A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  If we occasionally reflect on our daily actions and outcomes, using our analytical abilities to explore why things turned out the way they did, we can uncover unexpected insights. These discoveries, born from personal experience, become practical wisdom we can apply in the future. Even a small piece of such wisdom carries weight when shared with others, as it stems from lived reality and resonates more deeply. Sharing this wisdom also enhances its social value. Over time, accumulating these insights can lead to a more fulfilling life. Many ordinary people who excel in areas like speaking, listening, cooking, cleaning, music, or gardening have gained their skills through this kind of experiential learning, often influencing those around them—consciously or not—with the wisdom they’ve gathered.

  When I was a child in Japan, there was a strong societal tendency to correct naturally left-handed children to become right-handed. As a result, left-handed students were extremely rare in my school classrooms. One reason for this was the everyday inconvenience faced by left-handed individuals. For instance, the stroke order and writing style of Japanese scripts—such as kanji and hiragana—are designed for right-handed writing. Using the left hand often results in awkward letter forms and lower evaluations from teachers. Because of this, I was made to write with my right hand in elementary school, though I vaguely remember disliking the experience. Common tools like scissors and can-openers are also designed primarily for right-handed use, making life even more inconvenient for left-handed people. Today in Japan, the practice of forcing children to switch hands has declined significantly, thanks in part to findings in neuroscience. In my case, however, the correction may have work...

  Sometimes, coming up with a good idea is harder than expected. When I first committed to writing one short essay a day, I assumed it would be easy to overcome the challenge. But as time went on, I realized that no matter how hard I tried to brainstorm alone, inspiration didn’t always arrive on cue. On some days, I couldn’t help but feel that my biorhythms or physical condition were affecting my brain’s ability to generate ideas. Conversely, when my mind is in good shape, ideas often come one after another. In those moments, if I jot them down and write a few essays in advance, I can build a stockpile. This not only eases the daily pressure but also gives me peace of mind and helps me focus more effectively. More broadly, while stockpiling things we rarely use can create stress, having a ready supply of useful items—like short essays—can offer mental support, improve concentration, and lead to better results.

  If you boldly let go of unnecessary items in your home, avoid impulse purchases, and care for the things you truly need, you’ll reduce distractions and stress. Being surrounded by items you love makes it easier to focus and achieve better results. Similarly, by developing the habit of addressing small tasks and worries immediately—without procrastination—you can clear mental clutter and direct your energy toward positive, meaningful priorities. This, too, leads to improved outcomes.

  It has been nearly three years since I retired. During this time, I’ve taken on entirely new challenges as fulfilling hobbies and part of my social contribution. With no prior experience in any of these fields, I’ve faced countless obstacles and overcome them through trial and error. What I’ve learned from these post-retirement experiences is this: if we devote the same or similar energy to meaningful activities as we once did to our jobs, we can rediscover a sense of purpose. This helps us avoid the sense of emptiness that can follow retirement and instead enjoy fulfilling, purposeful days.

  We can often look back on past hardships and calmly explain how we made it through. However, that advice may not necessarily help someone who is currently in the midst of their own desperate struggle. This is because the mental state of someone facing a challenge now is very different from that of someone reflecting on a past experience—and each person’s hardship is unique. Even if we've overcome many difficulties and learned valuable lessons, we’re likely to struggle again when faced with a major obstacle in an unfamiliar field. While past experiences can build confidence and mental resilience, they don’t always translate directly to new challenges. In the end, when we hit a wall, the struggle to overcome it is ultimately a personal battle within ourselves.

  If we want to make a meaningful contribution to people and society, our success depends not only on how much energy we invest, but also on whether we direct it in the right way. By “in the right way,” I mean ensuring that what we offer truly aligns with the fundamental needs and expectations of others. Without that alignment, even wholehearted efforts may go unnoticed or unappreciated. To find the best match, it’s essential to validate our assumptions through trial and error. This is easy to say but difficult to practice—yet only by doing so can we achieve real success. I’ve come to realize this again since taking on entirely new activities after retirement.

  When starting something completely new, if the risk is manageable, it's important not to overthink—just take the leap. The worst thing we can do is get stuck in indecision, endlessly worrying about whether to act. Worrying only wastes time and energy. Instead, we can jump in, adjust our course along the way, or step back if needed. Taking that first step into the unknown often opens the door to new paths in life, leading to unexpected opportunities and personal growth.

  An old Japanese proverb teaches: “To ask is a momentary shame; not to ask is a lifetime of shame.” This wisdom reminds us that acknowledging our ignorance and asking questions may cause brief embarrassment, but avoiding questions out of fear means carrying that ignorance—and its consequences—for life. I can relate to this personally. In general, Japanese people have a strong sense of shame and tend to fear embarrassing themselves in public. There is a deep-rooted cultural tendency to be highly sensitive to how others perceive one’s words and actions. As a result, many prefer to conform to shared norms, finding comfort in behaving and speaking within socially accepted boundaries. Historically, Japan was an agricultural village society where harmony was essential for mutual support. Over time, traditional ethics and aesthetic values developed, emphasizing the importance of not inconveniencing others, avoiding conflict, and maintaining dignity. These values discouraged behavior that...

  In Japan, the rainy season lasts from mid-June to mid-July. While the steady rain nourishes the plants and enriches the soil, it also brings overcast skies and short hours of daylight, often leaving people feeling gloomy. Yet, this is also the season when hydrangeas come into full bloom. Hydrangeas thrive on water, and during the rain, their vibrant flowers and lush leaves appear even more radiant. On a dull, rainy day, their vivid colors create a striking contrast against the gray backdrop, offering a moment of beauty that lifts the spirit and soothes the heart. When we happen to spot a hydrangea while walking outside, it can feel like stumbling upon an unexpected gift—something small, yet quietly uplifting. In this way, hydrangeas remind us that even in life’s dreariest seasons, there are moments of grace and quiet joy. From them, we can learn to embrace our circumstances and find beauty where we least expect it.

  When we take the time to imagine the extraordinary efforts behind the outstanding achievements of others, we begin to grasp their true significance and depth. This perspective fosters a deep sense of respect and appreciation—not only for the accomplishments themselves, but for the people behind them. At the same time, it can boost our own self-esteem and help us build more meaningful relationships with others. By recognizing the struggles and perseverance required to reach great goals, we become better equipped to face our own challenges. It becomes easier to envision the difficult path ahead, and in doing so, we cultivate the resilience and creativity needed to overcome it. The challenge I face now is to firmly establish this mindset consciously in my daily life.

  It is important to have healthy and meaningful experiences in life, because over the course of a long journey, you will inevitably encounter situations similar to those you've faced before. Whether you’ve experienced something once or not can make a significant difference—psychologically and otherwise. One example from my own life comes from my working years. I was fortunate to have several opportunities to meet individuals who had achieved remarkable accomplishments. Initially, just stepping into the office buildings of such people made me feel uneasy—almost as if my feet weren’t touching the ground. I couldn’t hide my nervousness. However, even if these meetings were years apart, the repeated exposure gradually reduced my anxiety. Over time, I found myself able to interact with them more naturally and with a relaxed attitude. This transformation didn’t happen because I consciously trained my mind—it happened unconsciously. The experience wasn’t stored only in my memory; it was ...

  Whenever I encountered difficulties at work or in life, I would calmly remind myself, “It is precisely in these difficult times that I am truly growing as a person.” This simple yet powerful form of autosuggestion helped me build mental resilience and persevere through challenges. What made this technique effective was simple: it was grounded in truth.

  Since ancient times, the Japanese have used personification to make abstract concepts more relatable and easier to understand. By attributing human characteristics to nature, animals, and even inanimate objects, communication becomes smoother and more emotionally engaging. One fascinating modern example of this cultural tendency is the naming of robots in manufacturing factories. These machines are often given human names, which fosters a sense of attachment and even camaraderie among the workers. As a result, many people develop strong emotional ties to these well-maintained machines, treating them almost like colleagues. When it's time to retire them, simply discarding them feels disrespectful. In some cases, companies go so far as to hold memorial services, inviting Shinto priests to conduct ceremonies of gratitude for the service the machines have provided. This spirit of personification extends across many aspects of Japanese culture. Haiku and anime, for example, frequently...

  Looking back, I’m grateful that I followed my heart and pursued many of the things I truly wanted to do. Of course, there were times when the results didn’t turn out as I had hoped. But as long as I did my best, I can accept the outcome without regret. On the other hand, when my efforts led to the results I had envisioned, those experiences became lasting sources of strength and encouragement for the rest of my life. I’ve often heard elderly people in Japan say they wish they had had the courage to pursue their dreams when they were younger. It’s always sad to hear such reflections, especially when those same individuals still hesitate to take action on what they want to do, even now. That’s why I believe it’s best to do what we truly want to do—starting now, in whatever way we can. Taking that first step without delay is one of the most important secrets to living a life free of regret.

  In nature, each snowflake is shaped by a combination of weather patterns in the sky and environmental conditions it encounters on its descent. As a result, every snowflake forms its own unique shape—no two are ever exactly alike. Their delicate beauty is also fleeting, as they eventually melt and vanish. In much the same way, human life is finite. Yet those who have been shaped and polished by a variety of life experiences often come to live more fully in the present. Like snowflakes, their individuality shines through—radiating a quiet beauty and depth that grows ever more compelling, both inside and out.

  Of the five human senses, it is said that more than 80% of the information we receive from the outside world comes through sight. As a result, we tend to believe that only what is visible truly exists. However, modern science has revealed a far more complex reality—one filled with invisible phenomena such as electromagnetic waves, molecules, atoms, and elementary particles. These unseen forces not only exist but also play essential roles in the technologies and advancements that benefit our daily lives. Even in our professional achievements, success is rarely the product of visible efforts alone. It often stems from a web of unseen influences: people's thoughts and emotions, unspoken dynamics, timing, and countless other invisible factors that interact in subtle yet powerful ways. When we accept that both visible and invisible worlds coexist and shape our experiences, we begin to perceive a deeper connection between our inner lives and the external environment. By consciously emb...

  To everyone taking meaningful action and feeling disheartened after hitting a wall:  This is a valuable period of growth. Through your efforts—no matter the outcome—you are gaining far more than if you had done nothing at all. Please don’t lose heart. Move forward with confidence, embracing trial and error as a true challenger. In doing so, you will undoubtedly grow—not just in skill, but in character.