Compass of the Times 255

Believing in Oneself

Keiko Takahashi

An Era That Demands Proof of Who We Are

How vividly are you feeling that the times are constantly changing?

In the past, people’s way of life was passed down from parents to their children. For example, until Japan’s Edo period (1603 – 1867), the children of farmers became farmers, children of artisans became artisans, children of merchants became merchants, and the children of warriors became warriors or married into warrior families. They basically had no other choice.

However, with the collapse of such a status system, people became able to express the way they wanted to live. They can now choose their occupation and where they want to live by their own volition.

It would have been a dramatic step forward in terms of the quality of life because now everyone could envision their own future and live toward their own aspirations.

At the same time, however, this also meant that we would need to create our lives by ourselves. Unlike in the past, when our path in life was predetermined from birth, we now have to choose our path and leave our mark on the world as ourselves.

In times past, unless we had a special position or status, our life as an individual was neither distinct nor noticed.

For that very reason, the fact that we are now in the era of choosing our own path in life, in a different sense, becomes a major hurdle for us. This is because everyone will implicitly feel that they must show their identity, that is, proof of who they are.

The Era of Comparison and Competition

As we go through our childhood, we soon enter our school years and begin socializing.

We, who live in Japan, tend to be particularly conscious of the eyes of others; “how others see us” has a major impact on how we live.

In order to establish our own identity in such an environment, we must exhibit characteristics, often superior qualities, that set us apart from others. We are forced to seek proof of who we are, such as being better-looking than those around us, getting better grades, or excelling in sports.

Naturally, we will start comparing ourselves to others in every aspect of life. If we are superior, we will gain confidence; if we are inferior, we will lose confidence. There is no doubt that the ups and downs of feelings of superiority and inferiority cast a large shadow over our daily lives.

In such a situation, it becomes difficult to truly believe in ourselves or have confidence in ourselves.

To Truly Believe in Oneself and to Have True Confidence

So, what does it mean to truly believe in yourself? What is true confidence?

As many of you have already sensed, you cannot have true confidence by being better in some areas than others. If so, you can only become confident when you are better than everyone. Nor can you believe in yourself because you are recognized by others. If so, believing in yourself is not up to you, but up to others.

Each one of us is an irreplaceable being. We all have experienced many lives and are living in the present as a soul.

Even in terms of our current lives, no other person has had the same experiences in life in terms of encounters and events. The light and darkness that flow into our lives, as well as the new paths that emerge from them, are all different, and none is the same. We are the unique intersection of bonds of all creatures with diverse individuality, and each one of us has dived into this life with a wish to fulfill.

Even if you have flaws and weaknesses, there is no one person who can take your place and do the work you are meant to do.

This very fact is the reason we believe in ourselves and the basis for the confidence we should have. This month, I would like you to think about believing in yourself, and about true confidence.

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