Surviving and not thriving is a difficult reality to acknowledge. As the New Year approached, I entered with a newfound attitude. However, a new mindset could only do so much in the face of life’s challenges. The beginning of 2023 proved to be especially difficult for me with a $300 charge for web hosting, the loss of my phone during a snowboarding trip, and to top it off, a bout of COVID-19. This illness brought me to a halt, confining me to my bed. Under my covers where I fought the chills, sickness, and fatigue. In between sleeping through large periods of the day I had time for a lot of contemplation.
With all that time to think, I realized I was tired of just surviving and not thriving. It was time for a change. Perhaps I had been too ambitious with my aspirations? It had been some time since I was sick, so I brought my white belt mindset with me.
What could I be happy about even during my time of illness? I was grateful for the many blessings in my life. I was lucky enough to have ten fully compensated sick leave days, which is not a luxury that many of my foreign peers working in Japan can enjoy. My coworkers also went out of their way to check on me, bring me food, and send well wishes. Furthermore, I was thankful that my COVID case didn’t require hospitalization. If I did end up in the hospital, I had a good insurance plan in Japan’s amazing healthcare system.
The Struggle of Surviving Not Thriving
As I reflected on my life, I couldn’t help but think about my dreams. I came across a section in Lisa Bilyeu’s book, “Radical Confidence,” where she explains that many people let their dreams shrink and disappear as they get older. Like Lisa, I had also shrunk and let go of my dreams. I saw a decline in my music, art, and video creations because I didn’t think I was talented enough. But then, I remembered the words of Steve Jobs who said. . .
When you grow up you tend to get told the world is the way it is and you’re life is just to live your life inside the world.
Try not to bash into the walls too much. Try to have a nice family, have fun, save a little money.
That’s a very limited life.
Life can be much broader once you discover one simple fact: Everything around you that you call life was made up by people that were no smarter than you and you can change it, you can influence it, you can build your own things that other people can use.
Once you learn that, you’ll never be the same again.
Steve Jobs
I realized that just because I wasn’t gifted, special, or a genius didn’t mean I couldn’t achieve what I wanted. Like Lisa, I am normal just like everyone else, yet I have the potential to make my dreams a reality. It was time for me to bet on myself and start anew.
Making Progress
As I delved into my old photos and files in the cloud, I was pleasantly surprised by how much progress I had made over the years. I couldn’t believe how much work I had created and how much I had accomplished. Although there were some pieces I was a little embarrassed by, I was still proud of what I had produced. Each piece of work acted as a stepping stone that led me to where I am today.
Every piece of work I created acted as a stepping stone to get me where I am today. Conversely, there are pieces I appreciate and enjoy more today than I did in the past. Usually, those are the pieces that bear more of my soul, those pieces allow me to step into what makes me unique.
Part of shifting away from surviving and not thriving into blossoming into life is being comfortable with what makes you unique. Reflecting on past experiences and rediscovering yourself can bring back that youthful and ambitious spirit. I looked inward and rediscovered my love for anime, cars, music, and video games. I had lost touch with that part of myself, but my time away had allowed me to welcome it back with open arms.
Waking the Dreamer
However, waking up the inner dreamer was not an easy feat, especially after living in the practical realities of life for so long. But after some time reading, reflecting, and seeking inspiration, I bought a self-help book with a gift card, and the first chapter of “Radical Confidence” reignited my passion. It reminded me that there is an alternative to just surviving and not thriving. There was something that only I could bring into the world.
The image perfectly captures the gravity of what I aim to convey. Despite my belief in a multiverse, multiple realities, and multiple lifetimes, there’s still something valuable about each passing moment. If there’s only one life, why not make the most of it?
Death Inspires Me Like a Dog Inspires a Rabbit
Heavydirtysoul
Surviving not Thriving Into Full Diving
What unique value do I bring to the world? Who do I want to be in 10 years? When I look back on my life at a ripe old age, before transferring my consciousness into a cyborg catgirl body, will I be satisfied with the story I lived? If I continue on my current path, I fear the answer may be no.
My interests include photography, videography, image manipulation, music, gaming, design, Japanese cars, and art. I aspire to be a multi-talented content creator, author, CEO, racing game developer, weekend race driver, car sales and export philanthropist, and DJ. Inspiring figures like Rob Dyrdek, Ken Block, Kid Cudi, Joe Rogan, and Jonathan Yong Kim (doctor, navy seal, astronaut) show me that it’s possible to achieve some of these goals.
Bucket List
- DJ at a Festival
- DJ at a Big Night Club
- Take Part in the Creation of an Anime
- Become a Full-Time Content Creator
- Write a Manga
- Write a Book
- Develop that Racing Game
- Go to Art School (Bonus if it’s In Kyoto)
- Go to Film School
- Get Podium at an amateur Drift Tournament
- Podium an amateur circuit race
- Participate in a rally race
Writing it down is almost humbling, but aiming for lofty goals, even if falling short, is better than never pushing oneself and living life in your comfort zone. It’s time to just send it, like Larry Enticer.
Follow Through With Discipline
As I delve deeper into the principles of Zen Guitar and Radical Confidence, I come to understand the areas of my life that I can strive to improve. The follow-through chapter in Zen Guitar offers valuable insight into achieving a goal, as does the journey of Zen Guitar itself, which is an ongoing path of growth and discovery. Celebrating small milestones and destinations along the way is important, but it’s essential to not get too caught up in the outcome of our actions. Results should not be the sole focus, as they are just a byproduct of our efforts.
It’s crucial to stay present in each moment because thinking too much about the end goal can take away from our performance in even the simplest tasks. The key is to find a balance between being fully engaged in each task while still maintaining a sense of flow in your work. When you strum a chord, give it your all, but also keep in mind the bigger picture and the flow of your work. Consistency and focus are the keys to reaching your full potential and achieving your big goals.
One way to move from just surviving to truly thriving is to find the flow of life and follow your intuition. Already, I’ve been able to tap into this flow and I’m excited to see where it takes me in my journey.
The Importance of Discipline
Discipline is a critical factor in achieving our goals and reaching our full potential. It is often the missing piece that keeps us from moving forward and overcoming life’s shortcomings. We know what needs to be done, but putting it into action can be a challenge.
“Master yourself, master the enemy.” This quote from Lee Sin encapsulates the importance of self-discipline in overcoming our own obstacles and limitations. I understand this all too well, as I’ve struggled with getting in my own way. I’m always wrestling with a cascade of thoughts before acting. Procrastination and the fear of inadequacy are common hurdles, but they can be overcome with discipline.
“Just do it.” This famous slogan from Nike reminds us that sometimes, the best thing we can do is to take action. We can’t let our thoughts and fears hold us back. Reading Zen Guitar has been a personal challenge for me, but I find time for it because I enjoy it . I can feel the positive impact it has on my life.
Philip Toshio reminds us that it’s not enough to simply take action. To truly succeed, we must put our whole heart and soul into it. As he says, “If you’re going to do something, do it right.” This applies to all aspects of life, from drawing and playing guitar to uploading content. To reach our full potential, we must truly want it and pour our hearts into improving.
The Realization of Surviving vs Thriving
The realization that I was simply surviving and not truly thriving hit me before a major life event. As I walked through the halls of my workplace, I was constantly surrounded by the sounds of skilled musicians. The works of talented artists also hung over my head. Although I had accepted my lack of skill and talent in these areas, a moment of envy struck me during the Christmas Concert.
After the successful production, the drama teacher gave her flower acceptance speech, which included tears of gratitude. Hearing her express her love for her job was a powerful moment for me. I realized that I liked my job – it provided decent pay, valuable skills, and good benefits – but I didn’t love it. The thought that I, too, deserved to love my job, instead of just surviving, was a turning point for me.
Doing What Needs to Be Done
My friend Moacir sent me a message.
“I saw this and I thought you’d be perfect for it”
As a car enthusiast, I was thrilled to meet Moacir after discovering his car exportation business in Nagano, Japan. My passion for Japanese cars was one of the reasons I came to Japan. Perhaps it could be a reason for me to stay. But entering the job market can be a daunting experience. From updating your resume to filling out application forms, and researching positions and companies, the job search process can be overwhelming.
One of the biggest fears of applying for jobs is the dreaded rejection message or being ignored completely. Receiving a rejection email can be painful and discouraging, making you feel like you’re not good enough. However, it’s important to remember that finding the right job is not just about what you can bring to the table. There should be a company that values and appreciates you for who you are.
That’s where Moacir’s message comes in. He reminded me that following my passion is more important than my fear of being rejected. He encouraged me to pursue what I love and not let the fear of rejection hold me back. I realized that finding a job I love is worth doing all this work. It wasn’t enough for me to just have a job anymore, I wanted a fulfilling and purposeful career.
It’s easy to get caught up in the negativity of rejection and the job search process, but it’s essential to remember that finding the right job is a journey, not just a destination. And wow leaving my home country and coming to Japan has been a journey so far.
Embracing Change
As I reflect on my journey in the job market, I’ve come to realize just how much I’ve grown in the past five years. It wasn’t until I began my job search that I realized the extent of my personal and professional growth. Although progress may have seemed slow day by day, looking back now I can see just how far I’ve come.
One of the biggest changes I’ve undergone is learning to love and accept myself. This newfound self-confidence has allowed me to create an updated resume, cover letter, and portfolio website. Although landing the job would have been fantastic, what was more important was that I took the first step towards thriving instead of just surviving.
Should I get the opportunity for an interview, I’m confident in my professional experience, skills, and newfound self-assurance to negotiate for a higher salary. But the journey to get here wasn’t easy, it took a lot of self-reflection, failures, and counseling to get to this point.
Change is inevitable in life, but I was ready to make the change from survival to thriving. Are you?
Much love <3 LaidbackMarco
