Recently many of my posts have drifted from Japanese culture and into my mind. After being in Japan for nearly three years, most of the surface culture has become so much apart of my life that I find it very hard to write about it, let alone even notice it. Now with my time in Japan at my current job drawing to an end, I have many things that are running through my mind. Today I had a conversation with one of my friends about the future. I'm struggling with what I will eventually choose when the time comes. What path is best, especially when it comes to the choice of adventure or love?
I'll relay that conversation to you now, in hopes that this wisdom can be passed down to help others who may be wandering the chasms of the mind in the same way that I am.
Me: "Yeah. That's why the decision is hard.
Buildings wait for you, culture lasts for generations, they will almost always be there in some way or another to enjoy or test you. But human life is definite, and the window of opportunity to share it with others is very short.
I find very few things that I dislike about [my girlfriend], and plenty of things that I admire. Things I value because I think they are rare traits in humanity: perseverance, loyalty, adaptablity, patience, genuineness, empathy, understanding. Will it be so easy to find someone else that possesses these things?
But choosing her sets my course away from a wanderer of far off lands, to a more stable and predictable future. To a future that I will not be able to answer that very question, "How many people possess these admirable traits?" My mind is young and full of curiosity, it is also naive. That is why it is hard for me to decide these things."
Friend: "It's a tough one no doubt. If I look back on my life, most of my most memorable moments are with girlfriends. Sure, some relationships turned out to be not such a great idea, but no matter what, while things were good, I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Companionship gives you things that no building or culture can. And you can't just hop on a train or plane to find it. I say hang on as long as you can. No harm in trying and seeing where things go. But the moment when/if doubt enters your mind, don't hesitate to make a change."
My friend is wiser than myself in both years and world experience. So I valued his opinion and looking back on his own life for me. His words rang true to me, and so I will take his wisdom as a factor in my future decisions.
Lastly, I will attach a photo of Japanese culture! Enjoy!
.JPG)
I'll relay that conversation to you now, in hopes that this wisdom can be passed down to help others who may be wandering the chasms of the mind in the same way that I am.
Me: "Yeah. That's why the decision is hard.
Buildings wait for you, culture lasts for generations, they will almost always be there in some way or another to enjoy or test you. But human life is definite, and the window of opportunity to share it with others is very short.
I find very few things that I dislike about [my girlfriend], and plenty of things that I admire. Things I value because I think they are rare traits in humanity: perseverance, loyalty, adaptablity, patience, genuineness, empathy, understanding. Will it be so easy to find someone else that possesses these things?
But choosing her sets my course away from a wanderer of far off lands, to a more stable and predictable future. To a future that I will not be able to answer that very question, "How many people possess these admirable traits?" My mind is young and full of curiosity, it is also naive. That is why it is hard for me to decide these things."
Friend: "It's a tough one no doubt. If I look back on my life, most of my most memorable moments are with girlfriends. Sure, some relationships turned out to be not such a great idea, but no matter what, while things were good, I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Companionship gives you things that no building or culture can. And you can't just hop on a train or plane to find it. I say hang on as long as you can. No harm in trying and seeing where things go. But the moment when/if doubt enters your mind, don't hesitate to make a change."
My friend is wiser than myself in both years and world experience. So I valued his opinion and looking back on his own life for me. His words rang true to me, and so I will take his wisdom as a factor in my future decisions.
Lastly, I will attach a photo of Japanese culture! Enjoy!
.JPG)
