That's fine just the way it is (^^)

Exhausted by everything, finding everything a chore, feeling like you have no value, and that you're just a burden to everyone around you.

Have you ever been trapped by thoughts like that?

Perhaps those who have never eaten bread while crying do not know the true taste of life.

We are very imperfect human beings, aren't we?

Because we are imperfect, we fail all the time ^^;

But we learn (^^)

We resolve not to make the same mistake twice.

Even so, there are not a few times when we make the same mistake again ^^;

Because we are foolish and imperfect ^^;

At times like that, I still end up feeling a bit of self-loathing (phew~)

And then, I resolve once again, undeterred, not to make the same mistake a third time.

In the midst of that repetition, we improve little by little.

It may be little by little, but still, improvement is improvement, right (^^)

I wonder if there is anyone who is a perfect human being, untroubled by the past.

That's why, instead of cheering you on, it's okay to just take a little break.

I want to tell you that it's perfectly fine not to try so hard (^^)

In fact, there are times in this world when any words of comfort sound like empty platitudes, and only time can provide a solution.

Waiting patiently for time to pass means being exposed to pain for a long period, which takes a lot of courage.

But you know.

The act of "waiting" is a very important thing.

“Waiting” doesn't mean you're doing nothing.

The act of “waiting” itself is already a noble action, isn't it?

If you can think of it that way, there is nothing that cannot be undone.

Since it's your own past, I think it's perfectly fine to take a good rest, and once your strength returns, reclaim it however you like (^^)

“God gave us memory.”

The poet James Barrie also said that it is so we can imagine June roses during the harsh winter of our lives.

Also, please be careful, as worrying too much is a terrible “time thief.”

Trying to solve problems that cannot be solved will corner you mentally, but if you change your perspective and adopt an attitude of facing the problem and learning from it, even if it's painful, it will lead to progress.

If you can think that there is a way of living where you don't try to solve problems, but instead face them, learn something, and keep living, then when one door closes, you just have to look for another one. That's all there is to it (^^)

“It's okay to have regrets

It's okay to start over

It's okay to fail

It's okay to face it

It's okay to look forward” (from “Ee-nen” by Ulfuls)

There have been times when I felt so useless, pathetic, and wanted to disappear.

Why is it wrong to die?

Why must I live?

With those thoughts swirling in my heart, I couldn't do anything.

But there were also times when I tried to stay strong, thinking that at the very least, I shouldn't cry and cause others to worry.

There were also times when I felt truly pathetic and helpless, like I was throwing everything away and just walking away.

At times like that, I want to become a king of defiant rage, shouting 'Hurray for bad luck!', and transform my tragedy into a comedy—no, a farce.

If you have been abandoned by the goddess of fortune and fallen into the lowest depths of this world, all that remains is hope.

As Shakespeare said, 'There is nothing to be anxious about!', right? (Grin)

Oh, that's right, the fifth Kokontei Shinsho also said something similar.

'Poverty isn't something you just endure. It's something you savor.' (I see, that makes sense~)

'Boasting of Poverty' (Chikuma Bunko) by Kokontei Shinsho, edited by Teiji Kojima

To 'savor' means to enjoy, to taste, and to use as nourishment for life.

To 'savor' in the sense of learning an art form.

To have a taste for tea.

To 'savor' in the sense of liking something and setting your heart on it.

To enjoy a drink.

To 'savor' in the sense of correcting one's attitude and being modest.

To take care of one's appearance.

For example, even if that thing is poverty.

Even if it is adversity.

It must be important to live as if you are savoring it—with passion, with care, and with modesty.

Master Shinsho's words also sound like, 'Life and everything else is just something to be savored.'

'Oh, I am so unlucky,'—there are many times we feel that way, aren't there? ^^;

But you know.

Yes, it's fine to lament, but instead of just standing still, try saying something like, 'Well, well, another difficult challenge, isn't it? How shall we handle this one?' (^^)

Like one of your hobbies.

Like a challenge that arose from something you love.

Try changing your perspective, try substituting things, and while remaining humble, be passionate, be particular (as if it were an art form of life), and face it head-on.

I feel like it's teaching us that if we do that, life will surely turn into something good (^^)

"It's fine even if you have nothing

It's fine as long as you believe

It's fine even if there's no meaning

It's fine as long as you feel something

You don't need anything else

It's fine even if you're pathetic

It's fine if you try shouting

Bitter tears are fine too

It's fine if they spill out

It's fine if you take a little break" (from 'Eenen' by Ulfuls)

Don't you think it would be nice if we could gracefully enjoy all these different kinds of 'it's fine'?

[Bonus]

Kokontei Shinsho's 'Poverty Anecdote'

When I have business and go out, a friend comes from the other direction, so I give them a pat on the back and say,

'Hey! Poverty God, where are you going?'

And when I call out like that,

"Yeah, I'm on my way to your place right now."

Muttering about what an annoying guy he was, he finished his business and on his way home,

the same friend from before came by again, so

this time, stroking his back, he asked,

"Oh, God of Good Fortune, where are you off to now?"

and when he asked,

"Oh, I just came out of your place."

Kokontei Shinsho "Waka Sanjin" (a rare performance piece)

Walking the stage of the rakugo "Waka Sanjin"