A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  Understanding something important through reading, watching, or hearing is valuable, but true comprehension and mastery often require direct experience and trial and error. Experimentation is crucial for acquiring wisdom, yet it is frequently overlooked. Those with a strong sense of curiosity actively engage in trying new things. This proactive approach not only helps in accumulating wisdom but also fosters personal growth.

  There is a Japanese proverb that says, “The stake that sticks out gets hammered down.” This means that when building a fence, any stake that sticks out longer than the others should be hammered with a mallet to make the whole pile even. This expression signifies that standing out often leads to being suppressed. It is a metaphor for Japan, a country that has historically valued organizational harmony and conformity, and those who disrupt this harmony are often criticized. However, in the contemporary Japanese business world, the phrase “A stake that sticks out too far will never be hammered in” has gained popularity. This modern interpretation suggests that if you are half-hearted or afraid of criticism, you will not achieve significant results. In other words, if you can excel far beyond the average, it will ultimately benefit society and those around you. The evaluations of others will follow later. This perspective underscores the importance of striving for mastery and excellence.

  People set goals with the noble intention of contributing to society, aspiring to achieve them. However, if these goals are accompanied by strong selfish desires or the need for public recognition, the path to achieving them can become problematic. When progress stalls, it often leads to mental turmoil, such as irritation fueled by unmet desires. Many times, we fail to recognize that this inner disturbance stems from our own desires. In such situations, meditation can be a powerful tool. It allows us to confront our inner selves and become aware of these desires. By letting go of selfish aspirations through meditation, the mental clutter is significantly reduced, making it easier to focus on our goals. I find myself at a point where I need to reconnect with my inner self once again.

  Many people reward themselves after working hard at something, allowing them to view themselves objectively and demonstrating self-care. Such individuals often exhibit compassion and a willingness to help others. It's essential to take proper care of both your body and mind as you pursue your goals. These are the fundamental resources your well-being relies on. However, remember that excessive exertion and unnecessary self-care are not advisable.

  When striving to achieve a high goal in a field where we have no experience, being acutely aware of the gap between the goal and our current position can cause unnecessary stress. This stress stems from the perception that the distance isn't closing quickly enough, leading to anxiety about whether we will ever achieve our goal. In these moments, we can greatly reduce our stress and anxiety by focusing on the steps we are currently taking to move forward. By concentrating on the present moment and our incremental progress, we can alleviate the pressure. It is crucial to believe in our potential and eliminate any room for doubt, trusting that we will reach our goal in due time. I am currently experiencing stress and anxiety about achieving my immediate goal, so this essay serves as a reminder to myself and a message I want to share with you.

  For many people, life changes dramatically before and after retirement. As a result, our perspectives and daily feelings shift significantly. Keeping a record of our thoughts, feelings, and activities before and after retiring—a major life event—can serve as a valuable reference for those who follow us into retirement. However, after living in retirement for ten years, we may forget many of our memories of the transition. Reading through records we wrote after leaving our careers, we might be surprised by our past emotions and thoughts, and even reminisce about our younger selves from a decade ago. Advice based on ten years of retirement experience is undoubtedly useful for those approaching this stage of life, as it provides a broad, macro perspective. But records of actual retirement experiences offer a detailed, micro perspective that is easy to relate to. I believe that combining the macro perspective from years of experience with the micro perspective of immediate post-retiremen

  When a company interviewed Japanese people in their 80s about their life regrets, the most common response was, “I should have studied more.” The primary reason is that with more education, they would have been able to expand their possibilities and lead a far better life. The second most common answer was, “I should have just tried what I wanted to do.” Many people struggle to take the first step toward their ambitions due to a fear of failure and end up procrastinating, which they later regret. From these top two responses, it’s clear that if we have healthy dreams and goals, including studying, it’s better to try while we can. Even if we fail, we will regret not trying more than the failure itself. Therefore, the magnitude of the risk differs depending on our age, but if we follow our inner voice and keep trying to do what we want, even if it involves some risks, we can live a life with fewer regrets.

It has been almost two years since I retired, but no matter how old I get, I still feel a bit down when I make mistakes due to my shortcomings. These moments make me feel immature as a person. However, if I view these instances of self-reflection as opportunities for self-growth, it not only helps me feel better but also reminds me of the important value that even in old age, we continue to learn significant lessons in life.

  If we cultivate a strong sense of gratitude for our current situation, we can significantly reduce our regrets. This is because many of the past failures we regret can transform into valuable lessons when we genuinely appreciate our present circumstances. As we recognize the importance of these lessons, our past failures no longer seem like failures but stepping stones to our current state of gratitude. When we achieve this mindset, a desire to live in the present with hope gradually emerges from within. We start thinking about how to live without regrets, focusing on making the most of our time. This shift in perspective leads us to put these thoughts into practice, embracing a life that values the present moment. Feeling grateful can be especially challenging when we encounter misfortune, but making gratitude a daily habit, starting with small, happy discoveries around us, can make a big difference. I strive to remember this and practice it in my own life.

  When I was promoted to middle management in an organization, I asked one of my subordinates to complete a certain task. Normally, the work would take about a week, but despite repeated reminders, it remained unfinished even after three months. To address this, I demonstrated how to complete the task within three days, setting an example for my subordinate. From this experience, I learned a valuable lesson: people may struggle to accomplish tasks even if given ample time. Therefore, from a subordinate’s perspective, it is crucial to: 1.     Choose a Fixed or Earlier Delivery Date: Proactively set a deadline by considering a certain margin and work backward from it to manage your progress. 2.     Seek Clarification and Guidance Early: If you're unable to complete the task, ask for clarification and feedback on the expected outcome from your superior as early as possible. Seek advice on how to proceed effectively. From a superior’s perspective, it is equally important to:

Incorporating beneficial or essential activities into our daily routines can significantly advance our progress toward immediate goals. By consistently engaging in these routines, we will likely see results sooner than we expect. However, a common pitfall is that monotony can lead to laziness, as our brains may become bored with repetitive tasks. To counter this, it’s beneficial to occasionally introduce activities that refresh and stimulate our minds. This variety can rejuvenate our routines, making them feel fresh and keeping us motivated. Thus, striking a balance between routine and refreshment enhances our sense of fulfillment in daily life.

  Generally speaking, as people advance in an organization, their responsibilities gradually increase, leading to more complex problems and tougher decision-making. Consequently, mental stress rises due to the constant pressure. However, upon reflecting on my working years after retirement, I realized that my daily work served as practical training for problem-solving and decision-making. This allowed me to hone my management wisdom and skills. Naturally, even if I didn't fully appreciate it at the time, these skills and wisdom have proven to be quite valuable in my post-retirement life as well. Of course, it is important not to become overconfident in our abilities and skills based on limited work experience.

  Immersing ourselves in wholesome activities to the point where we lose track of time is truly a blessing. When people concentrate deeply on a single task, their brains secrete dopamine, making them feel happy. But why does the human brain have this function? If this is programmed for the continuation and prosperity of our species, then as various issues arise with changing environments, each person must focus on the present and live moment by moment. We can imagine a narrative where each person achieves breakthroughs by tapping into their own potential, contributing to the species' continuation and prosperity. In this context, a sense of mental well-being can be seen as a reward. Conversely, when people are distracted, they are less likely to achieve such breakthroughs and feel less happy.

  We live in a delicate balance where countless elements are interconnected at both the micro and macro levels. These include our bodies and minds, human society, the Earth, and the cosmos. If any one of these elements becomes unbalanced, our lives may be in jeopardy. Thus, it is essential for us to continuously cultivate a sense of physical and mental equilibrium without bias. We must summon the courage to seek optimal solutions for issues within our capacity to adjust, using trial and error as our guide, and steer ourselves towards these solutions with purpose and care. The steps to take the helm may be slow, but this process is the shortest path.

  Regardless of the destination, visiting a place with an understanding of its history and stories can profoundly deepen our impressions compared to visiting without such knowledge. This is because viewing a place through the lens of its historical and narrative context reveals meaning in even the smallest details. While it is true that emotions can be elicited through pure sensory experience without prior knowledge, adding context and background to those emotions makes them far more meaningful and likely to be etched into our long-term memory.

  Since I retired, I've noticed for the first time the abundance of different flowers blooming in my neighborhood throughout the year. I'm often amazed by the variety of colors and shapes within the same species. During my busy life before retirement, I rarely had the mental space to pause, step outside, and admire the flowers, let alone take pictures of them. This shift in my mindset post-retirement has led to new discoveries and appreciations of nature. Recently, I've been particularly struck by the beauty and variety of hydrangeas. Before retiring, my thoughts were constantly occupied with the future, but now I find myself focusing more on the present. I'm not suggesting that one way of living is better or worse than the other, but I believe it's important to live naturally, like a river flowing, without resisting these changes in our state of mind.

  There is a unique Japanese proverb, "Iwanu ga hana," which directly translates to, "If you don't say anything, you'll remain a flower." This proverb teaches that unnecessary words can make the recipient feel uncomfortable or disappointed, potentially harming the relationship. It's a reminder that sometimes, silence akin to a flower is the best option.

  By living true to your heart and being yourself, valuing yourself and your family, and equally contributing to people and society by utilizing your abilities and skills, you will earn the trust and respect of others. Ultimately, you will achieve the highest level of self-satisfaction. This morning, I suddenly realized that I want to pursue that kind of lifestyle.

  It will soon be two years since I started my post-retirement life. During this time, I've come to strongly believe in the value of a simple life. By gradually reducing internal mental worries and unnecessary material possessions, we can minimize stress and foster a sense of tranquility. Simplicity also allows us to tap into the excitement and playfulness that make life enjoyable. Living simply not only enhances our well-being but also helps us address the various problems we encounter in life. When we maintain a state of simplicity, it becomes easier to deconstruct complex problems into manageable parts. This approach makes solving these issues more straightforward and less daunting. Thus, simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.

  Earlier today, while bending down to place some light luggage in the trunk of my car, I felt a sharp, electric-like pain in my lower back. I had strained my lower back slightly. This experience reminded me of safety slogans related to back pain at construction sites in Japan, such as, "What you do depends on your posture both mentally and physically," "Don't try to carry heavy items by yourself; have two people carry them," and "I didn't want to be friends with my back pain, but my back pain became my friend." These slogans resonated strongly with me. Fortunately, after taking a nap, I recovered about 50%.

  There are various theories, but it is said that talking to flowers can make them grow faster. On the other hand, when I look closely at photos of flowers taken by the roadside, I feel they are communicating an important message to me. Before I retired, I never thought about these things. However, as time has passed since my retirement, I feel my sensitivity to nature has become more refined. There may be some meaning behind this change in my consciousness, though I don't know what it is yet.