"Man is a thinking reed"—The power to move forward while embracing imperfection

"Man is a thinking reed."

Do you know these words left behind by the 17th-century philosopher Blaise Pascal?

When I first heard them, I honestly felt they were a bit difficult to grasp. But now, these words have become a pillar of support for my heart.
In particular, I find myself recalling them whenever I feel lost in the process of aiming for FIRE, raising my children, or managing my blog.

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Weakness is the very "beginning" of being human

A "reed" is a thin, soft plant that grows by the water's edge.

It sways as soon as the wind blows, and it breaks easily when a storm comes. Like such a reed, humans are also somewhat imperfect, fragile, and limited beings.

But Pascal found "value" in that.

He said, "Man is a thinking reed."

Not just a reed, but a "thinking" reed.

In other words, even if we are weak, even if we worry, and even if we fail, we are "beings capable of thinking."

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The "power to think" moves life forward

People will inevitably feel lost as they live their lives.

・I lack confidence in my investment decisions
・Things don't go as planned with child-rearing
・I feel like giving up because my blog isn't growing

I experience these things every single day.
Even though I continue to save steadily while aiming for FIRE, there are times when market crashes make me anxious.
There are times when I don't know how to face my children.
And there are days when I see no response to my blog no matter how much I write.

The reason I can still continue is because I have the "power to think."

・Where should I allocate my funds this month?
・What is the "true voice" my child is seeking?
・How can I write articles that reach the hearts of my readers?

To keep thinking. To worry. To keep your mind active even while feeling lost.

Pascal's words teach us that this is our dignity and the power that allows us to move forward.

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The courage to embrace "imperfection"

There is no such thing as a perfect person.
Rather, it is precisely because we carry weaknesses and anxieties somewhere within us that we can be kind and grow.

Taking on the challenge of FIRE, facing the realities of child-rearing, and continuing to write a blog steadily—
Everything is an activity of being a "thinking reed."

To walk forward one step at a time while swaying in the wind, thinking with your own mind, and feeling with your heart.
I believe that repeating this process is what enriches life.

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In conclusion | Being someone who can stand up again even when swayed by the wind

"Man is a thinking reed."

These words do not blame us for being imperfect and weak.
Rather, it is a message that gently pushes us forward, saying, "You have the strength to keep moving forward despite that."

Even if you are blown by the wind and feel like you might fall, you can stand up again on your own.
To continue being such a "thinking reed," I want to keep thinking and worrying while continuing to walk my own path.

You will be fine, too.
No matter how much you sway, the "power to think" within you will carve out your path.