I learned something I didn't want to learn today. For Yamabushi training, I was tasked with leading the group for the first time today. This was bestowed upon me suddenly yesterday. Now, to be able to do this, I had to memorize one chant in less than a day. And you know what? I was […]

Why I do the yamabushi things I do

Naturally I think I am a listener. Well, I know it to be true. I'm not one to want to dominate conversation. Part of this is because I find it hard to put my thinking into words quick enough, and some people lose patience, namely those who want to dominate the conversation. But then you […]

Being stressed does not make you important. I just saw this quote on an Instagram post, and it's something I've been thinking about a bit recently. Actually not personally, but about other people. I've had to set myself boundaries because my work situation calls for it. When working multiple jobs, time management becomes paramount, and […]

In Japan, often the first option is the only option. People are given so much responsibility, often they do the bare minimum, just enough to get the job done. This is such a deeply-entrenched part of the culture now that it's hard to change things. I feel that this explains a lot about the work […]

When I got my car it was obvious that a grandma had been driving it. I only chose this car because of the mileage. Hybrid cars get very good mileage. Good mileage means it saves you money. I'm someone who likes money so it makes sense for me to drive a car that gets good […]

Ironically, the people who gain from the system aren't the ones in it. The system is built for the susceptible to fit in, and the unsusceptible to control. Some people are more susceptible than others. Rural Japan is one example of this. Here people just live life the way they have been told. There is […]