability, akin to potential energy, which can be harnessed and concentrated in specific areas to achieve results, analogous to kinetic energy or manifest ability. While everyone starts with the same potential, some excel by effectively channeling and manifesting their potential in a particular field. Nevertheless, there is a limit to the total potential ind

  “Trust in others, but believe in yourself a hundred times more” is one of the famous quotes by Japanese manga artist Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989). During his lifetime, Tezuka created over 700 manga titles, including “Astro Boy”, “Jungle Emperor”, “Firebird”, and “Black Jack”, which received high praise worldwide. This quote gives us a glimpse of his unique beliefs based on his lifetime experience. Instead of relying solely on external support, Tezuka believed that overcoming despair required being a strong shield and ally to oneself. Additionally, Mitsuo Aida (1928-1989), a Japanese poet and calligrapher, has left behind many famous sayings, one of which is “I was born into this world because there is one job in this world that only I can do.” This quote also reflects Mr. Aida's beliefs. Therefore, if we consider these two famous quotes together and make some adaptations, I could say, “I was born into this world because there is a job that only I can do. And, I firmly believe in my p

  When climbing a high mountain, constantly focusing on the distant summit can make it feel unattainable no matter how far we progress. Conversely, if we keep looking back at the ground we've covered, it becomes challenging to continue moving forward. To conquer a towering peak, maintaining a balanced physical and mental stance is crucial. It's about advancing one step at a time, at a comfortable pace, while appreciating the journey without overly stressing about the destination. Regular breaks are also vital. These principles of mountain climbing mirror the pursuit of lofty life goals. Progressing while paying attention to what's around us is like living fully in the present, and this accumulation of experiences serves as a stepping stone to our future aspirations, offering a smoother path towards them.

A person's words, reflecting the profound lessons learned from life's myriad experiences, often serve as the foundation for their evolving personality. Upon closer examination of these words, our preconceived notions about an individual can be shattered, revealing their true essence. Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998), a revered master of Japanese cinema, left behind a legacy of insightful quotes that provide a glimpse into his character through fragmented yet profound situations. "Find what you really like. Once you find it, make an effort for that important thing." "Do your best, no matter what, take a step forward, persist, and try harder. Even if you think it's no good, just keep pushing forward, and if you do that, you'll be able to break through." "Anyone can find the bad, but you can't find the good unless you sharpen your eye for it." "Humans are happiest and most joyful when they are focused and engrossed. It's wonderf

  The following is one of the famous quotes by Konosuke Matsushita (1894-1989) , the founder of Panasonic, who is said to be a great businessperson in Japan. “There are numerous paths to feeling wealthy, yet I believe that embracing gratitude is among the most enriching. When you cultivate gratitude, your heart becomes fuller, allowing you to appreciate the blessings inherent in all things, extending beyond just humanity to encompass all of the universe. Previously, when I gazed upon a solitary flower, I merely saw its surface beauty, but now I perceive a profounder allure. Thus, understanding gratitude represents a form of intangible wealth that knows no bounds, generating immense value.” As an ordinary person, I have not yet reached this state even in my later years, and I hope that once I reach this state, I will see the scenery around me differently. I want to get as close to this state as possible.

  In Japan, both 50 years ago and today, there's a prevailing belief that studying is primarily the duty of students, with less emphasis on ongoing adult education after employment. However, since life after employment lasts much longer than one's student years, adults have plenty of time to acquire practical knowledge and find opportunities to apply it in their daily lives, workplaces, and communities. In 1957, a Japanese social commentator warned about the dangers of passive television consumption, suggesting that it could diminish people's imagination and critical thinking skills, potentially leading to a decline in intellectual capacity among the population. In other words, if you passively accept arbitrarily processed secondary and tertiary information at face value, you will easily become brainwashed. This warning is still very relevant today. In order to build a better society in the future, everyone recognizes the importance of adults actively seeking out reliable i

  It appears that people often use their personal feelings, particularly those of being "helpful" or "happy," as a yardstick for assessing the worth of products and services. These feelings can vary depending on the circumstances and timing, with changes occurring either broadly across a population or being specific to a select few. Given these dynamics, it is crucial for providers of goods and services to target people during specific moments and situations, discerning what evokes the strongest feelings of "helpfulness" and "happiness." This approach is pivotal for advancing value creation. Without this provider judgment being grounded in a commitment to genuinely benefiting people and society, sustainable growth cannot be anticipated.

  In March, Japan experiences fluctuating weather patterns influenced by high pressure systems from Siberia and the Pacific Ocean. The weather often shifts between warm and winter-like conditions, creating a cycle that lasts into spring. This period is described by some as "a cycle of three cold days followed by four warm days." This weather pattern can be seen as a metaphor for life. Just as the seasons change unpredictably, life can present us with challenges and setbacks. However, by maintaining a resilient and unwavering spirit, akin to the apricot or cherry blossom tree, we can overcome these hardships. Eventually, a warm and gentle spring will arrive, and the flowers of hope and renewal will bloom once more.

  Soichiro Honda (1906-1991), the founder of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., was a junior high school graduate known for his free-spirited personality, and he has left behind many famous quotes. One of his most notable quotes is, "Each person should devote all their energy to their greatest strength, giving generously to others, while having others compensate for their weaknesses. This should be the basic principle of moral education." This quote exemplifies Mr. Honda's personality well. It is akin to the principle of comparative advantage in economics, which suggests that under free trade, each country should export the goods at which it excels (advantageous) and import the goods in which it is less proficient (inferior).  In other words, it is as if this principle were applied to individuals, likening them to countries, and connected it with the fundamentals of moral education: individuals dedicating themselves to their strengths and mutually complementing each other. This encap

  Tempu Nakamura (1876-1968), a Japanese thinker and successful businessperson, is remembered for his famous quote: “Belief is like a precious compass that guides one's life. Therefore, a life without belief is like a worn-out ship unable to embark on a long voyage.” For Tempu, belief means deeply believing in the power of one's own life and unleashing that power. As one's belief grows stronger, they can realize the incredible potential inherent in every individual. It is said that this strength manifests, leading to good health and a positive destiny. There is a story that Tempu used to look in the mirror every night before bed, affirming that his beliefs would strengthen. This illustrates the idea that age is not a barrier to increasing faith and taking action. Every day presents an auspicious opportunity for growth and self-improvement.

  Overcoming difficult experiences in life is never wasted. If we can be truly grateful that we are who we are today because of those painful experiences, we will grow spiritually as a person. The valuable lessons learned through those experiences will become one of the important guidelines for moving forward in life. Additionally, we are able to better understand the feelings of people who have gone through similar painful experiences, and we can empathize with them while offering appropriate advice based on our own experiences. This, in turn, allows us to be of help to others. If the persons receiving the advice overcome their own painful experiences and go on to give advice to others, there is a possibility that the chain of spiritual help will spread.

  In Japan, cleaning is often associated with attracting good luck. The act of decluttering and thoroughly cleaning our homes not only refreshes us but also instills a sense of anticipation for positive outcomes. While physical cleaning is beneficial, combining it with mental cleaning can enhance our luck even further. By addressing problems and issues promptly instead of postponing them, we can reduce stress. Solving problems also boosts confidence. Additionally, organizing our priorities and thoughts, and writing them down, can clarify our minds, reduce daily hesitations and worries, create more mental space, and improve interpersonal relationships. Thus, it is evident that both physical and mental cleaning, along with organization, are crucial aspects of well-being.

  There is a Japanese saying that goes, “If you're prepared, you won't have to worry.” This means that if you prepare ahead of time, you won't have to worry even if something unexpected happens. However, unexpected events can occur in life or work, and there is a saying about how to deal with such situations: “If you are in real trouble, you will find a way out,” or “There is always some way out of a difficulty if you really look for one.” This means that when things get tough and you run into trouble, unexpected avenues of success may open up. However, if you don't exercise your brain regularly, you won't be able to expect such sudden inspiration. Therefore, to deal with unexpected situations, it is important to train your brain by not shying away from solving everyday problems.

  A Japanese intellectual in the Tokugawa shogunate, Shoin Yoshida (1830-1859), said, "Those without dreams have no ideals, those without ideals have no plans, those without plans have no execution, and those without execution have no success," which is true in any era and any field.

  This morning, I drove a little farther than usual and went for a walk in a different place. As I strolled, drawing energy from the nature around me, an elderly woman in jogging clothes briskly passed me. After a short distance, she stopped and squatted down to pick up something. Curious, I approached and saw her collecting plastic bottles and other trash, putting them in a small bag, and then resuming her run. It didn't seem like she was doing this as a job; rather, I guessed that she probably voluntarily cleaned up trash around the pond every day. This realization refreshed my heart. I saw a heroine doing good deeds in a place where no one was watching. Although I wanted to call out to her, the distance between us quickly widened. Reflecting on this encounter, I realized that heroes and heroines are all around us, even in the events of our daily lives.

  The Japanese proverb "The kindness you have shown to others should be washed away, and the kindness you have received from others should be carved in stone" originates from Buddhist scriptures. This teaches us to let go of the expectation of receiving something in return for the kindness we show others, and instead, to deeply appreciate and remember the kindness we receive from others. In our busy lives, we often forget the kindness we receive and fail to recognize the invisible kindness that surrounds us. This proverb reflects a common aspect of human psychology that we struggle with daily. While understanding the proverb's meaning is important, putting it into practice requires consistent effort. If more people adopt this mindset, we can create significant positive changes in society.

  "When creating something, put your heart and soul into it." is a common phrase that has been used since ancient times in Japan, especially by craftsmen's masters to their disciples, which is now one of my favorite phrases. When I was young, those words were just knowledge and I never put them into practice seriously. It wasn't until I was around 50 years old that I first realized the true nature of those words and have been putting them into practice ever since. Needless to say, it led to a significant increase in the value of my work. From this experience, I realized that knowledge cannot become our true power unless we make full use of it in practice.

  Although the harsh winter is still continuing in Japan, plum blossoms and early-blooming cherry blossoms have begun to bloom, and the sound of spring's approach can be heard steadily, heightening anticipation for the arrival of spring. Japanese businessman Yoshiharu Fukuhara (1931-2023), once said, “As long as you are alive, spring will come.” On the other hand, another wise person famously said, “There is no winter that spring does not visit.” Personally, I simply prefer the former quote, which begins with “As long as you are alive...”, as it has more depth and persuasive power. If I were to offer advice to someone feeling hopeless about a situation in life, I would naturally choose the words, “As long as you live, spring will come.”

  There is a Japanese proverb that says, “If you don't plant in spring, you won't bear fruit in autumn.” It literally signifies that without sowing seeds or seedlings in the spring, there will be no harvest in the fall, which underscores the importance of taking action and making preparations in advance. Another saying emphasizes that success requires “80% preparation and 20% execution.” Both adages stress the significance of thorough preparation. When you have a specific target date, preparing in advance becomes a race against time to some extent. Conversely, if you are not ready to face the actual challenge or lack a target date, you might end up wasting time preparing excessively. Therefore, it is crucial to set clear goals that enable you to tackle challenges confidently. Furthermore, it is important to remain vigilant for opportunities to take on challenges. Keeping an open mind and being receptive to new possibilities can lead to growth and success.

  Even ordinary people can achieve great feats if they focus on something and continue to do it, as the Japanese proverb says, "Even dust, when piled up, becomes a mountain" (Many a little makes a mickle or Every little bit helps). For a simple and familiar example, even if we don't have the skills of a professional mountain climber, if we focus our minds and energy on climbing a relatively gentle mountain path step by step, we will often be surprised at how high we have climbed after a few hours. Additionally, as the Japanese saying goes, "Being fond of something makes one skilled at it" or "Love is what makes you good at something" (Practice makes perfect). If the proverbial "dust" in the former is something that we "like," even ordinary people can acquire knowledge and skills if they continue to do it for many years. It is possible. Of course, the time we have to do what we like in our daily life is limited, and it's importan

  When life flows smoothly, it often feels monotonous, but when things don't go according to plan, we appreciate the smooth times more. Daily life can be broadly divided into routines and non-routines. We tend to create our own routines, which leads to smoother, familiar rhythms. However, non-routine aspects often involve external factors like people, organizations, or nature, making it more likely that things won't go as planned. Despite this, there is much to learn from such challenges. By appreciating smooth times and seeing difficulties as opportunities for growth, we can maintain peace of mind. While it's not easy, cultivating this mindset is crucial for a fulfilling life.