Whose map are you walking with right now?

Are you walking with your own map right now?

"A map? What do you mean?"

If you thought that, please give me just a moment of your time. When you see the answer to this question—the true nature of the pain you have felt until now will surely become clear.

*If you are in a hurry as usual, please read from the manga below.

Beyond "This wasn't supposed to happen"

"This wasn't supposed to happen"

I think you, too, have probably muttered these words in your heart at least once.

Marital relationships, work, family, money, yourself—. Even if the situation is different, the emotion behind those words is always the same.

The life I envisioned is different from reality. I didn't get what I expected. I thought someone, or something, would make me happy.

But—is that really so?

The life you envisioned that "should have been"—was that really what you wanted?

Before we know it, we are handed "someone else's map"

From the moment we are born, we are handed various "maps."

From parents. From school. From society. From the times.

"You'll be happy if you get married." "You'll be secure if you join a good company." "Children should do as their parents say." "Money solves everything." "If I can become the ideal self I should be—"

All of these are maps that someone handed to us as the "correct answer."

There is no malice. In fact, most of them were handed to us out of love.

But—that is not your map.

You have walked with all your might, holding someone else's map. But you have always felt a sense of discomfort somewhere. When things didn't go as planned, you blamed the person who gave you that map—or perhaps yourself.

The true nature of "this wasn't supposed to happen" actually lies here.

You get lost because you are trying to walk using someone else's map. That is all there is to it.

Two ways to use 'someone else's map'

When we are handed someone else's map, we generally follow one of two patterns.

Pattern A: Trusting that map and continuing to walk

'My parents said it, so it must be right.' 'Everyone else is doing it, so I should too.'

The result of walking without doubt—one day you suddenly realize: 'Wait, where am I?' 'This isn't where I wanted to go.'

Pattern B: Rebelling against that map and choosing someone else's map

'I don't want to be like my parents.' 'I want to live like that person.'

Even though you intended to rebel—before you know it, you are holding someone else's map. Without having your own map, you get lost again.

Both patterns have the same root cause.

You have not yet obtained your own map.

Your map has been inside you from the very beginning

Here, I would like to tell you something important.

Your map—you haven't lost it.

It has just been hidden underneath someone else's map all along.

From the moment you were born, you have already hada map that is yours alone.

A temperament unlike anyone else's. A talent unlike anyone else's. A rhythm of life unlike anyone else's.

That is your map.

But, while layering map upon map from others—you have become unable to see your own.

That is why 'this isn't how it was supposed to be' arises. That is why you want to blame someone else. That is why you want to blame yourself.

It is not because you are weak. It is not because you are no good.

It is just that you lost sight of your own map.

Two ways to reclaim your map

To reclaim your own map—there are two methods I always share.

The first is 'Happiness Accumulation' (Sachi-tsumi).

Simply write down the small 'good things' and 'things you have' that are here right now in a notebook every day.

Instead of the 'correct answers' written on someone else's map— you accumulate 'the small joys I actually felt today.'

As you continue this, you will gradually begin to see what you truly value, rather than someone else's 'correct answer'.

The second is to open 'your own map' using Four Pillars of Destiny.

The chart of Four Pillars of Destiny is—the map unique to you that was etched into the sky the moment you were born.

What kind of temperament were you born with? What talents are lying dormant? Where are you walking in your life at this very moment? When and what kind of wind will blow?

All of that is engraved in the map called a chart.

When these two come together—you can prepare the foundation of 'here and now' through Happiness Accumulation, while confirming your 'own unique direction' with the map that is your chart.

The moment will surely come when 'this wasn't supposed to happen' turns into 'this was my path all along.'

The manga starts here.

About this series

In this 'This is not how it was supposed to be' series, I will share the true nature of the 'this is not how it was supposed to be' feelings we experience in various situations in life, along with tips on how to break free from them.

You can start reading from any episode. Please begin with the one that makes you think, 'This is about me.'

May your journey through life be one where you walk freely along a path filled with light, using your very own map. (.-人-.)✨
Love & Peace💕

Click here for the 'This is not how it was supposed to be' series👇