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The Timeless Pursuit of Ikigai

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  Many people discover a passion during childhood or adolescence. Ideally, this passion would evolve into a fulfilling career in adulthood. However, for various reasons, many individuals end up abandoning their passions instead of pursuing them further. On the other hand, if a passion remains a hobby, one can continue to enjoy it alongside their professional life and even in retirement. By dedicating years to a hobby, honing related skills and knowledge, individuals can reach new levels of expertise and experience profound emotional fulfillment. When others witness this dedication, they may view it as the individual's "ikigai," or reason for living. It is never too late to pursue one's passions and find deep satisfaction in doing what one loves.

Unleashing Human Potential: A Parallel to the Conservation of Mechanical Energy

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  In physics, there exists a law known as the conservation of mechanical energy, which states that the total amount of energy in a closed system remains constant over time, even as it changes from one form to another. For instance, when an object falls from a height, its potential energy decreases while its kinetic energy increases, yet the total energy remains constant. However, our perception often fixates on kinetic energy, leading to the impression that energy levels fluctuate over time. If we were to replace this concept of energy with human potential, a similar analogy emerges. Each individual possesses a reservoir of potential ability, akin to potential energy, which can be harnessed and concentrated in specific areas to achieve results, analogous to kinetic energy or manifest ability. While everyone starts with the same potential, some excel by effectively channeling and manifesting their potential in a particular field. Nevertheless, there is a limit to the total potential ind

Believe in Yourself: Insights from Osamu Tezuka and Mitsuo Aid

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  “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

Mountain Climbing: A Metaphor for Life's Journey

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  When climbing a high mountain, constantly focusing on the distant summit can make it feel unattainable no matter how far we progress. Conversely, if we keep looking back at the ground we've covered, it becomes challenging to continue moving forward. To conquer a towering peak, maintaining a balanced physical and mental stance is crucial. It's about advancing one step at a time, at a comfortable pace, while appreciating the journey without overly stressing about the destination. Regular breaks are also vital. These principles of mountain climbing mirror the pursuit of lofty life goals. Progressing while paying attention to what's around us is like living fully in the present, and this accumulation of experiences serves as a stepping stone to our future aspirations, offering a smoother path towards them.

Discovering the Essence of a Person through Their Words

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A person's words, reflecting the profound lessons learned from life's myriad experiences, often serve as the foundation for their evolving personality. Upon closer examination of these words, our preconceived notions about an individual can be shattered, revealing their true essence. Akira Kurosawa (1910-1998), a revered master of Japanese cinema, left behind a legacy of insightful quotes that provide a glimpse into his character through fragmented yet profound situations. "Find what you really like. Once you find it, make an effort for that important thing." "Do your best, no matter what, take a step forward, persist, and try harder. Even if you think it's no good, just keep pushing forward, and if you do that, you'll be able to break through." "Anyone can find the bad, but you can't find the good unless you sharpen your eye for it." "Humans are happiest and most joyful when they are focused and engrossed. It's wonderf

The Enriching Power of Gratitude

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  The following is one of the famous quotes by Konosuke Matsushita (1894-1989) , the founder of Panasonic, who is said to be a great businessperson in Japan. “There are numerous paths to feeling wealthy, yet I believe that embracing gratitude is among the most enriching. When you cultivate gratitude, your heart becomes fuller, allowing you to appreciate the blessings inherent in all things, extending beyond just humanity to encompass all of the universe. Previously, when I gazed upon a solitary flower, I merely saw its surface beauty, but now I perceive a profounder allure. Thus, understanding gratitude represents a form of intangible wealth that knows no bounds, generating immense value.” As an ordinary person, I have not yet reached this state even in my later years, and I hope that once I reach this state, I will see the scenery around me differently. I want to get as close to this state as possible.

The Lifelong Pursuit of Knowledge

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  In Japan, both 50 years ago and today, there's a prevailing belief that studying is primarily the duty of students, with less emphasis on ongoing adult education after employment. However, since life after employment lasts much longer than one's student years, adults have plenty of time to acquire practical knowledge and find opportunities to apply it in their daily lives, workplaces, and communities. In 1957, a Japanese social commentator warned about the dangers of passive television consumption, suggesting that it could diminish people's imagination and critical thinking skills, potentially leading to a decline in intellectual capacity among the population. In other words, if you passively accept arbitrarily processed secondary and tertiary information at face value, you will easily become brainwashed. This warning is still very relevant today. In order to build a better society in the future, everyone recognizes the importance of adults actively seeking out reliable i