August 13th marks the beginning of Obon in Japan—a special time when we welcome our ancestors’ spirits back home. When I look at myself, I realize that both the parts of me I love and the parts I sometimes dislike have all been passed down to me from my ancestors. That made me think: if
Reflections During Obon: Why Embracing Myself Means Honoring My Ancestors Read More »
Living life means dealing with moments of unfairness, feeling frustrated by misunderstandings, or being hurt by thoughtless words from others when all you want to do is be sincere. At times like that, a comforting traditional Japanese mindset often comes to mind. It is the belief that “There is only one truth. Whether good or
“The Sun is Watching”: Why the Truth Always Comes to Light and Keeps Me Moving Forward Read More »
Living life means dealing with all sorts of relationship frustrations and having days where your heart feels busy and stirred up. In the midst of such everyday moments, I was recently reminded of a wonderful concept called “Mae-iwai” (advance celebration). In Japan, there is a lovely tradition of celebrating things in advance—congratulating yourself or others
Celebrating Before It Even Happens: The Wonderful Japanese Tradition of “Mae-iwai” Read More »
Living a life that involves so many ups and downs, I often find myself striving to do my best in everything—including cooking every single meal. But yesterday, I decided to do something different. I opted for takeout for everything. It was a surprisingly liberating feeling. I was actually a little shocked at myself, thinking, “Is
Giving Myself Permission to Let Go: Why Takeout Was the Best Choice Read More »
Living life means having days where you deal with relationship frustrations and your heart feels busy and stirred up. At times like that, what gently heals my heart is my absolute favorite: blueberries. It’s a little daily pleasure of mine, but the moment I add a generous amount of blueberries into my yogurt and take
Blueberry Yogurt and the Moments of Simple Happiness Read More »
Reflections on Living Well, Mutual Respect, and Global Peace I sincerely wish for world peace. Just as I love traveling to different countries around the world, I warmly welcome people from all over to visit Japan and grow to love this country as much as I do. That is why it brings me deep sadness
When we are constantly running through our busy daily lives, we sometimes lose track of where our heart truly lies. In Japan, there is a beautiful concept called “Ma” (間). It refers not simply to an empty void, but to a meaningful pause or a “blank space” that is essential for moving forward. コネクティングドッツ mindfulliving
The Japanese Aesthetic of “Ma” (The Space Between) Read More »
Hello, everyone! Thank you for visiting my blog today. Today, I want to share a beautiful Japanese proverb and send a powerful message of encouragement to anyone who might be feeling a bit frustrated or unappreciated at work right now. 😞 Do You Ever Feel Like, “Why Is It Always Me?” Imagine this: your married
“Why does a story written over a thousand years ago in the Japanese imperial court still stir our hearts so deeply today?” The Tale of Genji is known to almost every Japanese person. It is a grand, sweeping narrative that vividly and candidly captures every human emotion—love, heartbreak, astonishment, and even anger—vibrating just beneath the
Living life means experiencing all sorts of things every single day, doesn’t it? As I wrote a bit about in a previous blog post, I’ve been struggling lately with second-hand smoke around our house. Of course, I have no right to dictate whether someone chooses to smoke. But with the second-hand smoke drifting right into
Embracing the Frustrations and Kindness in a Heart That Never Rests Read More »
