The word “Acknowledge”. I use it very often as if this word will solve most of the issues. I even said in the video: [There is no Cultural Appropriation in Sashiko when one “acknowledges the stories behind”]. Not the word itself, but the concept of “acknowledgement” can really change someone’s life. At least, it did to me.
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In my youth, I always wanted to “win”. The college degree in foreign country was one form of “winning” after layers of effort (It isn’t easy to get a degree in another language). Success. Accessory. Title… Everything was a subject to acquire, and I justify my hard work for “winning”. I even believe that “Happiness” is a subject to get after “winning”. As a result, I was always searching for “Happiness” and something to fulfill myself.
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Now, I have a different approach in life. For me, “Happiness” is something to “acknowledge” around me. It doesn’t have to be in the dualism of “Win” or “Lose”. I probably consider myself as a “loser” from my previous criteria, yet I am happier than ever with my daughter & wife.
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It is true that we sometimes “have to” work hard to “win”. Winning (Competition) is the foundation of development. However, it is also important to acknowledge something outside of the dualism they believe. Here, in Sashiko, the most important element exists outside of Western Value – and I am here to share it. Please acknowledge what you have & see – then, you will get closer to the answer I am trying to share.
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ここには昔の、2011年以前の私を知っている人はそれほど多くないと思うのですが、昔と今を比べると、ほんと180度と言っても良いほど考え方や行動原理が変化したなと思います。あれだけ変わらないと思っていた価値観ですら変わって、ある意味では「両極に近いものをみたことがある」から、どれだけでも話を掘っていけるんだろうと。
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私が思う日本の素晴らしさの本質は、西洋の価値観では測れません。体重計で身長が測れないように、対象が違う。どちらが良い悪いではなく、まずは「違う」ことを認識する必要があります。それを無視して価値を押し付けようとするような刺し子が存在する以上、役目はずーっと続くんだろうなと思っています。
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