Nurtured by Love by Suzuki

To merely "want" to do something is not enough (87).

One must be able to put things into practice (88).

It is only doing the thing that counts.. I shall acquire the habit of doing what I have in mind to do (88).

Even small tasks should not be neglected, but completed right away (89).

"If you try it, you can do it" (91).

"Unhappy are the thinkers" ... because thought is often just idle thought, and does not include self-correction. What is the use of pouring repentance on repentance? Too much thought makes thought meaningless, and finally we get so we reject thought altogether. Self-examination not accompanied by change isthe same as not putting into action what we think of doing (90). 

The sooner people realize their mistake, the better. The more the situation is changed, the nearer the human race will come to happiness (107).

"Talent is not inborn, it has to be created" (36).

Talent education (Talent Education Research Institute), Shinichi Suzuki

Shintaro Tsuji, a father of cuteness (Hello Kitty & Kawaii)

A president of the world prestigious, prosperous corportation is without doubt charismatic, talented, courteous, and inspiring. Although he was born in a rich family during the tough period of war, such an inborn high social status doesn't seem to play a big role in his success. He himself, as a person, is capable, intelligent, creative enough to set on a novel idea and lead it through the successful growth.

I have been considering working at an investment bank for years and I didn't doubt the chance/possibility of getting a job at one of the great firms or my aptitude/interest of the career until recently. There are so many other fields of careers that are socially necessary and productive and reach out to the realm of people, or members of this contemporary society in a creative and helpful way. If I pursue a job at an investment bank, I will also be able to help people make wiser decision on their finances and prevent the economic waste or misallocation of resources. I will definitely be able to get in touch with the persons who need my role in a society and grant valuable help to them. But I wonder why working in the firms that manage the flow of money should be the only way for me to help people out.

I am not saying that I want to especially work in a public education sector to improve the current mishap of education policies. It's just that there are so many diverse paths of life I can consider and choose after exploring and calculating which is the best match for me. For example, someone runs a blog named "Watashi to Tokyo" and is being so prolific and educative for people who are merely interested in knowing more about Japan or even who want to approach the Japanese culture from an academic angle. I don't think she blogs for her living. But still apart from her real job - no matter what it is - she does something productive. She communicates with people around the world and inspires them with the humdrum but intriguing fragments she feels, knows, and learns in her everyday life.



"Mr. Cute" in the article started his business using the ideas that have interested him the most since he was a little child. Even though he had to take care of himself left alone among the "bullying relatives" after his mother died early, he overcame the difficulties and rather turned them into a motive to build his business upon.

"He has constantly striven to make "communication" part of his business. Today, he believes, the culture of gift-giving and conveying nice feelings through goods has transcended national boundaries — noting that it has become a norm worldwide."

"Since I lost my parents early on, all I could turn to was my friends. I hate being lonely. So I've wanted to live amicably with everyone around me — and especially my employees. How do you make employees happy? You give them money by dividing the profits (laughs). We once decided on the amount of bonuses by rolling dice. ... To me, making everybody live amicably, and everyone being friendly to each other, is more important than making profits."

Like the blogger who runs "Watashi to Tokyo" or Shitaro Tsuji, "the founder, the owner and wanman," I want to do something productive, something that will inspire people including myself, beyond the challenges coming from the barrier of language, educational opportunity, background, or financial ability. It will be me in 30 years who becomes the subject of one blogger's post about the inspiration conveyed to him or her.

Yoshitomo Nara: The "cuteness" can never hurt you!

The "cuteness" can never hurt you!

I love illustrations of Yoshitomo Nara. I've loved his works for years since my friend showed them to me during high school. The evil-looking but still cute expression on a character's face seems to point out that people carry out criminal minds in their normal, pure hearts.  

Cute-wannabes is different from all kinds of wannabes such as sexy- or pretty-wannabes in that cuteness could be a universal characteristic for any women, or men too, in any age range to hope for. "Cute mode" is connected to not only a childish manner but also a nostalgic retro to childhood full of hazy, good memories. 

I say...His illustrations carry me back to childhood when malevolent thoughts and actions were anyhow forgiven under the cover of purity or innocence of a child. I didn't do many bad things that much, though! 

>This one is more like a standard one of his main character, who is always a young girl.  

 >Yoshitomo Nara, 'The Little Star Dweller' (2006). This one above rather reminds me of an angel-like innocent kid than an evil-looking rascal. 

*Sources from Google images 

**Alert!

Cute could mean a lot of different things, though. In Korea, if you say to a girl (especially in case you're a guy) that she's so cute, then you might imply she's anything but pretty, just a lip-service compliment when you have nothing to compliment on.