A Journey through My Diverse Perspectives

  Understanding something important through reading, watching, or hearing is valuable, but true comprehension and mastery often require direct experience and trial and error. Experimentation is crucial for acquiring wisdom, yet it is frequently overlooked. Those with a strong sense of curiosity actively engage in trying new things. This proactive approach not only helps in accumulating wisdom but also fosters personal growth.

  There is a Japanese proverb that says, “The stake that sticks out gets hammered down.” This means that when building a fence, any stake that sticks out longer than the others should be hammered with a mallet to make the whole pile even. This expression signifies that standing out often leads to being suppressed. It is a metaphor for Japan, a country that has historically valued organizational harmony and conformity, and those who disrupt this harmony are often criticized. However, in the contemporary Japanese business world, the phrase “A stake that sticks out too far will never be hammered in” has gained popularity. This modern interpretation suggests that if you are half-hearted or afraid of criticism, you will not achieve significant results. In other words, if you can excel far beyond the average, it will ultimately benefit society and those around you. The evaluations of others will follow later. This perspective underscores the importance of striving for mastery and excellence.

  People set goals with the noble intention of contributing to society, aspiring to achieve them. However, if these goals are accompanied by strong selfish desires or the need for public recognition, the path to achieving them can become problematic. When progress stalls, it often leads to mental turmoil, such as irritation fueled by unmet desires. Many times, we fail to recognize that this inner disturbance stems from our own desires. In such situations, meditation can be a powerful tool. It allows us to confront our inner selves and become aware of these desires. By letting go of selfish aspirations through meditation, the mental clutter is significantly reduced, making it easier to focus on our goals. I find myself at a point where I need to reconnect with my inner self once again.

  Many people reward themselves after working hard at something, allowing them to view themselves objectively and demonstrating self-care. Such individuals often exhibit compassion and a willingness to help others. It's essential to take proper care of both your body and mind as you pursue your goals. These are the fundamental resources your well-being relies on. However, remember that excessive exertion and unnecessary self-care are not advisable.

  When striving to achieve a high goal in a field where we have no experience, being acutely aware of the gap between the goal and our current position can cause unnecessary stress. This stress stems from the perception that the distance isn't closing quickly enough, leading to anxiety about whether we will ever achieve our goal. In these moments, we can greatly reduce our stress and anxiety by focusing on the steps we are currently taking to move forward. By concentrating on the present moment and our incremental progress, we can alleviate the pressure. It is crucial to believe in our potential and eliminate any room for doubt, trusting that we will reach our goal in due time. I am currently experiencing stress and anxiety about achieving my immediate goal, so this essay serves as a reminder to myself and a message I want to share with you.

  For many people, life changes dramatically before and after retirement. As a result, our perspectives and daily feelings shift significantly. Keeping a record of our thoughts, feelings, and activities before and after retiring—a major life event—can serve as a valuable reference for those who follow us into retirement. However, after living in retirement for ten years, we may forget many of our memories of the transition. Reading through records we wrote after leaving our careers, we might be surprised by our past emotions and thoughts, and even reminisce about our younger selves from a decade ago. Advice based on ten years of retirement experience is undoubtedly useful for those approaching this stage of life, as it provides a broad, macro perspective. But records of actual retirement experiences offer a detailed, micro perspective that is easy to relate to. I believe that combining the macro perspective from years of experience with the micro perspective of immediate post-retiremen

  When a company interviewed Japanese people in their 80s about their life regrets, the most common response was, “I should have studied more.” The primary reason is that with more education, they would have been able to expand their possibilities and lead a far better life. The second most common answer was, “I should have just tried what I wanted to do.” Many people struggle to take the first step toward their ambitions due to a fear of failure and end up procrastinating, which they later regret. From these top two responses, it’s clear that if we have healthy dreams and goals, including studying, it’s better to try while we can. Even if we fail, we will regret not trying more than the failure itself. Therefore, the magnitude of the risk differs depending on our age, but if we follow our inner voice and keep trying to do what we want, even if it involves some risks, we can live a life with fewer regrets.