Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Life Conspires

たからむ (takaramu) - To plot or scheme

I originally set up my old blog to write about my experience living in Tokyo. Unfortunately, it really isn't relevant any more given that I am no longer in Japan, so I've decided to make a fresh start. Life is a tough thing to predict. I'm only 26 and yet I can't even count the number of twists and turns my life has taken already. It could be a lack of focus or clear goals on my part, but every time I think I know what I want out of life something changes that shifts the equation.

Four years ago, I got a job offer to work in Japan. At the time, that was the dream and I took it. For all I knew, I might never have another opportunity like that in my life and I couldn't say no. I'm not sure what I expected going into it, or if I even had any expectations at all, but it was one helluva an experience. In all honesty, I'm still not sure I was ready for it to end, but my career got in the way.

I had a very respectable job, one that very few foreigners ever get a shot at in Japan. It had it's good moments but, as time passed, I grew more and more discontent with the work. Though it had opened the door to Japan for me, it wasn't what I wanted to do for the rest of my life and knowing that became a heavier and heavier burden. While there were a number of factors that played into the decision to take a new direction, there were two quotes I heard that stuck in my head.

I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something. - Steve Jobs

For what it's worth: it's never too late ... to be whoever you want to be. There's no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you're proud of. And if you find that you're not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again. -The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

There was a lot to like about my life in Japan, but it had me on a long term trajectory that I didn't want. After taking stock of my options, I ultimately settled on returning to the US to get an MBA. I have an idea of where I want to be in the short- to mid-term, but I'm still working on figuring out what should come after that. Then again, deciding now might not even really be that important in the end.

I've named this blog "Life Conspires" because, from what I've seen, no matter how much you plan and map out your future, life usually seems to have a different idea all together. When I decided to leave the US four years ago, I never would have pictured myself where I am today. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see life throw me another curve ball in the next few years as well. I just hope it makes for a good adventure along the way.

1 comment:

  1. Sweet man, looking forward to new updates from you on this new blog :D

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