A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

Since retiring, I've dedicated time to writing short essays. Initially, ideas flowed effortlessly, drawn from a lifetime of experiences and reading. However, about a year and a half into this endeavor, I hit a creative roadblock. The well of new ideas dried up, marking my first struggle as a creator. When feeling stuck, I often pressure myself to "write," carelessly adding stress that solidifies a stagnant framework in my mind. Consequently, this mental frame resembles a dry sponge—no matter how much I wring it out, fresh ideas fail to materialize, leaving me anxious. During such times, I've discovered that breaking free from this mental confinement is crucial to generating new ideas. Instead of fixating solely on the short essay, exploring external information and diverse perspectives, engaging with nature, or embracing others' ideas often sparks new thoughts. Essentially, expanding my mental framework and creating room for new ideas becomes essential to surmount

Naturally, when others treat us kindly, it sparks joy within and a desire to reciprocate that kindness either to them or others. This human reaction might be rooted in trust and forms an unseen chain of positive emotions that plays a role in maintaining social order and stability. It's within our hearts to either strengthen or break this chain, as both actions are closely linked. Therefore, it's crucial to overcome our negative emotions and cultivate spiritual strength, fostering a sacred and healthy sentiment to prevent our feelings from turning destructive. To achieve this, it might be beneficial for us to spend more time daily connecting with our inner selves in a way that suits them.

Prior to my retirement, my days were consumed by work, leaving me little opportunity to immerse myself in nature's beauty. I did manage to steal moments during my days off to refresh, yet the demands of work often hindered my ability to consciously appreciate the subtle changes in nature. It has now been a year and a half since I retired, and I've begun to discern and deeply appreciate the magnificent nature’s transformations in seasons. My gratitude for nature has grown significantly. Recently, I've found immense joy in observing the daily evolution of sunsets. These sunsets reveal varying colors influenced by climate conditions, particularly humidity and temperature. Notably, when the atmosphere holds a substantial amount of water vapor, relatively shorter-wavelength yellow and orange light becomes diffused, allowing red light to be more perceptible to the human eye. In Japan, during the transition from autumn to winter, the reduced moisture in the air restricts the movem

In the pursuit of any objective, the detailed visualization of the state upon goal attainment holds immense significance. This practice engenders excitement, fostering a strong belief in the attainability of the goal. Simultaneously, delving deeper into this visualization allows for the creation of a comprehensive plan, encompassing a structured timeline. This deliberate visualization process stands distinct from mere daydreaming, as it entails confronting reality directly and formulating a strategic course of action by vividly envisaging the moment of accomplishment. While the act shares similarities, its essence lies in purposefully envisioning the pinnacle of achievement to steer towards concrete goals. Presently, I'm refining my vision for a not-so-distant future goal, finding immense joy in the process devoid of external pressures.

While browsing the internet, I stumbled upon quotes attributed to Ryokan Ara (1928-2019), a notable figure as an archbishop of Tendai Buddhism. One particular quote immediately captured my attention: “It doesn't turn out the way you thought, but it turns out the way it was done.” This quote, in essence, encapsulates the profound nature of life. Individuals are born and nurtured in diverse circumstances as guided by fate, yet, in most instances, each person is granted the same opportunity to shape their destiny through their choices and actions. Life rarely unfolds as planned; however, the outcomes tend to be equitable for everyone who takes action. Intrigued by this renowned quote, I felt a desire to delve deeper into Ryokan Ara's life and teachings.

In any era, accurately understanding the present circumstances and making informed decisions relies on gathering dependable information from diverse perspectives and relying on personal knowledge and experiences. Consequently, obtaining essential knowledge, applying it practically, and cultivating a habit of thoughtful consideration is advantageous. Essentially, it's crucial to empower individuals to convert necessary life knowledge into the wisdom required for decision-making and action-taking. This becomes increasingly critical amidst the overwhelming influx of conflicting information.

Individuals who have confronted numerous challenges, experienced both painful failures and joyful successes before retirement, are better equipped to embark on new pursuits and realize their dreams after retiring. Retirement marks a significant life transition, and to ensure a fulfilling post-retirement life, it is crucial for us to actively embrace challenges and glean lessons from both failures and successes prior to retirement. These experiences, rich in knowledge and wisdom, equip us with the ability to comprehend the overarching structure of challenges and anticipate future progress to a certain extent, thereby enriching our lives post-retirement. Consequently, focusing on the present moment paves the way for the future, leaving no room for dwelling on the past.