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 »
“I can clearly picture their face, but I just can’t remember their name…” “I knew it just a second ago, but the moment I try to introduce them, my mind goes completely blank!” Have you been struggling with forgetting people’s names lately? The truth is, it might not be that your memory is fading. The
As we hit our late thirties and forties, life seems to demand more of us—in our careers, our families, and our social circles. We often find ourselves in the role of the problem-solver, the mediator, or the one holding it all together. But when was the last time you felt truly heard? And more importantly,
Yesterday, while waiting for the bus, I sat on a bench and was suddenly approached by a woman in her 80s. She began sharing her life story with me. “I don’t use makeup, and I don’t dye my hair,” she said. “How old do you think I am?” (Even though she had already told me
