There is no need to feel rushed by those who appear to be running: A way of life where 'just walking' brings change

A friend said this to me.

"Mako-san, you keep running and running, don't you?"

Honestly, it didn't click. From my perspective, I had no intention of running at all. I even blurted out, "Huh? I'm not running..."

Today, I'd like to think about "people who appear to be running."

Running as a metaphor for change and growth

The "running" my friend refers to is likely not physical exercise, but rather a metaphor for life changes, growth, and challenges. I think they used the expression "running" to describe seeing me start new things, update my values, and change my environment.

It is true that over the past few years, after taking early retirement, I have had more new activities and encounters.

However, in my own experience, it feels closer to "walking"—and a gentle-paced "stroll" at that. That is the impression I have.

Every morning, I actually take a slow walk through Inokashira Park, and I have the impression that I am living my life at the speed of a slow stroll as well.

"People who are running" as seen by me

There are people I think of as "running." They are vibrant, full of curiosity, and their days are a series of changes. Some are sprinting at full speed, while others are jogging.

I feel this way based on a subjective comparison with myself. At the very least, I perceive them as changing at a faster speed than my own rate of change.

Yes, this is a comparison.

What they all have in common is that, regardless of speed, everyone is moving forward. Since I started thinking about happiness from multiple perspectives, I have realized the importance of avoiding comparisons with others.

There is no need to compare our speed of growth either. Even if you do compare, it would be fine as long as you never feel that you are inferior.

The world as seen by "those who stand still"

Returning to the story of my friend at the beginning,
why did I 'appear to be running'?

It is likely because, compared to him, my speed of change appeared faster. However, I was not running; I was walking slowly.

This means that,
perhaps he himself is standing still.

When you remain motionless, even if the person next to you is just walking slowly, it might look as if they are running. It is merely the difference in relative speed that makes it appear that way.

And furthermore, rather than just standing still, from my perspective, it even looked like he was 'moving backward'.

The flow of the times and society is moving forward slowly. The global economic growth rate is 3%. Just by being on a conveyor belt that matches the economic growth rate, you are moving forward slowly at 3 km/h.

The person who sees me as running is not just standing still; he is running in reverse on the conveyor belt. Since he is going against the flow and moving backward, that requires a considerable amount of energy.

The reason life might feel difficult is perhaps because he is using extra physical strength to run in reverse.

Actually, I am just 'riding the flow'

I described myself as 'moving forward,' but to be precise, perhaps I am just 'entrusting myself to the flow of the times.'

Assuming the world is moving like a conveyor belt at 3 km/h, if you walk naturally to match it—or rather, just by being on it—change and growth will inevitably occur.

I am not making any special effort, but just by 'moving,' I can definitely meet a version of myself that is different from the one a year ago. This is a kind of joy and also a discovery.

The fact that the world you see changes

What is important here is that by 'moving,' the world you see changes.

The figures of those who appear to be 'running' from my perspective do not seem to be visible to him, as he is standing still. Those whose speed of change is too fast may not even enter his field of vision.

I think this is similar to the feeling of being able to see things you couldn't see before when you place yourself in a new environment or stage. The world looks like a completely different thing depending on where you stand.

You can change by 'just walking'

Sometimes, it is important to stop. It is necessary for confirming your position and grasping the situation accurately.

However, that is an action to be taken when someone running at full speed loses sight of their surroundings; it is different from someone who is not acting at all and not changing, making excuses to justify themselves by saying, 'I am stopping to grasp the situation.'

How long are you going to keep standing still? If you stay there forever, you might end up unable to see anything at all.

If you look at someone and feel they are 'running,' it might not be that they are particularly fast, but rather that you haven't moved for a while.

If you start walking, even just a little, you will see a different view. You don't have to run; a walking pace is enough. Go with the flow and take a step forward. I believe that the continuation of that is what creates change and growth.

Mako-san's note, a similar article ↓

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