A CREED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey... 　

I asked for health, that I might do greater things
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things...

I asked for riches, that I might be happy
I was given poverty, that I might be wise... 　

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God...

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life
I was given life, I might enjoy all things...

I got nothing that I asked for
- but everything I had hoped for
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am among all men, most richly blessed

Unknown

When I saw this poem, I was shocked. This poem was written on the wall of the New York State University Hospital, and although the author is unknown, it is said that it was probably written by a soldier who was injured by the war.

"I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for."
This is it. This is the truth.

That even if you just desire something, in the end nothing will change unless you take some action yourself, and that you have to let go of something in order to get something. And always be grateful for the environment you have now.

I may have mentioned this before, but what I have wanted and what I really wanted to do has actually almost already came true.

Living oversees, speaking English, working as a flight attendant, and becoming a Starbucks barista are all things that I have kept in my mind as "ambitions," even if only vaguely. They were things that I had wished for a long time, like a spell.

But the more I greed to them, the more they didn't come true. It is not to say that everything comes true if you wish for it, but rather, "If you make steady efforts with an honest heart, everything will come true according to your wish." It might be closer to saying, if you make a steady effort with an honest heart, everything will come true as you wish.

About a month ago, I was watching my niece's school play on live streaming on Youtube, and it made me realize something. (It's an amazing generation to be able to watch my niece's play on time even if I am overseas).

Her stage was the "Wizard of Oz," and the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Lion wanted "brains," "heart," and "courage," respectively. But after having adventures with Dorothy and defeating the Witch, Oz said, "The Scarecrow already had his wits about him, the Tin Woodman had his tears, and the Lion boldly stood up to the Witch. In other words, what you wanted, you already had." He said.

They were satisfied with the "brains of rice husks," "silken hearts," and "liquid courage," but I think what the author wanted to convey was that what we truly desire is not something that is given to us or fulfilled by others, but something that we cultivate and obtain on our own. This is something we tend to forget in life.

Just right now, I got text.
"You are a kind person, thank you for your kindness."
It was very sudden, so I asked "About what?"
Then he said "You just are."

Sometimes it is the simple words that make me happy. I love to talk with people, but I also love words that remain in the form of a letter. Texts can feel mechanical and cold, but with a letter, you can feel the person's thoughts through the pressure of their pen and the style of their writing. When people write a letter, I am thinking only of that person and putting my feelings into the pen, so I think that the words are warmer than text and reach my heart.

I'm getting off topic. But I want to spend every day being conscious of these important things in life.