Words I 'dislike' are 'important' words

Thinking about 'words' vol.03

The opposite of love is indifference. Like and dislike are two sides of the same coin.

I think this is true for words as well.
To 'dislike' something actually means you are incredibly concerned about it. And, words that were unpleasant when said to me, I remember just as well as the words I like.

I once asked Asako Tsuji, who specializes in creative approaches to social issues, where she finds the seeds for her creativity. 'I cherish the feelings of anger and sadness I feel while watching the news every day, and I make sure to remember them. I cry often. Because those emotions become a strong driving force to want to solve problems and change something.'

I used to think it was better to quickly and cleanly discard unpleasant things, and that anger and sadness were 'negative' elements, so it was better not to feel them at all. But after hearing Ms. Tsuji's words, my way of thinking changed.

'Dislike'
'Boring'
'Frustrating'
'Angry'
'Want to run away'
emotions
become the power that drives me to correct the 'absurdities' in my life.

The company I work for now is my third.
I still remember the words said to me at the very first company I joined as a new graduate.

'You just need to do what you're told'

Even though we were doing the same work, when I asked my boss why only the female employees were made to serve tea every time.
'Because it's nicer to have a girl pour the tea, right?'

I felt so much indignation, and no matter how I twisted it, I couldn't think of it as right. It was so frustrating and unpleasant, and for some reason, I couldn't stop the tears.

I absolutely did not want to work like that. I hated being made to serve tea just because I was a woman, and I hated working like a robot.

That wasn't the only reason, but I quit the company, studied abroad, and changed jobs. I won't go to places where it's taken for granted that women serve tea, and I won't work at companies where people who don't think and act for themselves are valued. And, I want to interact as much as possible with people who don't discriminate based on gender and who think and act for themselves.

The words I dislike stick to me and won't let go, but
they have become the driving force that leads me to a place where I can be more like myself.

A peer from my word planning course taught me this about branding.

Branding is deciding what 'not to do'

Words you dislike are similar to branding.