A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  When visiting a temple or shrine in Japan, one may encounter a monthly slogan displayed on a bulletin board within the premises. Recently, a particular motto at a shrine I visited resonated with me: “Reflection: When you are arrogant, you will be abandoned by God. When you are greedy, you will be turned away by money. When you are jealous, you will not have friends. When you are angry, you will lose yourself.” Given the sacred setting, each word of the motto carries profound weight, touching my heart deeply. While reflections on the importance of self-assessment are often imparted by parents and teachers during childhood, as adults, we rarely encounter such reminders. Nevertheless, I believe that dedicating time to self-reflection as part of a daily routine is crucial for personal growth rooted in positive thinking.

  As May approaches, colorful flowers bloom one after another, and the young leaves grow greener with each passing day. In entering my post-retirement life, I've become increasingly sensitive to these changes in nature. I'm moved by its beauty, finding it soothing, and these changes also strongly stimulate my intellectual curiosity. It seems as if everyone becomes a poet as they grow older.

  In life, if we fail to address the problems we have caused ourselves, we risk encountering the same issues repeatedly. In such situations, it is crucial not only to solve the immediate problem but also to delve into its root cause to prevent its recurrence. This process involves identifying the cause, learning effective solutions to address it, and implementing them diligently. While these steps may appear straightforward, they require a deep level of self-awareness, as unconscious patterns of thought and behavior often underlie our problems. Therefore, it is essential to confront our inner selves, thoroughly investigate the causes of our issues, and reflect thoughtfully to break these patterns.

  In life, unique opportunities can unexpectedly present themselves, and the ability to take advantage of these moments often hinges on an individual's sense of purpose, hard work, and resilience in various life situations. Overcoming challenges and learning from experiences play crucial roles in seizing and making the most of such opportunities. The stories of many successful individuals suggest that achievements rarely stem from mere chance, but rather from a combination of determination, effort, and the ability to extract valuable lessons from setbacks and related knowledge.

  To excavate deeply into the ground with a shovel, it's necessary to start by digging a relatively wide area, encompassing the space around the intended hole. Similarly, when leveraging one's expertise to drive organizational action towards a significant goal, securing the full cooperation of organizational members is crucial, requiring a broad spectrum of insights.

  If we avoid or postpone problems that need to be solved, they generally tend to become more complicated and larger, leading to increased psychological stress. Therefore, by suppressing our worries and troublesome feelings, we should proactively face or jump into the problem. Just as one would unravel loose threads, we should clarify the facts and causes, think of an optimal solution, and quickly implement a plan to solve the problem. It is wise to solve problems at an early stage because they are less difficult to manage.

  I had expected retirement to bring a life of relaxation and comfort, yet reality has proven otherwise. Unexpected challenges arise from time to time, demanding solutions. While I often reflect on and record lessons from my past, I sometimes catch myself wanting to evade new problems in retirement, seeking to avoid unnecessary trouble. During such moments, I feel a sense of immaturity, recognizing the need to confront these challenges head-on. I remind myself that growth requires proactive engagement with new difficulties. Life, it seems, presents continual opportunities for learning, even in retirement.

  If the principle of the saying “If you want to change others, first you must change yourself” is true, then being able to control one's own emotions and problem-solving effectively is key to group functioning. This ability is a major prerequisite for excellent leadership, which can manage groups of people’s emotions and guide them toward solving social problems. Moreover, individuals with this kind of leadership can not only make themselves happy but also create happiness among those around them. Therefore, the key to building a better society lies in increasing the number of people who can govern themselves effectively, essentially increasing the number of people who excel at self-leadership.

  To truly understand the nature of things, it's crucial to examine them from various perspectives. However, even with a clear understanding of the facts, the interpretation of these facts can vary significantly from person to person, leading to differing psychological impacts based on individual perspectives. For instance, optimistic individuals tend to perceive facts in a positive light, focusing on their favorable aspects and approaching any challenges they pose with a problem-solving mindset. Conversely, those with a pessimistic outlook may dwell on the negatives, leading to psychological distress without effective problem-solving strategies. When we are exposed to biased or incomplete information, and when misinterpretations are spread without a full understanding of the facts, it can create anxiety and increase the likelihood of making serious errors in judgment. This underscores the importance of seeking a comprehensive understanding of the facts before forming solid opinion

  The well-known saying, “If you want to change another person, first you must change yourself,” is not only popular in Japan but also in many other countries. This quote implies that by changing oneself, one's relationship with others can change, leading the other person to naturally change as well. However, changing one's own thought and behavior patterns is easier said than done. Reflecting on my past experiences, there are two reasons why my thinking and behavior patterns have changed significantly. One instance is when someone pointed out my flaws, which hurt my self-esteem. I used that anger as a catalyst to independently change my behavioral patterns for the better and form new habits. Another factor is observing exemplary behavior patterns in others without being explicitly pointed out. This triggered a sense of crisis in me, leading to independent and gradual changes in my behavior patterns, which eventually became habits. While the former and the latter differ in term

  The Japanese saying "Skill will help you in times of need" can be paraphrased as "Acquiring a valuable skill in any field can support your livelihood during financial difficulties." Reflecting on my life, I've realized that childhood or teenage interests and talents, when persistently cultivated, can eventually be applied in both work and hobbies, providing psychological support and enriching life. Additionally, in Japan, the saying "Skill becomes a part of the body" emphasizes that with practice and experience, skills and talents become ingrained and enduring.

  Every individual possesses unique potential and originality that can enrich their lives and benefit society. Those who recognize and nurture these qualities early on can focus their energy and blossom beautifully, much like cherry blossoms. Conversely, individuals who struggle to realize their potential are akin to the hardened or swollen buds of cherry blossoms. With a more dedicated and focused approach, everyone has the opportunity to fully bloom, just like cherry blossoms.

  When we find ourselves feeling envious of others, we can counteract this by reflecting on our own blessings, expressing gratitude for them, and embracing the present moment to its fullest. This approach helps us avoid comparing ourselves to others. While it's natural for us, as imperfect beings, to experience moments of envy, applying this mindset allows us to shift our focus back to ourselves. Through consistent practice, we may elevate our level of consciousness, akin to ascending a spiral staircase, eventually reaching a state where envy no longer consumes us. This realization struck me today.

  I believe many people have experienced the challenge of lying awake at night due to overwhelming worries, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. I, too, have faced this struggle. Despite knowing from various sources that most of our worries never materialize, I found it challenging to accept this conceptually and apply it practically to change my mindset. However, nothing seemed to work. To cope with these worries, I developed a method that involves first identifying the root cause of the worry. Then, I break down the identified issues directly related to the cause into smaller tasks, treating them as individual problems to solve. While implementing this problem-solving approach, I often encountered feelings of anxiety and negativity, which I consciously tried to overcome by addressing each small problem calmly and independently of these negative emotions. Gradually, I found that the problems became more manageable, step by step. Moreover, I realized that dwelling on my worries b

  A revered Japanese Buddhist monk, Kukai (774-835), once said, “Going against what one hears and not taking it to heart” implies that solely accepting convenient stories or information can lead to losing sight of the truth. This trap is easy to fall into even in today's information society.

  In a world where everything unfolded predictably and devoid of failure, our learning would likely be limited, and our sense of achievement and fulfillment might be lacking. Without challenges or setbacks, we might struggle to derive meaning from our existence or living. Thus, when things deviate from our expectations or when failure becomes unavoidable, the value of our endeavors and struggles increases. It is through overcoming difficulties that we find purpose and satisfaction in our actions. Just as light gains significance in contrast to shadow, the interplay between accomplishment and failure contributes to the overall value and meaning of our existence.

  It is often said that the continuation of good behavior is essential for producing positive outcomes, and that consciously maintaining positive thoughts and emotions is key to fostering good behavior. While this concept holds true, it is challenging for imperfect humans to consistently uphold positive thoughts and feelings. Habituation, the process by which actions become automatic and unconscious, can help mitigate this challenge to a considerable extent. By forming habits of good behavior, individuals can positively influence their thoughts and emotions, leading to more consistently positive outcomes. Therefore, it is beneficial to prioritize actions along with objectives that can be turned into positive habits, maximizing their impact within the constraints of daily life. However, humans are prone to developing negative behavioral habits if they are not vigilant. To prevent this, it is crucial to cultivate a strong sense of awareness. Establishing positive behavioral habits is not