I guess I do have my own worth after all

I had some business to attend to at a client's place early this morning.
I realized I hadn't been there in nearly five months.
Early this morning, I stopped by a client’s place on an errand.
I realized I hadn’t been there for almost five months.

I thought no one would be around, but some of the craftsmen had already come in early.
They all gathered around me.
I thought no one would be around, but some of the craftsmen had already come in early.
They all gathered around me.

“Aniki, long time no see!
We heard you were seriously injured, so we were wondering if you might quit… we were all talking about it.
We’re really glad you came back.”
“Aniki, long time no see!
We heard you were seriously injured, so we were wondering if you might quit… We’re really glad you came back.”


We don’t even see each other that often, and yet they felt that way about me…That made me genuinely happy.
We don’t even see each other that often, and yet they felt that way about me…
That made me genuinely happy.


As I was about to drive off after finishing my business, one of them came running up to me.“Sorry, it’s just this…” he said, handing me a can of coffee.
As I was about to drive off after finishing my business, one of them came running up to me.
“Sorry, it’s just this…” he said, handing me a can of coffee.


It’s those small gestures that really mean a lot.It’s those small gestures that really mean a lot.




When I got back to the office, the acting president stopped me.“About what we talked about the other day—what do you think?
Personally, I believe it’s a role only you can fill, Aniki.”
When I got back to the office, the acting president stopped me.
“About what we talked about the other day—what do you think?

Personally, I believe it’s a role only you can fill, Aniki.”
(My recent article)

He made that offer fully understanding my free-spirited nature and the other work I’m involved in.
He made that offer fully understanding my free-spirited nature and the other work I’m involved in.

It would mean working a few more days than I do now, but the role itself feels meaningful and worth taking on.
It would mean working a few more days than I do now,
but the role itself feels meaningful and worth taking on.

If what I am—my personality, my way of thinking, and the skills I’ve built—are truly needed and valued, then I won’t hesitate to put in even more effort and creativity.
If what I am—my personality, my way of thinking, and the skills I’ve built—
are truly needed and valued,
then I won’t hesitate to put in even more effort and creativity.

As long as my worth is recognized.
As long as my worth is recognized.