A Great Loss and A Positive Spin on Subsequent Hardships

Recently, a relative of mine lost a loved one to cancer. This came on the heels of many months of various medical treatments and unyielding hope for recovery. Instead, much like a fragile piece of glass knocked to the floor, everything shattered in an instant. The shock wave rippled through both my immediate and extended family. Everyone scrambled to lend a hand and give their support. For many, life had to be put on hold to secure a failing dam.

From this post, there are lessons to be learned and new perspective to be gained. Every cloud, no matter how ominous and grey, has a silver lining. My relative is reeling from her loss, which is further amplified by drama surrounding an estate. The hardships associated with this loss, coupled with said drama, are taking their toll. It's tough to watch a loved one deal with such a difficult situation. The best we can do as a family is give our collective love and support.

So, what lessons can be learned from this? It's tough to decide at first, but perhaps we can use situations like these to reaffirm the importance of family. This, after all, should come first and foremost. It is in family that one can find strength to overcome the toughest obstacles, the greatest hardships, and regain happiness.

As human beings, most of us are aware that life is very short. On a planet that is approximately 4.5 billion years old, a lifespan of one hundred years or less does not leave a mark with respect to time. What we choose to do while we're alive, however, can leave a lasting impact on small groups of people or a much larger population. Each of us is in control of our own lives. We can only control ourselves, and we can only decide for ourselves what type of impact(s) we'd like to have on this planet. No matter what we choose to do, however, not everything will come with ease.

During our most trying times, we should all strive to view the bigger picture - the grand scheme of life. Which paths brought us to our present position? What contributions have we made, and what contributions do we hope to make? Even with the hardships that we experience, are they really that bad? Surely they are not if, from every experience and every hardship, we are able to gain new perspective and learn more about the realities of life. It's important to grieve. This cannot be ignored with certain situations. It's also important to heal and grow, and from this, leave a lasting impact. That's the silver lining in this ominous, grey cloud.

Life is too short to wallow in misery and face defeat by unnecessary drama.

In Memoriam

We're here for you, and we love you very much. Please stay strong.

おみ籤

The title of this post, おみ籤 (Omikuji - literally "written oracle"), was decided after I spent the better part of the morning looking for my おみ籤 from my days in Japan. I have a photo of my おみ籤 posted at right.

For the proficient Japanese reader, you will be able to understand my good fortune after randomly choosing this おみ籤. For the non-proficient reader, allow me to briefly describe what is stated in writing. My fortune tells me that my life will continue to improve. It tells me that I should be honest, and it tells me to work hard and keep on top of my work.

The more separated I become from my days in Japan, the more I miss life in the sun origin country. In fact, Japan, and Asia in general, has a firm grip of my very being. It is without doubt that I will move back to Asia in the future, search for a job, and live there for perhaps a couple of years or more. This has been my dream, and it comes closer to reality each day. Much to the surprise of my classmates and professors, I am not afraid to live this dream. What is the point of dreaming unless you attempt to make each dream a reality?

What are your dreams? More importantly, are you willing to work at achieving these dreams, or are you afraid that your efforts will go in vain? By all means, for your sake and mine, do not give up on your dreams. Strive to achieve your dreams, no matter how big or small they are. If you really want to achieve your dreams, then you will find a way to achieve them. Years from now, as I continue to write these posts, I hope you will realize that I have achieved my dreams, and I hope that you will be motivated to do the same.

After all, dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.

I wonder where that おみ籤 went? I'll have to keep looking.