Joining Hands with Emotions

The Winter Olympics have begun, and I was watching the figure skating team event, the women's short program, on TV.

My attention was on American skater Alysa Liu.
Her innocent, radiant smile from the moment she entered was impressive.

She retired once and has now returned to the rink.
She enjoys skating more than anyone else, and I couldn't take my eyes off her freshness and sophisticated expression.

The final skater was Kaori Sakamoto.
In contrast to Liu, her expression was stiff, and she looked as if she were carrying a heavy burden.

She is Japan's ace, having announced her retirement after this season.
She is also in a position to lead the team in the team event.
The pressure on her must be immeasurable.

But if she is nervous, she doesn't force a smile.
If she is carrying a burden, she wears the face of someone carrying it.

I really like that feeling of not lying to oneself in that way.

Sakamoto's performance was a masterpiece.
Not only her dynamic jumps, but also the step sequence after successfully landing all of them.

The energy that had been tightly compressed was suddenly released, and it pierced through the screen to synchronize with my own heart as I watched.

In the interview after her performance, Sakamoto said this:

“I was able to maintain good focus within a state of good tension.”

For her, tension is not an enemy,
but something to be harnessed to achieve focus.

Tension. Impatience. Anxiety.

These are often thought of as emotions to be avoided, but—
if you remove the 'negative' filter for a moment,
they might actually be the fuel that helps you focus or drives you forward.

When I feel anxious and on the verge of a panic attack, I sometimes clean the bathroom or the toilet with all my might.

At times like that, I am surprisingly productive.
Before I know it, the whole house is sparkling clean
……well, maybe not quite that far.

It is certain that even the emotion of 'anxiety,' which I usually think of as an enemy, can become a force that moves me depending on how I use it.

Perhaps emotions are not something to be divided into 'good if positive' and 'bad if negative,'
but rather something we might consider from the perspective of how to utilize them.

Like tension and focus.
Like anxiety and action.

Because there is frustration, we can make an effort.
We are purified by the tears of sadness.
Because there is pain, we can be kind to others.
Knowing despair gives birth to gratitude.

If the scenery you see
changes over time...

“In the end, no matter what happens, it will be okay.”

I can think that way, just a little bit.