I was leaving to Kyoto from Tokyo yesterday. Woke up painful early, 5.30 to catch a morning train. Considering that blogging is now my primary job, I have just realized how time-consuming it is, cause the night before I went to sleep at around 2 am. Hence 3.30 hours for a sleep. No wonder I was going with half-closed eyes for the rest of the day. When I was leaving the Impact House, where I am staying for since Tuesday, a black cat has crossed my way. In Russian superstition it is believed that a black cat crossing the street before you is a bad sign. She crossed it twice, such the «undo» herself.
The only «bad» thing which happened to me was that I missed my return train to Tokyo today. I simply confused the platforms. With the Japanese precision I had to understand that when the train I was about to board said to depart on 15.30, instead of 15.29 which was the time on my ticket. A little hiccup. I took the next train in 20 minutes. The only difference was that the seat was not reserved… but there were plenty of empty seats.
It was raining today in Kyoto and I was lazy to do my «plan» of seeing the Japanese gardens. I spent most of the time preparing and publishing the interview. On the return to Tokyo, I have met a Russian woman who lives in Japan for almost 10 years now. The intention was to interview her, but decided to use the material she told for the overview of Japan later. Her husband is a twitter «star» writing on Japan as @japanreports.
Overall I had a chance to be by myself… Strangely, since my departure 2 weeks ago, this was the first time I was alone. Having lived alone all last year it felt as if coming back «home». I took this time to reflect on the people I’ve met so far and on insights shared through the interviews too.
The first impression is amusement. People are willing to help you, because of nothing, because they are good and it is in their nature. Indeed, some would say that it is in Japanese culture «to be for the other», but regardless the country and nationalities, I have encountered support. Even online.
These days I am receiving a number of messages from both my friends, even relatives, or strangers, who wish me success with the project and feel inspired by the nature of it. A good part of those I am receiving from women, who say they feel overwhelmed, quote: «I always knew that the true happiness is not just about family and kids, it is about true self», writes a woman who is happily married with 3 kids… Or an ex-colleauge of mine messages: «… My body is taking control over logic. A few more countries of your travel and I might make an important decision. I trust your project will change lives of many people, including mine».
With these messages I am feeling I am doing the right thing. For myself and for others. Just as I always wanted. It empowers indeed, but also puts more responsibility. I hope that through the stories I am sharing, you see the gist — every personality is different, but there are things which resonate with every one — seizing the opportunity for change and impact. We are all human, wired to feel fear facing the change, we are human to use our ability to challenge ourselves. I keep on saying: should you want something new in your life, you should do something you’ve never done before, even a little thing. The scale of the actions required might be different, but the feeling of fear is about the same. So should you dare to change, change BIG.
(Kyoto. Japan. March 13, 2014)The only «bad» thing which happened to me was that I missed my return train to Tokyo today. I simply confused the platforms. With the Japanese precision I had to understand that when the train I was about to board said to depart on 15.30, instead of 15.29 which was the time on my ticket. A little hiccup. I took the next train in 20 minutes. The only difference was that the seat was not reserved… but there were plenty of empty seats.
It was raining today in Kyoto and I was lazy to do my «plan» of seeing the Japanese gardens. I spent most of the time preparing and publishing the interview. On the return to Tokyo, I have met a Russian woman who lives in Japan for almost 10 years now. The intention was to interview her, but decided to use the material she told for the overview of Japan later. Her husband is a twitter «star» writing on Japan as @japanreports.
Overall I had a chance to be by myself… Strangely, since my departure 2 weeks ago, this was the first time I was alone. Having lived alone all last year it felt as if coming back «home». I took this time to reflect on the people I’ve met so far and on insights shared through the interviews too.
The first impression is amusement. People are willing to help you, because of nothing, because they are good and it is in their nature. Indeed, some would say that it is in Japanese culture «to be for the other», but regardless the country and nationalities, I have encountered support. Even online.
These days I am receiving a number of messages from both my friends, even relatives, or strangers, who wish me success with the project and feel inspired by the nature of it. A good part of those I am receiving from women, who say they feel overwhelmed, quote: «I always knew that the true happiness is not just about family and kids, it is about true self», writes a woman who is happily married with 3 kids… Or an ex-colleauge of mine messages: «… My body is taking control over logic. A few more countries of your travel and I might make an important decision. I trust your project will change lives of many people, including mine».
With these messages I am feeling I am doing the right thing. For myself and for others. Just as I always wanted. It empowers indeed, but also puts more responsibility. I hope that through the stories I am sharing, you see the gist — every personality is different, but there are things which resonate with every one — seizing the opportunity for change and impact. We are all human, wired to feel fear facing the change, we are human to use our ability to challenge ourselves. I keep on saying: should you want something new in your life, you should do something you’ve never done before, even a little thing. The scale of the actions required might be different, but the feeling of fear is about the same. So should you dare to change, change BIG.
(Kyoto. Japan. March 13, 2014)
