Tuesday, January 3, 2017

New Year's Resolution!

So 2017 has come. I've been a bit ill, but other than that, it's been pretty good.

Alright, so in this post, I'd like to talk about some goals I've made for myself. Well, first of all, I need to find myself a job. I really don't like how the system works here in Japan, but I just have to deal with it. There's a certain "job-hunting season" every year when all students who apply look for their jobs. And you would want to get a job which you'll start from the next April, by your last summer vacation in collage. So, uh, the bottom line is that I need to work hard and get a job.

Secondly, I'll study Eastern philosophy. I am interested in Buddhism, and I don't really know much about Buddhism, but I feel like it's more like philosophy. According to a lecture of a class I used to sneak in and listen to, Buddha stands on a viewpoint that life is tough. Keeping it in mind as a premise, he tried to figure out how to live. "To be spiritually awakened" is one of my life goals. And to make it really happen, although it is definitely not an easy goal, and takes a very long time, I think I need to see what Buddha taught. Another reason why I want to study Buddhism (or Eastern philosophy?) is much simpler. I want to learn about it because I don't know about it. I am a Buddhist, but am I? Religion in Japan is very interesting. We go to temples and shrines but I'd say most of us say, "I don't have any religious belief." We don't really think and talk about religion. Yeah, we go to temples, so we must be Buddhists, and yeah, we also go to shrines, so somehow we must be Shintoists as well... But...??? I don't think this kind of situation is a bad thing necessarily. Japanese are quite flexible about religion. I even think Japan may be able to make a contribution to bring hope to religious conflicts. Oops, that was quite a ramble! Conclusion, I'll read books and study Buddhism and Eastern philosophy.

Third, I want to help people be more confident. I know, being confident is not easy for me either. But I think when you are in trouble dealing with yourself, you should look around and engage with the others. Be nice and kind even more when you're hurt and lost. Because that will save you. There are so many ways to lose confidence. Maybe it's how you look, your weight, your school grade, how much money you get paid, etc... All of these come from comparing you with the others. If you truly establish YOU, you don't have to compare yourself with the others. And by the way, all of those fixed ideas/views, and stereotypes are bullshit. If you keep thinking about them, you'll never fully love yourself. You don't have to have a certain body shape or look to love yourself and to be loved by people. And moreover, you don't have to be loved or liked by every single person you meet in the first place. Because that's never going to happen. Some people will always hate you, and you won't get along with everybody, and that is just fine. That is nobody's fault. I want to have many conversations with people who have this kind of issues, and make them feel better about themselves. I'm not perfect, and yes, that's true, I'm not confident like I want myself to be, but I can still spread love and kindness, and reach out for other people. I want to be the love people need.

Alright, it's been quite long, but this will be the last. I'll read more books than last year. I'll read books and perhaps talk about them in this blog. Yeah, I think that's a good idea.

OK! That's all! It's going to be a busy year, but I'll make it a good one!

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