A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

Admittedly, I used to feel envious of those who had retired and seemingly enjoyed a stress-free daily life after enduring the pressures of active work. However, now that I am retired myself, I find myself looking at active workers with a hint of envy. Active workers appear to be in a more advantageous position for fulfilling Maslow's higher levels of hierarchy needs, such as social needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs. This anecdote is a humorous and typical example of the saying: "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Interestingly, I have recently heard that many retired individuals experience similar sentiments.

  It is a wonderful feeling to be fully immersed in the beauty of nature. However, there are moments when I can't help but feel awed by the immense power of nature, particularly during severe weather conditions or when confronted with yellow warning signs such as "Beware of Bears," "Beware of Sharks," or "Beware of Crocodiles" in remote areas where no one else is present. Perhaps, I am simply a nature lover with a touch of cowardice.

During the 14th and 15th centuries (Muromachi era), a cultural trend of "enjoying the insufficiencies of our situation" emerged in Japan. This mindset originated from Japan's concept of Wabi-Sabi, which values the wisdom of natural simplicity and embraces the beauty of things that are imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. Often, true beauty lies beneath the surface of what we can merely see. By embracing the spirit of Wabi-Sabi, deeply influenced by Buddhism, we can liberate ourselves from the vanity of materialism and attain spiritual wealth.

  We are deeply moved when we encounter a magnificent scenic view that surpasses our initial expectations. An afterimage of that scenery is unconsciously formed and stored in our brains. However, when we revisit the same location after some time, the scenery often appears less impressive compared to the first encounter. This could be because the actual view cannot surpass the internally formed expectations based on the stored afterimage. On the other hand, there are individuals who are moved each time they rewatch their favorite movies. This phenomenon can be seen as evidence that with each viewing, they gain a new awareness of the depth and breadth of the film from a different perspective. Therefore, experiencing a change in perspective can undoubtedly refresh and enrich our lives.

Engaging in regular, open writing about our feelings, thoughts, and discoveries can sometimes make us feel slightly vulnerable or exposed, as it reveals our personal emotions, ideologies, and thought processes that often remain locked within our minds. However, through the act of writing, we have the opportunity to connect and socialize with others who may also have valuable feelings and ideas to share. In this way, writing becomes a powerful means of self-discovery and communication.

  Pictures and videos serve as powerful tools to remind us of the precious moments from the past that we may have almost forgotten. Human long-term memories can be fragmentary and prone to becoming foggy, making them fallible at times.

Those who are diligent and honest in their work, genuinely striving for the betterment of others, and steadily progressing towards their goals, exude a radiant and admirable presence. Their spirit naturally uplifts and inspires us, motivating us to take action in various fields for the betterment of society. It is never too late to embark on such a path of action, regardless of our stage in life.