Dear friends,
How have you been lately?
I guess everything is working out for you. As, I hope everything will soon work out for me. Life often feels like a relentless forward march. We’re constantly chasing goals, responding to demands, and planning for the next big thing. Life is always moving forward, isn’t it? But what if one of the most powerful and beautiful thing for our growth lies not in moving forward, but in gently looking back? Let me talk about the Japanese concept of Kaerimiru (顧みる).

Kaerimiru means “to look back on”, “to reflect on” or “to review.” This is a deliberate act of introspection, a slow and delicate moment that dedicated to review one’s life and experiences. This word doesn’t explicitly denote sadness, but it has a hint of sadness when it’s often used in contexts where one is considering past mistakes, missed opportunities, or the passage of time – carrying an inherent hint of melancholy or regret.

Have you ever thought about the pause moments in your life? Like, hitting the “pause” button on your memory record. Instead of racing ahead, you take a step back, you then turn around, surveying the path you’ve passed.

What decisions did you make?
What did you learn from your mistakes?
Who was the person you gave all your heart to?
What relationships have faded?
Answer these questions honestly. This isn’t about dwelling in self-pity, but a quiet appraisal.

Without reflection, experiences remain just that. Kaerimiru transforms them into lessons, allowing us to identify patterns, understand consequences, and make more informed choices going forward. But don’t forget to reflect on your happy moments as well. Looking back often highlights moments of joy, personal triumphs that might have been forgotten in the rush of daily life.

We can always feel the rush in our daily life and hardly find a quiet moment to look back on. In our busy lives, carving out time for Kaerimiru might seem like a luxury. But isn’t it important? It could be a quiet walk, journaling, or simply sitting in silence for a few minutes each day, week, or month. It’s in these moments of turning inward of Kaerimiru. From this act that we gain perspective, find wisdom, and truly understand the tapestry of our own lives. It’s how we transform the past into a guide for a more mindful and purposeful future.