Trust is a Must

On the new adventure. No idea what could possibly be ahead of me.  I  then came to a very interesting fork in the road. There were two paths. And they were both sign-posted. To the left there was a path that looked very well-trekked already, as if many a person had stomped their way down it before. The plants around it had been heavily trod on, bent over and lifeless. This was signposted with the following Japanese phrase:

- 長いものにはまかれる・ (nagai mono ni wa makareru)

Translation:  wrap a long thing around you.

Meaning conveyed: Once you have wrapped a rope around you, you can easily be pulled by others, down the path that everyone else follows, to do and be exactly the same as them.

This path seemed so well defined that I could actually see it's destination in the distance. And as I gazed down for a few more moments, from only imagining the predictability of it, I had a sudden feeling of deep emptiness. Just from the fact that I knew exactly where that path led was enough  for me to turn my head away and look for an alternative.

And so I turned my attention to the other path on my right, which was signposted with another phrase in Japanese:

- 茨の道を選ぶ (ibari no michi wo erabu)

Translation: Choose the path full of rose thorns

Meaning: Choose the dangerous path, and you will gain the biggest reward.

I looked down this path obviously in fear. There was danger of hurt, pain and suffering. But I was convinced that I would discover beautiful things, and have adventurous stories to tell and share with others, spreading happiness, joy and love, which of course is all I ever wanted. And of course, just as importantly, inspiring others to do exactly the same, making this world an even more vibrant and exciting place to live for everyone to enjoy.

And so I made my obvious choice. But before I set off on the perilous journey to true happiness, light and love, I looked at the person who was standing beside me, also trying to choose a path. And for a very brief moment, as we looked into each others eyes, a mutual agreement and understanding was shared between us and I had a sudden feeling of pure joy shining from inside of me. I reached out my hand. But at that moment, I looked again and the light in the eyes had slowly started to diminish.

I saw fear had won it's battle, and completely taken over. In the next instance, the magnetism started to repel and we were pushed down separately, down separate directions, down separate destinies.

I now travel this path full of thorns, alone but content, sending love and light down the other path when I can, while simultaneously trying to learn the lesson of acceptance. The winds have changed their tone and the only word I hear being whispered to me now is......'Trust...'.

Then it became clear. Do we really know what is good and bad for us in our lives? Or do we create illusions about what are good and bad and blame the universe when we don't get what we think we want?

The real questions are:

Can we be patient enough to wait for the blessings in store for us all, or will we lose all chance of it because we are too busy complaining about what we think don't have?

I suddenly understood what I had to do. I switched off fear, and replaced it with pure unconditional Trust. Trust in the universe, that it well, truly  and ultimately wants the very best for me, even if it's not so obvious to me at times. And so with my mind at peace I trusted, took the jump, and now a stronger, happier and wiser person is here in front of you, telling you this story.

 Trust today, and things may go your way.

KEEP CALM IT'S JUST JAPAN!

Here is a little something mainly to help all the newbies that have decided to come and see what Japan has to offer in their lives. But I’m sure the oldies can relate and benefit just as much J

So after a lot of thinking (ouch!) and gathering some perspective from other teachers, here are the ten top tips to conquering culture shock living in Japan. Gambate!

1.       Learn a little lingo. It’s true you don’t have to be a master at Japanese to survive in Tokyo, but even a few basic words will get you pretty far in sticky situations, and it’s best to avoid those in this weird and wonderful place. Plus you really impress the locals when they hear you trying, just a few words and to them you would already be very ‘jouzo’(good at) . Not bad for the old ego too J

2.       Giggle… at yourself. Messed up a little? Said something completely wrong in Japanese, or parked your bike in a no parking zone area without realizing as you may be unable to read the signs, resulting in it being towed away? (that one is probably only me). LAUGH at it. There will be many things going on around you every day that will leave you guessing forever, and they make amazing stories that can be shared with other foreigners living here and soon you will be comparing to see  who’s story is the funniest and who messed up the most, leaving your sides hurting.

3.       Eat the weird and you might get wonderful. Guaranteed you will go into a convenience store and turn your nose up at most of the stuff to eat in there when you first arrive.  You may even lose a few pounds and be put off eating well for a while. But Japanese people are known to live a very long time, and studies have suggested that there is a very high chance  it could be down to their diet.  So although it looks horrifically different to anything you may have tried before,   once you dive right into it you’ll be pleasantly surprised how fun all the different tastes, textures and combinations of food you’ll discover is. You’ll be saying ‘mmmm oishiii!!’ before you know it, and may have extended your life by a few years.

4.       Say goodbye to homesickness. Let me guess, you are missing baked beans, Cadburys chocolate, frozen pizzas, English breakfasts, and a good old pint of British ale or stout from somewhere south western, Wiltshire or Devonshire prehaps. Well I’ve only be here 7 months, and I have found them ALL. There’s an abundance of English pubs, and international supermarkets, even a Waitrose section for you upmarket folk.  Tokyo is a city full of surprises, keep asking around with enthusiasm, and you’ll find whatever you want.

5.       The silence is only temporary. You will do lessons sometimes and wonder if the student your teaching may be slightly mute. Let me tell you that’s very improbably the case. You may find the reserved personalities a little shocking at first, but please know that it’s not YOU, you wouldn’t be offending anyone as I’m sure you’re a great guy/girl. Being shy and reserved is part of the culture here, especially when meeting foreigners (we are a little scary at times it’s true) so keep smiling, keep eliciting and keep being yourself, and within no time the students will feel comfortable, open up more,  and may even be best bud material.

6.       Oh the mystery…What are they thinking? Sometimes when you have no idea what’s going on in a situation, it won’t just be because of the language barrier that there may be(unless you have a super brain and picked up how to write 2000 Kanji characters just walking off the plane).  But even then, languages aside, you will find a tendency for a lot of thinking to be happening,  but not enough talking, saying what it is  they are thinking, even if it’s important. You will find this especially on the trains when you will be crammed left right and centre like sardines in a can. No one will speak but it will be obvious that everyone will be getting on everyone else’s nerves. What I’ve done in this situation is just simply understand and accept that that is how it is. Worrying about it will only cause unnecessary stress. Besides, this allows the ‘bum shuffle’ to be totally acceptable to do on the train (a term we’ve recently come up with for cramming yourself backwards when you enter the train, making everyone else shuffle up and suffocate just a little bit more) It’s all fun and games of course J

7.       I. AM. ROBOT. But it’s OK not to be too. Tokyo is an exciting place to be. But you may notice that there is a certain robotic-ness to the daily life routines. People will be doing the same things, dressed the same way go to the same places every single working day. Some people have called it being ‘plugged into the matrix’.  And it’s so easy to get caught up into that matrix yourself. My advice here is mix it up a little. Take a different route, go shopping and eating in different places (there is ample to choose from!). Go check out some crazy museums, robot restaurants, cat cafes, kendo  and ninja lessons, maid… well, whatever takes your fancy, each to their own. It will take out the mundane feeling from daily routine and help you feel you are making the most out of your experience here.

8.       It’s not just any plan. It’s a Japan Plan! Got some holiday coming up? As amazing as Tokyo is, get out and about in the rest of Japan as much as you can. It has everything you can imagine, from bungee jumping in the mountains to scuba diving in the tropical islands, anything you want,  you’ll find it. The only limit is the one you set yourself.

9.       Drink. Find a local bar and get in there as much as you can. Plain and simple. Even if you don’t like alcohol (non-alcoholic beer is a bigger thing here). Friends will be made, amazing people will be met, opportunities will be placed in front of you on a silver platter, and your Japanese language skills will sky rocket.  Trust me on this oneJ

10.   Actually, you’re quite special. Oh go on then, a lot J You will look around sometimes and think, my god, I’m an alien. Yep, we are not in London, where your best mate may be Polish, and your Dad Indian and your cousin Jamaican.  It’s pretty daunting, and you will probably get stared at, and get given a fork instead of chopsticks every-time you buy something from a convenience store .  125 million people live in Japan, and we only make up  1% of that. But this small percentage does not have any effect on what you are worth. Understand, accept and enjoy being different, let your uniqueness shine through you and the adventure that you came here looking for may well exceed your highest expectations.