A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  Incorporating elements of play into our work can make it much more enjoyable. The type of playfulness I'm referring to feels exciting, like a game, and often leads to the creation of new value and breakthrough problem-solving methods. For instance, I once had the opportunity to launch an in-house venture at my workplace. Although the responsibility was significant and the pressure intense, my longstanding interest in ventures fueled a sense of excitement that outweighed the stress. Despite the challenge of forging a new path, the experience was immensely rewarding. Possessing the talent and ability to find playful enjoyment in any task is an invaluable skill for leading a fulfilling life. When we adopt an observational perspective that highlights the fun, intriguing ideas such as “What would happen if I did this?” or “What would happen if I combined this and that?” naturally emerge. By experimenting with these ideas, we can see direct results, akin to a game that children enjoy.

  It's easy to come up with an idea and clearly express my feelings and thoughts from the depths of my heart. However, even if I listen to someone else's ideas and believe I fully empathize with and understand them, when I try to use those ideas as a reference to write down my own thoughts, it often becomes difficult to generate new ideas. This suggests that the thoughts I seem to empathize with are not truly my own. An honest heart can see through the mind's attempts to improve appearances with techniques. While we can fool our brains with autosuggestion, we cannot deceive our hearts and conscience.

  When a task is difficult, we attempt it many times, gradually getting closer to our goals despite repeated failures. This process of trial and error requires a lot of effort. However, once the goal is achieved, this journey becomes significant and valuable as a successful experience. If we rely too heavily on AI for this trial-and-error process, the act of deep thinking may become extremely tedious. This excessive dependence on AI could potentially be more harmful than the lack of physical exercise resulting from overreliance on cars.

  How a company allocates and invests its limited management resources and time in addressing short-term, medium-term, and long-term issues to obtain effective returns through daily corporate activities mirrors the challenges in our individual lives. This management principle is equally applicable to everyday life. In essence, each of us is our own owner and manager. Consider what kind of returns you wish to achieve within the various constraints of your personal life. What life resources and time should you invest to realize those returns? Just as in business, strategies, plans, and operational processes are essential. To be satisfied with the returns from implementing these principles, we must all strive to be good owner-managers of ourselves as well as loyal and effective employees of our own lives. By comparing the way we live as individuals to the management of a business, our perspective broadens, allowing us to better navigate and balance our personal and professional endeavors.

  When we confront problems directly, without running away or procrastinating, we can prevent them from becoming bigger or more complicated. This proactive approach makes problem-solving easier. To develop the mindset of facing challenges head-on, it is crucial to be ready to take full responsibility for resolving them ourselves. People often have a tendency to avoid problems, especially in their post-retirement lives, where the desire to enjoy a stress-free existence can be strong. This reluctance to face issues can hold them back. However, as long as we are alive, we will inevitably encounter various problems and learn from them. If we recognize the inherent value in facing problems, we can approach them with greater readiness. While this is easier said than done, practicing this mindset can lead to a more fulfilling and easier life.

  Everyone grows old someday, even if they don't like it. While I have not yet been acutely aware of the aging process, I know there will come a time when I will experience it firsthand. I recall an encounter from 7 or 8 years ago that profoundly impacted me. I met a couple who had moved to a rural town and started a blueberry farm after the husband retired. What this man told me left a deep impression, and I often reflect on his words. He shared his story: "When I was in my 60s, I believed my physical strength and mental abilities would not decline significantly and that I could maintain them for a long time. However, since turning 70, my physical strength and mental acuity have suddenly diminished. I'm uncertain how much longer I can continue working as a blueberry farmer." I am sure that when I reach 70, I will have a similar awareness of my own aging and feel old. However, like that man, I believe that despite the various limitations aging brings, I will live my l

  When our ability to think creatively and freely increases, we often break through the barriers of unconscious limitations, opening up more options and making it easier to solve problems and achieve our goals. To enhance our creativity, it is essential to practice generating ideas continuously on a daily basis. As a practical exercise, I recommend developing the habit of setting aside time each day with a piece of paper and a pencil. Choose a subject of your own and brainstorm alone. If you commit to this practice for a few years, you will undoubtedly see a significant difference.

  When we focus on a specific task, incorporate it into our daily routine, and continuously make improvements through creativity and ingenuity, we will be amazed by the progress we see after a few years. It's like climbing a mountain step by step without stopping, and then looking back hours later to see the majestic world below and the beautiful scenery along the way. Indeed, persistence is powerful.

  Although it is impossible in reality, if the world were filled with flowers, the beauty of young, bright-green leaves might stand out even more, appearing even more striking. We often perceive beauty through relative comparisons, and our appreciation for ephemeral and rare things tends to be heightened. Examples include the shining stars in the dark night sky and dreams that are difficult to realize.

  Yesterday, after finishing some errands in the area, I stopped by my previous workplace for a short visit. My former colleagues and my successor shared that the business I had meticulously prepared for its launch is now starting to take off. They mentioned that they are able to create new materials using the numerous resources I had developed back then. Their words of gratitude were abundant, expressing how extremely helpful my work had been. Hearing firsthand how something I had poured my heart and soul into was now flourishing and benefiting others filled me with immense joy. It has been almost two years since I left that job, but this experience reminded me that my efforts were indeed worthwhile. The work you are currently dedicating yourself to might soon blossom and bear fruit, or it might happen long after you’ve moved on. Therefore, always maintain a long-term perspective and keep putting in the effort, as your dedication will eventually be rewarded.

  Physically, the flow of time may be an illusion, but since we feel time passing moment by moment, we have no choice but to live in the direction in which time moves. It is natural, therefore, that our eyes and mouth face forward. When we consider the time axis of past, present, and future, we can revisit the past as many times as we like in our minds. Similarly, we can think about the future as much as we wish. However, the present moment is fleeting. When we are fully engaged and absorbed in something, our consciousness exists in the present moment, a series of moments, and the sense of fulfillment we experience arises only from that moment. Conversely, when we are anxious, our consciousness oscillates between the past and the future, seldom lingering in the present moment. The only way to eliminate or reduce anxiety is to concentrate on identifying the cause and solution within the current moment sequence, then resolve it in the subsequent present moments. When viewed this way, we

  I'm embarrassed to admit that for the first time since retiring, I've become keenly aware of the vast array of flower types. About a year ago, I began sharing photos of flowers I casually captured each day on X. I've developed a habit of instinctively approaching and photographing flowers with my smartphone whenever I encounter them outdoors. While it feels somewhat personal to mention, this experience has underscored for me how people's perspectives, interests, and behaviors can change as their circumstances change. Conversely, if you desire to alter your thinking and behavior, one effective method is to change your environment or circumstances, for better or for worse. In Japan, there's a saying that suggests one's position and environment shape a person, and my experience aligns with this sentiment.

  Through successful experiences, people hone their confidence, intuition, and skills, gain peace of mind, and become more willing to take on challenges. Conversely, experiencing failure teaches us valuable lessons, enhances our understanding of the truth and meaning of things, improves our ability to empathize with others, and sharpens our sense of danger to avoid repeating mistakes. Both success and failure are thus crucial for personal growth. As the saying goes, "Failure is the key to success." By persisting until we succeed, failure becomes a stepping stone toward success. Fear of failure may prevent us from taking on challenges, but it also limits our potential for great success and personal growth, leading to missed opportunities.

  The more we confront our inner selves and contemplate the true nature of things, the more we can uncover answers that are uniquely ours. Initially, these answers may seem simple, yet they possess the power to resonate deeply with others. Throughout history, individuals have sought such well-considered answers, and thus, introspection and the pursuit of truth serve to connect us with those around us. In this light, one could argue that our individuality, when explored deeply, enriches our relationships with others. I would like to further explore this topic.

  Melody, harmony, and rhythm are widely regarded as the three fundamental elements of music, collectively creating harmonious compositions that can have a profoundly positive impact on individuals and society. Personally, I find my daily morning walk to be a valuable routine that leaves me feeling both physically and mentally fulfilled. This routine seems to stabilize my autonomic nervous system, stimulate my thoughts and memories, enhance my sense of unity with my surroundings, and regulate my body's sense of rhythm. Given that the smallest elementary particles composing human beings exhibit wave-particle duality, it is understandable why balanced waves, like harmonious combinations of music elements, are crucially important for humans in their daily lives.

  We are often drawn to things that are rare and expensive, believing that their value reflects our own worth. However, true happiness is more likely to be found in our daily lives rather than in possessions that are expensive or elusive. By observing our surroundings closely, we can easily identify things within our reach. Therefore, it is crucial to establish our own standards of value, unaffected by market prices or others' judgments, to find fulfillment in life.

  When I review the short essays I've written in the past, I notice a mix of well-written pieces and others that are less polished. Regardless of their quality, each essay reflects the effort I've put into generating ideas and finding inspiration. I've realized that by simply changing the perspective and expression of these essays, I can enhance their value significantly. The most challenging aspect of creation, whether it's writing or any other form of art, is the initial spark of inspiration. To ensure that this valuable resource is not wasted, I've adopted a practice of revisiting my work after six months or a year. This allows me to reassess its worth and often discover new ways to improve it. Engaging in this process has taught me the importance of creativity and experimentation. By being open to new perspectives and approaches, We can continuously refine our work and push ourselves to new creative heights.

  Just as cleaning and organizing your physical space can bring clarity and reduce stress, so too can cleaning and organizing your mind. This process involves filtering out unnecessary information, noting down essential tasks and thoughts, organizing them systematically, and ultimately clearing your mind for better focus. By creating a comfortable and functional mental space, you can significantly reduce stress. Additionally, prioritizing and taking action on important tasks can enhance your productivity and leave you feeling more fulfilled.

  There is a Japanese proverb that states, "The more a wisteria flower grows downwards, the more people will look up at it because they notice that it is a beautiful flower." This proverb exemplifies the idea that the more humble persons are, the more respect they will garner for their character. Humility has long been valued as a virtue in Japanese culture. However, as globalization has advanced in recent years, some Japanese opinion leaders have begun to view humility negatively. They argue that it hinders the development of self-confidence among the Japanese people, which is contrary to what I expected.