A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  In every life, there are both good times and bad. When we fall into the valley of hardship, it is natural to feel pessimistic. Yet, if we can view a crisis as an opportunity and motivate ourselves, we can begin to climb smoothly upward even from rock bottom. Seeing challenges positively costs nothing—it depends solely on our perspective. Conversely, if we dwell on negativity, our difficult periods will only last longer, and we may miss valuable opportunities. Since our mindset can shape our destiny, it is wiser to choose positive thinking and keep practicing it. Doing so also eases unnecessary stress and helps us move forward with greater peace of mind.

  It is both mysterious and wonderful that people from different countries, lifestyles, and cultures—each shaped by unique experiences—can instantly connect, empathize, and learn from one another through social media. It’s undoubtedly important to nurture and expand this remarkable potential in a healthy and meaningful way.

  Reflecting on my career, I’ve noticed a clear pattern: individuals who actively seek advice and guidance from superiors, colleagues, or external experts to understand unfamiliar concepts consistently develop and demonstrate their abilities. This suggests that learning often advances most when one reaches beyond their own knowledge and engages with others. Moreover, when such proactive individuals ask for help, those around them often feel motivated to respond wholeheartedly. This reaction seems natural, as being asked for advice makes people feel trusted and valued—a feeling that brings genuine happiness and strengthens mutual respect. This dynamic aligns closely with the wisdom of Nakamura Tempu (1876–1968), a Japanese inspirational thinker, martial artist, and founder of Japanese-style yoga. He once said, “The distinction between individuals who become great and those who don’t arises because, even when exposed to the same narrative, their manner of listening and receptiveness ...

  Ryoyu Kurasawa, head priest of a Buddhist temple in Haguroyama, Japan, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced supply of nutrients for both body and mind as essential to human well-being. He advocates cultivating health not only physically but also mentally by achieving this harmony. To nurture the soul, he highlights the value of quietness, cleanliness, and simplicity. In silence, one can attune to the rhythms of nature—feeling the pulse of life and sensing the fragrant breath of trees—which restores inner peace. A clean environment, he explains, purifies the heart and brings clarity, while simplicity nurtures peace of mind. These forms of spiritual nourishment provide the strength needed for life’s journey. Many temples across Japan embody such environments that revitalize the soul, offering visitors a renewed sense of energy and reminding them of the deep sustenance these sacred spaces provide.

  The most important thing in life is to hold high aspirations and persevere to the very end. When we face challenges with the resolve to rise each time we fall, fortune often finds its way to us in the end. The presence of people who embody this spirit is proof of its truth, and we can learn much from the dedication they have shown over the years.

  Continuing to do what is important, good for us, and necessary to achieve our goals is easier said than done. There is a Japanese proverb, Mikka Bouzu—literally “three-day monk,” or more freely, “three-day quitter.” It describes someone who cannot persist in an effort for long. The phrase comes from the image of novice Buddhist monks who, unable to endure the harshness of training, give up after just a few days. For most of us, maintaining strong willpower is difficult. That is why, if we wish to keep doing what truly matters, it helps to break tasks into manageable portions that neither strain our body nor burden our mind. By weaving them gently into our daily routine, we can continue without relying too heavily on willpower. When such habits take root, skipping them feels uncomfortable—almost like a physical unease. At that stage, persistence becomes natural. Once a routine becomes part of our unconscious rhythm, laziness finds little room to creep in, and mental stress is grea...

  When I was working in an organization, I believed that accumulated efforts would naturally be rewarded—that a fair balance between investment and return would always be upheld. Yet in reality, opportunities for direct recognition or reward were far fewer than I expected. I felt this gap so strongly because I was convinced that the world had to be fair, despite the influence of my own ego and values shaping that belief. To reconcile this contradiction between expectation and reality, I chose a way of life in which I would continue working hard, even without the assurance of reward. Now, three years and three months into retirement, looking back on my 38-year career, I realize that while my efforts were not always rewarded immediately, they became the nourishment for my professional growth and laid the foundation for the fulfilling, happy life I enjoy today. In this sense, I now feel that my efforts were rewarded on a deeper level. Moreover, my determination to persist without expe...

  The Archbishop of Tendai Buddhism, Ryokan Ara (1928–2019) , once offered a profound insight: “When one’s mind-heart is not firmly established, one can be deceived by people’s words, leading to stumbling.” This suggests that those with a well-grounded mind-heart resemble wise individuals who exercise sound judgment. Such people seek information from multiple perspectives, think independently, learn from mistakes, and cultivate both experience and rationality. These qualities are exactly what our modern information society—overflowing with conflicting views—requires.

  If we make it a habit to write in our notebook each day—even just small incidents—we can record the know-how and wisdom gained from solving daily problems, the lessons learned from mistakes in judgment or action, reflections on our own shortcomings and possible remedies, new discoveries we had overlooked, and the deeper meaning of things. Over time, the notebook will be filled with wisdom and become a priceless treasure on the journey of life. By sharing it with others, we may also offer them spiritual comfort in their daily lives.