silence of action
i'm in college trying to get a degree (finally). anyway one of the classes im taking is english. we were in assigned to read a short story and two poems. they were sad, depressing and made me seriously question my teachers outlook in life. i used to be very depressed and would surround myself with dark things. this is not living. dark things consume your thoughts and heart. it was a huge struggle to break out of the negativity mentality that i had found comfort in. there is an old saying "garbage in garbage out". icons like shirley temple and i love lucy have been replaced by honey boo and jersey shore. i remember the first time i saw an episode of sarcasm. slowly it began to warp and shape our viewing and now everything has become jaded and cynical. morality is almost non existent and dont even mention things like God. anyway back to the assignment. these stories were powerful and we had to write a response to them. the short story was about a little girl forced to wear an ugly sweater on her birthday and humilated by the teacher and when proved wrong the teacher didnt offer an apology. i was always a stubborn child. too much so in many peoples opinion. when i was the age of the child you could not force me to do anything. i was willing to take beatings and groundings and any punishment because i believed i knew what was right. see the thing about stubborn people is you cant confront us head on, we resist. we cannot be swayed or bribed. so how do you take us on? you seduce us. you make us want to be on your side. anyway the little girl was unable to stand up for herself and speak up. she was very intimated by the teacher. the story and poems made me think how often we use our words. i dont talk much. i'm uncomfortable around people. i think people talk too much about things that dont matter or even when they ask your advice arent going to follow because they arent listening. ive noticed with my friends and even enemies that when i say something it gets around and often heeded.
i know someone who for 5 years has asked her husband and myself the same questions over and over again about how to deal with certain things and situations. we have given her advice for years. a little while ago she came to me with tears in her eyes and want to know what to do. i gave her the usual cup of tea and looked at her. finally i said what does it matter what i say. you wont do it anyway. she was hurt, mad and shocked. i usually dont say much when she talks but i guess those words made an impression because the next day when her husband (my ex) and i talked he mentioned it. he was happy that SOMETHING finally broke through to her (although he said to remember the heads up next time lol). generally when someone says they have a need i try to fulfill it. we've stopped helping each other and stopped listening. id rather just put in a silent action. so many people say oh yes lets do this or that but nothing gets done. id rather do something and then see if any more talking needs to be done, its sometimes gotten me into trouble with bosses but luckily they've come to see things my way. heheh
i used that phrase "silence of action" in the report and i thought about it. its powerful and motivating but the real question is when someone tells you they need help do you quietly help? there is no need to shout it out and seek praise. it isnt about you. you become a peaceful place for someone and i believe with my heart that it is easier to hurt than to heal but what if we tried healing? ourselves, our country, and our world.
here is a post i read yesterday that meant something to me. it is translated by my friend amaiayume. it was blogged by GACKT. i thought i would share it and maybe (hopefully) have a kick start to your day.
Originally posted b amaia GACKT LINE Jan 28 2013
Someone on Tumblr gave me this one so here it is.
--------
Have you been well?
This is my first LINE update of the year,
so greetings for this year too.
Actually, I went to Osaka the other day.
On the shinkansen, the female conductor said,
"Your ticket pleas-"
and stopped suddenly.
She hit me with a jab, "Um...um... I'm a fan of yours, GACKT-san. Thank you for travelling with us."
When I said "Thanks,"
and handed my ticket over,
she gave me a right hook with,
"Please update your LINE... oh I've gone and said it!!!"
I had no choice.
She was beaming with happy eyes...
"Seriously~!!!!"
I blurted out.
I didn't know if I could take a photo with the girl who was continuing her work,
so this time it's just a shinkansen timetable.
Well, I've been pretty flat out since I got back to Tokyo,
so I couldn't update right away.
Then, now, my morning plans fell through,
so I started writing thinking this might be my chance to update.
I guess a lot of the new followers of this GACKT OFFICIAL LINE
have probably been wondering when it would be updated.
To make it clear,
I don't update LINE
unless someone I meet in the street
tells me to.
People who think that's unreasonable
should read the
"GACKT Nakadashi Live Broadcast"
blog magazine that is updated every week.
The title is indecent, isn't it?
It's full of my philosophy and aesthetics.
Well... I'm actually in China now.
In Guangzhou.
I was racing around yesterday to meet people I had to meet.
Then, my plan for this morning fell through,
so I'm taking a breather.
Well, that's how it feels.
I rode here on a PJ (private jet),
so there wasn't much annoying time spent at the airport,
but the flight still definitely tired me out...
When I arrived here, the sun was setting,
and the view from my hotel room wasn't too bad.
Thinking, "Huh, did it look like this before?"
I compared it to the photo from last night.
I haven't been to Guangzhou for a long time, and the streets have changed dramatically.
I'm shocked.
I don't think the streets of Japan would change this much in 10 years.
Since the number of new buildings constructed has also overwhelmingly decreased.
Will Japan be okay if it goes on like this...?
That said, Japan has quite a soul of traditional culture.
What Japan needs to be proud of showing to the world from now on
is things like that.
"We've almost completely lost the electronics market to Korea,
and if we don't think about Japan more,
this country will be ruined..." I wonder how many people have this sense of urgency.
With the world's population increasing and falling towards a food crisis,
and Japan alone with a low birth rate, if we keep going like this the population will fall to 70 million people.
To say it in an easier to understand way,
In the near future, 1/3 of your class at school could be filled with foreign students.
Of course, it's not as simple as that,
but what I'm saying is everyone needs to have a conceptual image of the future like that.
There are still very few Japanese people
who can speak a foreign language.
The fact that most people can't even speak
the English we study so much at school when they become adults,
is also the responsibility of both the country that hasn't reevaluated education,
and the people in it who lack enough of a sense of urgency.
Well, to say it flatly,
Everyone needs to put some KiAi into it,
and study at lease one more language with a sense of urgency.
Age has nothing to do with it.
The problem is the sense of urgency.
This time when I went to Osaka, due to an unexpected introduction by an aquaintance,
I met the company president of Super Hotels, and had lots of valuable conversation with him.
Definitely amazing... he moved my heart.
Regardless of his age, he always has an optimistic attitude,
a mindset of always trying to grow,
and lives his life day after day
seriously facing how to make people and his customers happy.
Of course, the results of that show up in the numbers.
It's a natural result that reflects the education of the staff.
Every one of his staff has bright faces.
I'm not ordering you to furrow your brows and think about things.
I don't think it's wrong to play.
Rather, I think you should play lots.
What's important is the way in which you play.
If you play, you should play seriously, and immerse yourself in it to your heart's content.
If you can do that, you'll be more fulfilled at work too.
Those who play half-heartedly
are lukewarm at work too.
Those who can both play and work seriously,
will be fulfilled in their romantic life as well.
Maybe you can't change suddenly.
But if you're gonna live anyway, shouldn't you live in a fun way?
The way that makes you fulfilled every day should be better.
Long ago, people said
"You should be willing to go through struggles".
No one wants to struggle.
If you only read the surface meaning of these words, you won't understand it at all,
but in other words,
if in any situation,
you can push yourself to the point where you're truly suffering,
The reward for that will be that you'll definitely be psychologically and materially satisfied afterwards.
Those who pass their days with a sense of fulfilment,
have good smiles too.
If you have a good smile, people will gather.
Men and women will approach you.
You'll be blessed with many chances in love and your career.
If you're not fulfilled day to day...
I shouldn't need to write this.
2013 has only just begun,
and if those who think they want to change,
don't take this as a good starting point, they won't change no matter how much time passes.
So, lift your head up,
and so you can be fulfilled day to day,
don't stand there looking at your feet thinking,
just keep your head up
smile and try to move forward.
Action comes first.
Even if it's reckless.
It's stil far better than standing still.
There's definitely something you'll be able to see within that.
In order to have the best life,
have the best year.
In order to have the best year,
have the best day.
In order to have the best day,
you must make this moment shine.
Those who can't smile in this instant,
will end up living their whole lives with a gloomy face.
So smile,
and try moving forwards.
YEAH.
GACKT
i know someone who for 5 years has asked her husband and myself the same questions over and over again about how to deal with certain things and situations. we have given her advice for years. a little while ago she came to me with tears in her eyes and want to know what to do. i gave her the usual cup of tea and looked at her. finally i said what does it matter what i say. you wont do it anyway. she was hurt, mad and shocked. i usually dont say much when she talks but i guess those words made an impression because the next day when her husband (my ex) and i talked he mentioned it. he was happy that SOMETHING finally broke through to her (although he said to remember the heads up next time lol). generally when someone says they have a need i try to fulfill it. we've stopped helping each other and stopped listening. id rather just put in a silent action. so many people say oh yes lets do this or that but nothing gets done. id rather do something and then see if any more talking needs to be done, its sometimes gotten me into trouble with bosses but luckily they've come to see things my way. heheh
i used that phrase "silence of action" in the report and i thought about it. its powerful and motivating but the real question is when someone tells you they need help do you quietly help? there is no need to shout it out and seek praise. it isnt about you. you become a peaceful place for someone and i believe with my heart that it is easier to hurt than to heal but what if we tried healing? ourselves, our country, and our world.
here is a post i read yesterday that meant something to me. it is translated by my friend amaiayume. it was blogged by GACKT. i thought i would share it and maybe (hopefully) have a kick start to your day.
Originally posted b amaia GACKT LINE Jan 28 2013
Someone on Tumblr gave me this one so here it is.
--------
Have you been well?
This is my first LINE update of the year,
so greetings for this year too.
Actually, I went to Osaka the other day.
On the shinkansen, the female conductor said,
"Your ticket pleas-"
and stopped suddenly.
She hit me with a jab, "Um...um... I'm a fan of yours, GACKT-san. Thank you for travelling with us."
When I said "Thanks,"
and handed my ticket over,
she gave me a right hook with,
"Please update your LINE... oh I've gone and said it!!!"
I had no choice.
She was beaming with happy eyes...
"Seriously~!!!!"
I blurted out.
I didn't know if I could take a photo with the girl who was continuing her work,
so this time it's just a shinkansen timetable.
Well, I've been pretty flat out since I got back to Tokyo,
so I couldn't update right away.
Then, now, my morning plans fell through,
so I started writing thinking this might be my chance to update.
I guess a lot of the new followers of this GACKT OFFICIAL LINE
have probably been wondering when it would be updated.
To make it clear,
I don't update LINE
unless someone I meet in the street
tells me to.
People who think that's unreasonable
should read the
"GACKT Nakadashi Live Broadcast"
blog magazine that is updated every week.
The title is indecent, isn't it?
It's full of my philosophy and aesthetics.
Well... I'm actually in China now.
In Guangzhou.
I was racing around yesterday to meet people I had to meet.
Then, my plan for this morning fell through,
so I'm taking a breather.
Well, that's how it feels.
I rode here on a PJ (private jet),
so there wasn't much annoying time spent at the airport,
but the flight still definitely tired me out...
When I arrived here, the sun was setting,
and the view from my hotel room wasn't too bad.
Thinking, "Huh, did it look like this before?"
I compared it to the photo from last night.
I haven't been to Guangzhou for a long time, and the streets have changed dramatically.
I'm shocked.
I don't think the streets of Japan would change this much in 10 years.
Since the number of new buildings constructed has also overwhelmingly decreased.
Will Japan be okay if it goes on like this...?
That said, Japan has quite a soul of traditional culture.
What Japan needs to be proud of showing to the world from now on
is things like that.
"We've almost completely lost the electronics market to Korea,
and if we don't think about Japan more,
this country will be ruined..." I wonder how many people have this sense of urgency.
With the world's population increasing and falling towards a food crisis,
and Japan alone with a low birth rate, if we keep going like this the population will fall to 70 million people.
To say it in an easier to understand way,
In the near future, 1/3 of your class at school could be filled with foreign students.
Of course, it's not as simple as that,
but what I'm saying is everyone needs to have a conceptual image of the future like that.
There are still very few Japanese people
who can speak a foreign language.
The fact that most people can't even speak
the English we study so much at school when they become adults,
is also the responsibility of both the country that hasn't reevaluated education,
and the people in it who lack enough of a sense of urgency.
Well, to say it flatly,
Everyone needs to put some KiAi into it,
and study at lease one more language with a sense of urgency.
Age has nothing to do with it.
The problem is the sense of urgency.
This time when I went to Osaka, due to an unexpected introduction by an aquaintance,
I met the company president of Super Hotels, and had lots of valuable conversation with him.
Definitely amazing... he moved my heart.
Regardless of his age, he always has an optimistic attitude,
a mindset of always trying to grow,
and lives his life day after day
seriously facing how to make people and his customers happy.
Of course, the results of that show up in the numbers.
It's a natural result that reflects the education of the staff.
Every one of his staff has bright faces.
I'm not ordering you to furrow your brows and think about things.
I don't think it's wrong to play.
Rather, I think you should play lots.
What's important is the way in which you play.
If you play, you should play seriously, and immerse yourself in it to your heart's content.
If you can do that, you'll be more fulfilled at work too.
Those who play half-heartedly
are lukewarm at work too.
Those who can both play and work seriously,
will be fulfilled in their romantic life as well.
Maybe you can't change suddenly.
But if you're gonna live anyway, shouldn't you live in a fun way?
The way that makes you fulfilled every day should be better.
Long ago, people said
"You should be willing to go through struggles".
No one wants to struggle.
If you only read the surface meaning of these words, you won't understand it at all,
but in other words,
if in any situation,
you can push yourself to the point where you're truly suffering,
The reward for that will be that you'll definitely be psychologically and materially satisfied afterwards.
Those who pass their days with a sense of fulfilment,
have good smiles too.
If you have a good smile, people will gather.
Men and women will approach you.
You'll be blessed with many chances in love and your career.
If you're not fulfilled day to day...
I shouldn't need to write this.
2013 has only just begun,
and if those who think they want to change,
don't take this as a good starting point, they won't change no matter how much time passes.
So, lift your head up,
and so you can be fulfilled day to day,
don't stand there looking at your feet thinking,
just keep your head up
smile and try to move forward.
Action comes first.
Even if it's reckless.
It's stil far better than standing still.
There's definitely something you'll be able to see within that.
In order to have the best life,
have the best year.
In order to have the best year,
have the best day.
In order to have the best day,
you must make this moment shine.
Those who can't smile in this instant,
will end up living their whole lives with a gloomy face.
So smile,
and try moving forwards.
YEAH.
GACKT