I don't want you to live someone else's answer, I want you to live your own

There is something I have kept asking you all.

Write not just to convey, but to be understood.

Assignments were handed to you one after another, saying, 'Yes, here you go.'

Planning that.
What I wanted you to notice from the first session to the sixth.
That was 'What is the self?'—

Copywriter Kotaro Abe's final lecture has begun.

On October 5, 2019, at BUKATSUDO in Minatomirai, Yokohama, we bring you the report of the 6th (final) session of 'Word Planning.'

This day came after spending a special half-year together.

◎ Facing assignments brings your true self to the surface.

Basically, there were three questions when planning.

'Three important questions in planning'
● Does it make the other person happy?
● Does it make me happy?
● Is it something I truly want to do?

① The number of times you ask yourself deepens your words
'I don't want you to live someone else's answer, I want you to live your own.'

The importance of self-questioning.
The situation currently placed before you is one that only you in the whole world are facing. How do you deal with it? You must come up with the answer yourself.

② Facing others brings your true self to the surface.
By seeing and hearing opinions other than your own,
I want you to think, 'This part is good, so let's develop it further.'
There is no comparing with others, nor is there any ranking.
Rather than looking at that, being aware of the reasons for your choices was important.

'What is more important than ranking, noticing the individuality of planning, and being able to be yourself with peace of mind'

An environment where you can be yourself is good. In Word Planning, I tried to create time, space, and an environment where you could feel that it is okay to express your own thoughts.

◎ 'Meeting the other person that is yourself'

Thinking that a statement doesn't sound like you.

It is okay to change, and it is okay to make changes. Changing is growing.
And, because being yourself never changes.
You can never escape the existence that is you.

Cherish yourself with the feeling of moving the person that is you.
That doesn't mean spoiling yourself, nor being harsh, but gradually understanding the other person that is yourself.

'People can choose their words. By doing so, people can choose their lives. They can choose their future.'
You have gathered around the words I spoke, and now this place exists.
That means choosing the future.

Presentations by 26 planning students

In the final session, 26 planning students gave presentations.

I could feel the strength of each individual in the presentations, where the things they wanted to convey were poured into their words.

The passion received from these 26 people must surely be passed on to someone else. It must be contagious.

Some spoke about their future goals, while others performed a rap about what they saw when they faced their own weaknesses.

Some read letters filled with love, while others spoke while looking at their present selves from their past selves.

No one said they wanted to get rid of their embarrassment or their flaws.After accepting all of their weaknesses, they used them as a stepping stone to go and meet a new version of themselves.

What I saw at the very end, throughout all six sessions, was the moment everyone found the 'answer within themselves.' They had firmly grasped the intention Mr. Abe spoke of at the beginning and were looking powerfully toward what lay beyond.

Also, there was a presentation from Mr. Abe!

I want to create a sense of unity with words that have warmth.

Not a sense of unity that creates divisions, but one where overlaps increase. There are many times when we feel weakness and pain. But when you feel those things,I believe it means you are standing up to something big, or facing something.I want to cherish my own unique weaknesses.

Presentation of the Project Anthology

There was a surprise here! To help them remember, the essays submitted as the final assignment were presented as a single anthology, given in a ceremony.

A gift prepared by Mr. Abe and the secretariat. Each person's name was called, and a graduation certificate ceremony was held.

And then, a surprise from the project students too! They presented a graduation album they had been secretly working on.

Thank you for your hard work over the past six months. I hope this project continues for a long time. I want to keep it going. Please dedicate your life to making yourself happy.

Finally

With these words from Mr. Abe, the six-part "Words Project 2019" has come to an end.
Although the 2019 Words Project has ended, I felt a power that suggests each of our paths will continue from here.

This is not the end, but the beginning. I hope that all the project participants will use what they have challenged themselves with over the past six months as a springboard to jump far and high.

I have also been writing these reports to convey the energy of that place.

Hoping that it has reached all of you who have been reading, I would like to conclude the report for "Words Project 2019."

Thank you for reading until the end!

Writer/Design: Hello May
Photography: Shusuke Oda

*Notice*

On 11/3 (Sun, Holiday), we will hold the "Planning Festival ~Time with Steam~". It is a "Planning Festival" seriously planned by adults where you can eat, drink, watch, learn, laugh, and dance. Please come and join us!