A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  By learning from everything around us, taking time to cultivate healthy values and a sound philosophy of life, and honing our ability to express even the subtlest feelings deep within, we can better demonstrate our reason for existence—our raison d'être—and discover our reason for living, or Ikigai. In doing so, we may forge genuine, heart-to-heart connections with others on a profound level and become a positive role model for those who follow us and may be struggling with life’s challenges.

  Individuals who consciously cultivate the habit of anticipating how various events may unfold can learn greatly from the experience—whether or not their predictions prove correct. By reviewing both the process and the outcome, analyzing the contributing factors and underlying causes, and clarifying cause-and-effect relationships through hypotheses, they gradually sharpen their ability to make logical predictions. This is precisely one of the essential qualities of effective leadership.

  I began writing short essays immediately after retiring, and four years and two months have now passed. Although I have never consciously counted them, I have likely written more than a thousand essays in total. Undoubtedly, many share similar underlying themes, even when the wording differs; after all, there are limits to any individual’s imagination and capacity for thought, making some repetition inevitable. In this day and age, we can draw an endless supply of new knowledge from the internet and AI. Yet knowledge not grounded in personal experience remains merely a collection of information fragments; it lacks the unique character shaped by our own experiences, preferences, and interpretations. In that sense, my short essays represent wisdom —albeit imperfect— distilled from the experiences, observations, thoughts, and reflections of my limited life within a narrow sphere. Naturally, the scope and volume of such writing are limited, but as long as there are even a few kindred...

  When a negative, self-limiting mindset dominates our thoughts, we become unable to fully realize not only our existing abilities but also our latent potential. Therefore, especially when embarking on something new, boldly casting aside such limiting beliefs, believing firmly in our potential, and setting ambitious goals can lead to significant personal growth and further develop our capabilities.

  Looking back on life, I feel that when there is something you truly want to do and it is within your power to do it now, seizing the opportunity and taking action is essential to living without regrets. Even if something is possible today, changes in our circumstances or surrounding conditions may make it impossible later. This is especially true in our later years. From observing the experiences of my parents and other older adults, I have come to feel that it is important to complete end-of-life preparations while we are still mentally sharp and physically capable. These preparations involve numerous tasks, from administrative procedures to many other practical details. As the Japanese saying goes, “being prepared means having no worries.” Taking care of these matters in advance can help prevent unnecessary burdens on our families or government agencies later. Balancing the enjoyment of our later years with end-of-life planning requires us to accomplish many things within a lim...

  Everyone speaks of the importance of investing in oneself. Moreover, few people make such investments out of pure selflessness; most naturally expect some form of future return. In the context of work, however, the return may manifest, contrary to one's initial expectations, as a new opportunity to test one's potential. The rewards originally anticipated often materialize only after a considerable time lag—following the successful pursuit of an opportunity, the sustained achievement of results, and eventual recognition by others. In contrast, when cultivating virtue—an essential part of living a proper life—expecting something in return can make it difficult to sustain such actions and may ultimately prevent one from achieving the intended purpose. Yet, because becoming completely free of personal desire is extremely difficult for most people, the practice of accumulating merit may be hard to sustain unless it also brings some personal fulfillment—creating a mutually benefici...

  If opportunities abound around us, the degree of fulfillment we derive from life depends largely on whether we cultivate the ability to recognize and actively seize them. But how can we spot such opportunities? We must remain alert and consciously train ourselves to identify genuine opportunities among the many possibilities that might otherwise appear mundane or ordinary. To do so, it is helpful to develop a mindset that values time and puts that principle into daily practice. For example, when faced with a thirty-minute wait before an appointment, there is a meaningful difference between simply zoning out to kill time and using those minutes to attend to something that needs to be done. Over time, the cumulative effect of such small habits can lead to vastly different outcomes. Thus, to sharpen our ability to seize opportunities, we should learn to prioritize effectively and make the most of our time in everyday life.

  Whenever we have an important goal, regardless of its scale, we tend to work backward from the deadline to determine what needs to be done and by when, taking the present moment into account. At the same time, because our time is limited, we must choose to let go of activities that are not particularly meaningful to our daily lives or our lives as a whole, while keeping our goals in mind. In short, we prioritize how we allocate our time by focusing on multiple goals each day. Regardless of their scale, the cumulative achievement of these goals shapes both our daily lives and our lives as a whole while fostering self-confidence. Moreover, the process of pursuing them—including times when we falter—offers valuable lessons from many perspectives. Whether consciously or unconsciously, a desire to achieve goals rooted in our own hopes and aspirations lies deep within us. Choosing whether or not to pursue those goals is therefore crucial to building a life free of regret—in other words...

  When I harbor even a minor worry, I find myself unable to write a short essay. My attention becomes distracted, leaving no room for ideas to emerge. However, once I mentally organize the cause of the worry and how to address it—or take action to eliminate its source—I can refocus on writing, and ideas begin to flow naturally. Thus, when trying to concentrate on a specific task, the best approach is often to first address and clear away the nagging worries that occupy the mind.

  When you are deeply intellectually stimulated by how an outstanding and trustworthy person perceives things, reasons through quantitative theories and empirical principles, or approaches problems by transcending conventional wisdom, it would be a waste to let that impression remain merely a fleeting moment of admiration. By mentally revisiting such insights and striving to internalize them as skills applicable beyond the specific context in which you encountered them, you create an opportunity for lasting intellectual growth.

  A careful analysis of each problem reveals that different situations require different approaches. Some issues demand immediate action; others call for a phased approach involving appropriate, well-timed steps; and still others require us to wait until the surrounding environment or underlying conditions change before pursuing a solution. Therefore, when seeking effective and efficient solutions, considering the appropriate time horizon is crucial, as it broadens the range of options available for addressing a situation.

  Being recognized by others as exceptionally wise does not necessarily mean that a person possesses a virtuous character. After all, even a wise person may fall prey to worldly desires or be exploited by others, eventually using their intellect for nefarious ends. Conversely, being known as a kind and virtuous person does not automatically mean that one possesses the wisdom needed to solve complex problems. It follows that those who seek to lead human society in a positive direction should possess both noble character and profound wisdom. Of course, these are qualities to which everyone—not just leaders—should aspire in order to live a fulfilling life. Fortunately, such heights are within anyone’s reach, provided they remain committed to lifelong self-cultivation and persevere in putting these ideals into practice.

  To sustain healthy physical activity, the body derives energy—the driving force for its functions—from external sources such as a balanced diet, powering every organ. Likewise, to sustain healthy mental activity, the mind draws energy from within, nourished by balanced awareness and thought, as well as by hope and dreams. Ultimately, maintaining harmony between body and mind is essential to living a vibrant and fulfilling life.

  The phrase "it will all work out" expresses optimism and can provide emotional strength when facing adversity. Yet its psychological value depends greatly on the circumstances. If we anticipate hardship and prepare for it in advance, those words become a meaningful source of confidence and resilience. In contrast, if we foresee the challenge but neglect to prepare, only saying "it will all work out" after trouble arises, the phrase sounds more like an excuse for complacency than a sign of hope. The same words can therefore carry very different meaning and power, depending on the actions that support them.

  Now that I am in my mid-sixties, I find myself thinking that people who are sixty are still young. They have much they can accomplish in the first half of their sixties, and their potential remains immense. Even more so, those in their forties and fifties have ample time to pursue dreams and ambitious goals with confidence, rather than settling into a defensive approach to life. When I eventually reach my seventies, I am sure I will look back on my late sixties as a period filled with opportunity. Likewise, if you could view your present self from the perspective of five or ten years in the future, you would almost certainly see someone who is still young and full of potential. In that sense, we are all younger today than we will ever be again. Recognizing this truth can inspire us to embrace each day with optimism, purpose, and the courage to make the most of the time we have.

  When we make decisions or take action guided by the voice of our soul, we rarely regret the choice itself, even if it ends in failure. Such decisions arise from our deepest convictions and sense of responsibility, rather than from the influence of others. In contrast, actions driven by the ego often lead to negative consequences and lasting regret. Yet even regret has value. Through honest self-reflection, we can learn what truly matters in the way we live and act. In doing so, we gradually become able to distinguish the quiet guidance of the soul from the restless desires of the ego. That distinction then serves as a lasting compass, helping us make wiser decisions throughout the rest of our lives.

  There is a Japanese proverb, “Korobanu saki no tsue,” which can be loosely translated as, “Have a cane ready before you fall.” It reminds us that searching for a cane only after we begin to stumble is already too late, underscoring the importance of preparing in advance to prevent failure or unexpected trouble. Yet, even when we understand this lesson intellectually, many of us naturally wait until we are on the verge of falling before reaching for that cane—unless we have already learned its value through a painful experience.

  When we are suddenly confronted by hardship or adversity, discovering a deeper meaning that resonates with our lives can help us regain emotional balance and cultivate the wisdom and resilience needed to move forward. In reality, however, most people become overwhelmed in such moments; consumed by the apparent unfairness or absurdity of their situation, they often lose the composure and inner strength needed to overcome the challenge on their own.

  A walk offers a precious opportunity to engage in a dialogue with oneself. By letting go of regrets about the past and anxieties about the future, and simply walking while focusing on the present moment and observing the surrounding nature, we can acknowledge and appreciate ourselves, cleanse our minds, and reconnect with our innate positive spirit. Even a brief walk, when approached mindfully, can bring unexpected mental benefits.

  In astrophysics, the dust and gas produced by supernova explosions contain elements such as hydrogen, helium, carbon, and oxygen. Since these elements eventually became part of Earth and gave rise to all terrestrial life, including human beings, we are often described as being made of stardust—a reminder that we are, in a very real sense, part of the cosmos. Remarkably, researchers have also noted intriguing similarities between the network structure of neural circuits in the human brain and the large-scale structure of the universe, with its countless galaxies, black holes, etc. Inspired by such parallels, some astrophysicists and philosophers have suggested that the universe, through curious and imperfect human observers, is gradually coming to know itself. Over mere decades and centuries, humanity has uncovered tiny fragments of a cosmos that has existed for approximately 13.8 billion years—an astonishing pace when viewed against cosmic time. Whether or not this vision is lite...