Happy Writing Marathon #8 - It's okay to take off your armor. A book healed by the words of 'Karuizawa'
Hello, this is haRu*☽.
I am participating in Ken Honda's "Happy Writing Marathon".
The eighth topic is “What is a book you read recently that you thought was really good?” is.
I organize my bookshelf from time to time, but—
a phenomenon that happens almost every time is the "start reading a book that suddenly caught my attention while organizing" phenomenon. lol
Recently, when I was tidying up my bookshelf like that, there was one book that caught my eye and I picked it up without thinking.
That book resonated deeply with me when I bought it, but it still holds words that stay close to me today, or rather, even more gently than before.
It is a book published by Karuizawa Kogen Church called “You are fine just as you are”.
Karuizawa is a very special place for me.
I have visited almost every year since I was zero years old, and it is deeply etched in my family's memories.
Karuizawa Kogen Church, and the Stone Church nearby, are places I especially love.
They are among the places I always stop by when I go to Karuizawa.
During the Candle Night held in the summer, it is also exceptional to be able to spend a quiet time wrapped in magical light.
Recently, I have even seen advertisements for the church on trains in the city center, and the words added along with the beautiful photos help to relax my heart.
In this book, words that resonate with the heart are written along with photos of such Karuizawa scenery and the chapel.
For example—
“Your value is yourself.
It has continued to shine brightly, unchanged since the moment you let out your first cry.”
“If only this happened, I could be happy”
Instead of searching for things you don't have yet,
first, find the value you have had from the beginning yourself.
This is the path that will make your life more attractive.
Being able to admit your own weaknesses.
Accepting the weaknesses of others.
Those who can do that are stronger than anything else.
Every time I turn the page, I find myself tearing up—
the many words that soak into my heart.
Photos and words.
The simple composition and the soft white space... that is also comfortable.
'Someday, I hope I can publish a book with an atmosphere like this...'
With that small wish, it has become a precious book to me.
This time, the passage that left a deep impression on my heart was this one.
The 'armor' we have layered on without realizing it as we go through life.
Taking it off is surprisingly difficult.
Because the moment you take it off, you will surely feel insecure.
But your value does not lie in the armor you wear,
it lies in the real you, who has nothing.
You don't always have to show a smart version of yourself.
Is there a place where you can be your true self?
I, too, have reached an age where the phrase 'going through life' feels like it applies to me as well.
And I think there is probably still some 'armor' I haven't been able to take off yet...
That is precisely why I felt it would be wonderful to cultivate a 'place where I can be my true self'—
a place other than my home.
Perhaps this place, note, might become one of those places for me...
It was a sentiment that made me think about that as well.
When your heart feels tightly closed, or on a sleepless night—
this is a book that will gently stay by your side.
If you'd like, please pick it up.
haRu*☽
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