#13: Countless Roads to Take

Regrettably, suicide is the top cause of death for Japanese between the ages 15 and 34. Similarly, it’s the second leading cause of death for Americans between the ages 25 and 34, and likewise the second leading cause of death on a global basis for the ages between 15 and 29. Given it ranks 5th for the ages between 30 and 49, and 15th overall, younger population globally shows higher vulnerability to suicide.
 
Not as extreme as suicide, many people today still seem considerably distressed about living. For junior-high and high-school students, perhaps it may be the agony over friendship difficulties, the inability to see the point in schooling, or simply hitting it off badly with teachers. For working adults, perhaps it may be workplace harassment, the struggle to get along with colleagues, or the seemingly inescapable glum future ahead on the current path. 
 
Perhaps, we may find society itself a mismatch to ourselves. For example, we may feel unbearably trapped in the Japanese society that cherishes Harmony so much so that The nail that sticks out gets hammered in. On the other hand, we may feel utterly exhausted in the American society that worships Leadership so much so that the quiet and introvert are considered less desirable.
 
And the saddest of all is when we feel emotionally isolated from our own parents – sensing not being loved and personal values so wide apart.
 
In any of these cases, a vision for the future can become terribly blurry and disoriented for us to figure out the crucial next step in life. Drowning in uncertainty, many of us today seem considerably distressed about living.
 
In such times of uncertainty, there are two thoughts worth remembering.
 
First, just like you’re distressed, there are many people in the world who find themselves in a similarly distressed situation. And just like there are many people under distress, there are also many people who’ll listen to you and empathize with you. You’re not alone. Tell your story to those who’ll listen.
 
Second, there are countless roads in life. Despite arduous efforts to resolve your situation, if you still find yourself in a bind and about to break down, then exit the road you’re on and have the courage to take another road. Of course, you must have the resolve to accept the new challenges. Don’t take this lightly as it’s a choice that will bring profound changes to your life.
 
Nonetheless, if your friendship struggles are so unbearable that you’re about to break down, then separate yourself from them and try joining another group. Alternatively, reset your mind to realize that It’s fine to designate much of the next few years a precious time of my own. There are many people in the world who’ve spent such times of their own, and now find themselves surrounded by many loved ones.
 
If school itself is so unbearable that you’re about to break down, then have the resolve to make the change. There are many people in the world who’ve transferred or dropped out, and followed by diligence and hard work, now find themselves in all happiness. In fact, there are many cases in which making the change itself induced diligence and hard work.
 
If workplace struggles are so unbearable that you’re about to break down, then talk to your Human Resources staff and ask for a transfer to another department or branch. If that doesn’t work, then change jobs and move on to a different firm. After multiple changes, if you still find the industry in which you work so unbearable that you’re about to break down, then have the resolve to make a career change by switching to another industry type.
 
Some people cling tight to their jobs thinking My pay is not bad. Making the change could jeopardize it. Nevertheless, if your struggles are so unbearable that you’re about to break down, then have the resolve to make the change. There are many people in the world who’ve made the change, which induced diligence and hard work, and now find themselves in all happiness.
 
If society itself is so unbearable that you’re about to break down, then change your society. That is, to move and live abroad. The world is thrillingly vast, and the cultures so fascinatingly diverse. Find the society in which you feel most fitting for yourself. There are many people in the world who feel absolutely liberated and realize that The society in which I was born and raised just happened to be a mismatch for me. Indeed, it is by stepping out that you gain multiple perspectives of the inside by looking from the outside. And sometimes, those new perspectives can upgrade your sentiment of the inside to not as bad as I thought.
 
And the saddest of all is when you feel emotionally isolated from your own parents – sensing not being loved and personal values so wide apart. Unfortunately, there seems to be too many cases in every culture where one feels I’m trying so hard, but I just can’t bridge the gap. Naturally, you as a child need not have to “try” in any way to be loved and accepted by your own parents. A responsibility of unwavering love and care for a child is bestowed upon the parents. Not the other way around.
 
It’s crucial to do this and that. If you don’t do so and so, then your future is doomed. Some people around you may offer such words of advice, but remember, those words may have held true in their times. Times change, and along the way, it’s indeed possible that commonly held beliefs have changed, too. “Possible” means that those commonly held beliefs may still stand true today, or they may have lost relevance already.
 
As such, let us first remember to listen to other people’s thoughts. Then, let us also remember that it’s completely up to ourselves whether we embrace those thoughts or not. Finally, let us remember that the consequences of our choices are ours to own. So, let us be earnest, and honest to ourselves.
 
Let us not be selfish. Let us simply ask ourselves How can I live my life to achieve happiness based on my own standards?
 
In life, there are countless roads to take. Let us select the ones that lead to our happiness.

Read Theme: Perspective