Lessons from Hydrangeas

 

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.

Popular posts from this blog

Cultivating Sensitivity: The Impact of Adversity on Emotional Expression and Fresh Perspectives

Image
  People often become more sensitive when they experience poverty or hardships that are more challenging than others. On the other hand, individuals who have been blessed with good circumstances and have lived without inconveniences tend to have dull sensibilities. This can be understood from the fact that, for example, when a person goes through a difficult situation and honestly writes about what they feel on a daily basis, their sensitivity is very acute, and the reader is moved. So, what is the state of sensitivity that is expressed there? This means that a person's five senses are in a state where they are sensitive and responsive, and what is sensed by the five senses is smoothly transmitted to the circuits that control emotions, allowing one to feel free and diverse in expressing oneself without doubting one's own heart. Their expressions are free from preconceptions and fixed ideas, and offer new perspectives, ways of thinking, and new values to those around them. As a ...
Read more

Navigating the Positive and Negative Impacts of Technological Advancements

Image
In human history, every story has two sides, the positive and the negative. For example, the invention of the printing press greatly facilitated the dissemination of knowledge and expertise, and the invention of the motor vehicle dramatically transformed human mobility. However, the former also led to a decline in human memory function, and the latter contributed to a sedentary lifestyle and physical fitness issues. Similarly, the Internet and AI provide us with a wealth of information that we often rely on, but it can also diminish our ability to rely on our own insights and intuition, which our ancestors cultivated through their interactions with nature over the course of human history. Even today, by simply taking a walk and engaging in a conscious dialogue with trees and plants, we can restore our innate insight and intuition. This, in turn, can enhance our imaginative abilities and provide emotional healing. It may be hard to believe, but why not give it a try?
Read more

Believe in Yourself: Insights from Osamu Tezuka and Mitsuo Aid

Image
  “Trust in others, but believe in yourself a hundred times more” is one of the famous quotes by Japanese manga artist Osamu Tezuka (1928-1989). During his lifetime, Tezuka created over 700 manga titles, including “Astro Boy”, “Jungle Emperor”, “Firebird”, and “Black Jack”, which received high praise worldwide. This quote gives us a glimpse of his unique beliefs based on his lifetime experience. Instead of relying solely on external support, Tezuka believed that overcoming despair required being a strong shield and ally to oneself. Additionally, Mitsuo Aida (1928-1989), a Japanese poet and calligrapher, has left behind many famous sayings, one of which is “I was born into this world because there is one job in this world that only I can do.” This quote also reflects Mr. Aida's beliefs. Therefore, if we consider these two famous quotes together and make some adaptations, I could say, “I was born into this world because there is a job that only I can do. And, I firmly believe in my p...
Read more