#jciosaka

If you still haven’t found that one permanent thing in your life, just keep on searching. Some of the most amazing experiences in life come out of fear, out of trepidation and out of that incessant longing. And then life will throw you things that will remind you of why you do what you do, what you need to let go of and what you need to pursue. 

I have been super terrible at writing this, mainly because there will never be the right words to define this experience. For how do you box all this inspiration, when they keep on permeating through your soul? I sit here, fidgeting with my little tea cup, which I have now grown to love. And I look back into the days I spent in Japan thinking of the most amazing people I’ve met and the places I’ve traversed. There are way too many highlights and I could only try to resonate some. 

The first rule really is, be respectful. At day 1, I met over 30 people at the forum with a constant bow that echoed a deep rooted custom of respect. There were CEOs and company owners that shook my hand as if I was of importance, when really, I was a mere delegate. We stayed with our host family that uttered the welcoming words “you are not guests, you are family” opening our eyes to the kind of familial relation. Despite our different races we were all united and connected. Realizing too that there was no communication barrier because we all have a universal language, that of affection, of generosity, friendship and familiarity. We visited Sendai and Fukushima, wrought by environmental destruction. But somehow we know that there is a consolation to calamities, that tragedies always bare heroes and hope is eternal. We paid site visits to top companies, providing us with the the opportunity to engage with dignitaries. They inspired us with the the vital thought that we must work for society and not just for personal gain. And even with this packed schedule, we managed to have a grand time. Drinking plum wine and eating edamame, singing our crazy hearts out at every karaoke past midnight, because after all how boring is life if you do not let lose? 

But what is all this for anyway, why do we have to explore unfamiliar territory? I firmly believe that everything, every tiny conversation, every sip of sake, every karaoke filled story, every firm handshake, is a preamble to one of the finer lessons in life, pay it forward. Time will only accelerate and it is in these lucky chances that reminds us of to be better versions of ourselves. Seek adventure, embrace as much culture as you can and let go of stereotypes. Push your dreams constantly, because surely there are no limits in life, not even dead ends. Really, we are far more obligated to live those dreams than to pass time in mediocrity.