Compass of the Times 266

To Transform Worries Into Strengths

Keiko Takahashi

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The Time When Worries Begin to Arise

A month has already passed since the start of the new  academic/fiscal year in Japan. How has everyone been? 

As you begin to settle into your new workplace or school, some  of you may start to identify challenges and problems there and  wonder how to face them. 

It is typical of this season to see symptoms known as ‘May  Blues’—such as a lack of motivation, insomnia, or physical  fatigue—emerging around the end of Golden Week in May  among new university students freed from the pressure of  entrance exams and new employees placed in unfamiliar  environments. 

Of course, it is not just May Blues; problems are an inevitable  part of our lives when we devote ourselves to our studies  or work. We struggle with interpersonal relationships, feel  bewildered by sudden accidents (unforeseen circumstances),  and battle with new challenges. 

No matter the environment, it is rare to find one completely free  of problems. And, of course, as beings still in the process of  development, we constantly face challenges. In other words, no  matter what, we are beings who cannot help but worry.

It is the reality of this world that we inevitably encounter some  form of problem or obstacle—whether big or small—and carry  those worries with us. In a sense, our life is nothing more than  the flow of time itself, spent continuously confronting these worries.

Worries Are Not Just Something to Be Pushed Aside

The basic attitude many people have toward such worries is  likely this: “Ideally, it would be better not to have any worries  at all. And even if we do, it’s best to resolve them as quickly as possible.” This is a common feeling and attitude among all  people. 

In other words, we view the worries we face as troublesome,  and, if possible, we want to resolve them instantly and remove  them from our sight. 

This holds true regardless of the country or cultural context.  

Certainly, when we have worrisome matters, we suffer. They  bring various doubts and conflicts, cause significant stress, and  evoke anxiety and fears that threaten us. 

Therefore, it is natural to view worries as painful, as a loss, and  as worthless. It is not uncommon to perceive having worries as a  sign of weakness. 

However, the perspective of the Study of the Soul¹ offers a view  that stands apart from this. It teaches us that the various worries  we have are not simply things to be set aside. 

This is because worries can guide us toward a different way of  life from before, a new dimension. It means that having worries  is by no means something to be ashamed of. 

It is precisely because we are worried that we can move beyond  our old ways and try new approaches and a new way of living.  We can transform our worries into strengths.

New Book: “The Book of Worries—
Proof That You Are Living Life to the Fullest”

My new book, The Book of Worries—Proof That You Are Living  Life to the Fullest, to be published in late May, was born of a  wish to uncover the true nature of worries, grounded in the  Study of the Soul’s perspective. 

This book is not merely a guide to solving problems. Nor is it a  book that teaches methods for eliminating immediate worries or  for living a worry-free life. 

To reiterate, worries certainly cause us to suffer. You, too,  have likely expended a great deal of energy and experienced  many conflicts because of your worries. As a result, you may  have spent days feeling utterly exhausted and worn out. It is  undeniable that worries drain us and make life exhausting. 

At the same time, however, worries are nothing less than a sign  of new days ahead. Amid our worries, we can become aware  of our True Heart² we had not noticed before. We can discover  themes and objectives we had not clearly recognized yet must  truly confront.

Excerpt Translation of G. Monthly Journal May 2026 issue
Preliminary translation by GLA member-volunteers
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