A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  Throughout my many years of working within an organization, I faced several demotions. As someone who consistently put in hard work, each demotion was a deeply disappointing and harsh blow, leaving me dissatisfied every time. I felt strongly that I was being punished for being a challenging presence within the organization. However, with each demotion, I sought new hopes and goals in the departments I was reassigned to and dedicated myself fully to my new roles. Over time, my feelings of shame gradually faded. Looking back on these experiences several years later, I can't help but recognize that those painful moments significantly contributed to my career development. Transforming a crisis into an opportunity in one's professional life requires maintaining one's spirit during tough times, finding potential opportunities even in adversity, and pursuing them with unwavering dedication.

  There is no single correct path in life. Each individual has their own unique journey, and there are countless paths one can take. This is especially true for life after retirement. Despite the pressure from insurance companies that try to instill fear with statements like, “If you don't do this, you won't be able to live a happy retirement,” there is no standardized path. At retirement, we have the freedom to choose a new direction and take responsibility for the path we select. Finding joy in the journey we're currently on is essential for a happy life. Ultimately, it is we who will evaluate our lives and decide if we have any regrets. The ultimate goal, therefore, is to achieve self-satisfaction in a positive sense. In Japan, a country that values harmony, tradition, and order, children are taught from a young age not to cause trouble for others. This has become a core value of Japanese culture. With this in mind, my concept of self-satisfaction naturally includes the

  In the real world, we are not provided with neatly organized problems and answers as we are in school. Instead, the ability to ask insightful and meaningful questions becomes crucial. By raising thoughtful questions and discussing them with others, we can identify important issues that need to be addressed. However, if we only focus on surface phenomena or information distorted by propaganda, our understanding of the problems can become skewed. To truly grasp the essence of issues, it is important to identify and address fundamental questions through careful hypothesis testing. This process enhances our critical thinking skills, insight, and creativity. By cultivating these abilities, we can foster personal growth. In essence, asking healthy and insightful questions in the real world is a pathway to self-improvement and contributes to the development of a better society.