Thoughts from a Spring Walk: Navigating Family, Work, and AI
Today, I went for an evening walk with my dog. Cherry blossoms have started blooming in various places, and I've been changing up my walking route to enjoy this spring scenery. Amidst the sounds of the wind and passing trains, while soaking in the refreshing air, I'd like to write down what I'm feeling right now.
Changes in my family after my father's retirement
Today, my father was on my mind. After retiring about a year ago, he spent his time relatively freely, but starting this April, he joined a local organization for seniors, helping with tasks like mowing grass and working in rice paddies.
It's only been about ten days since he started, but he's already busier than expected. He goes out on days he's supposed to be off, comes home promptly at noon for lunch prepared by my mother, and seeks dinner early because he's exhausted from physical labor...
I feel that the calm atmosphere of our home before his retirement is starting to turn into a tense one. My mother also mentioned that when she was a little late with lunch, he got angry at her, saying, 'It's past 12 o'clock, isn't it?'
Work that isn't for money and family relationships
I don't think my father started this job because he needed the money. He probably started it because he had some time on his hands and thought it would be nice to have something to do. But it seems he couldn't say no to more work than he anticipated, and the accumulated fatigue is manifesting in his interactions with the family.
Seeing this, I realize that work really can change the atmosphere of a home. Working while enduring things just for the sake of money robs people of their composure and affects those around them... that's the kind of thing I find myself thinking about.
However, this thought might just be my own feelings projected onto my father. In reality, I haven't talked to him about this, so I don't know how he feels himself. He might be thinking, 'I'm just not used to it yet because I just started,' or perhaps, 'It's actually fun because I'm learning new things.'
Feelings projected onto oneself
Come to think of it, I've been a bit busy lately too. Even if not every day, I'm spending more time on work than before. Creating landing pages, preparing for the release of online courses, posting on Instagram, and so on...
In the end, feeling uneasy about how others live their lives might be because I have something to say to myself. 'You have to cherish what's important,' 'You have to be able to say no when you need to'—these might be words directed at me, not my father.
Cherry blossoms and family memories
During my walk, I went to see the cherry tree that was planted the year my niece was born. The flowers, which were still buds a few days ago, were about 40-50% in bloom today, and I was surprised at how fast they grow. The best time to see cherry blossoms is truly short. Just when you think they've started to bloom, they reach full bloom in the blink of an eye, and if you miss that, they start to scatter immediately...
Like these cherry blossoms, I want to make sure I don't miss the important moments in life. My father's current situation will surely adjust over time. It might be important to watch over him without worrying too much.
The balance between engaging with AI and real-life experience
Recently, I've been using ChatGPT and am surprised by its high capability. Having it think of captions for Instagram posts or summarizing large amounts of information in an instant... by actually using it, I understand well what AI can and cannot do.
For example, when I sent a photo of my dog and asked it to 'make it look like an illustration of him relaxing in front of a fireplace,' a wonderful illustration was created in no time. Through experiences like this, rather than a vague anxiety about 'having my job taken by AI,' I can see the difference between what AI is good at and what only humans can do.
However, it's also possible to get so absorbed in interacting with AI that you lose sight of the reality right in front of you. Today, while walking, I realized that because I was so focused on this podcast, I wasn't 100% feeling the beauty of the cherry blossoms or the comfort of the breeze. I might have even interacted less with my dog.
The balance between real experiences and digital life
From now on, I want to value the balance between digital tools for self-expression and work efficiency, and the time spent connecting with the nature right in front of me and the people I hold dear. After this podcast, I'm going to step away from my computer and spend some real, quality time with my dog.
Ultimately, perhaps what matters most in life is the time we spend feeling the beauty and the loved ones right before our eyes. Technology enriches our lives, but I want to make sure I don't get swept away by it and lose sight of what true richness really is.
I've arrived home, so I'm going to enjoy some real-world time now. I look forward to the day we can talk about many more things.
▼ I talk about this in more detail on my podcast, so please feel free to listen to that as well if you'd like.