大将軍の楽しい古典

Great General! I have arrived today! Please take good care of me from now on!

Hoo hoo hoo hoo... Everyone! There's a saying in the 'Tao Te Ching' (Lao Tzu): "He who knows contentment is rich." I want more. I want to aim higher. It's natural for humans to feel that way. But -- Let's also turn our eyes to what we have right now. The everyday things we take for granted. The people we can laugh with. Being able to spend today in good health. If you can realize "I'm grateful" for these things, your heart might just become much richer. So, everyone! What is something you think, "I'm happy because I have this"? Even small things are very welcome!

Hoo hoo hoo... Everyone! There's a teaching in "The Wisdom of a Master" (Saigon Dan) that goes like this: "When facing matters, one must be tolerant." Not everything goes as planned, you see. You might fail. You might worry. But -- Rather than blaming yourself endlessly, Thinking "So, what should I do next?" That too, is the strength to move forward! Failure is not the end. It's simply an experience to take the next step! Now then, everyone! Is there anything you've done recently that you thought, "I'm glad I did that!"? Please tell me about it!

Hoo hoo hoo... Everyone! Everyone makes mistakes, you know. Things don't go as planned, and you might regret thinking, "I should have done this back then..." But in the 'Analects of Confucius,' there's a saying: "To acknowledge a fault and not correct it, is to commit another fault." It's not the mistake itself that's the real fault, but rather, not correcting it even after realizing it――. In other words! If you fail, it's not the end. "Why did I fail?" "What should I do next time?" If you learn even one thing from it, that failure becomes the strength to move forward. Hoo hoo hoo... Now then, everyone. Is there anything you've learned from your past failures that you think, "I've really learned from this"?

Hoo hoo hoo... Everyone! It's so easy to notice others' flaws, isn't it? 'That person is lacking here.' 'Why can't they even do this simple thing?' You might find yourself thinking such thoughts. However, 'Caigen Tan' teaches us the importance of reflecting on ourselves rather than blaming others. It's easy to find fault in others. But it's difficult to recognize our own shortcomings. That's precisely why... When you get angry at someone, take just a moment to look back at your own heart. Just that might change how you interact with people. Hoo hoo hoo... Now then, everyone. Have you recently had a moment where you thought, 'I should be more careful too'?

Hee hee hee... Everyone! In 'The Wisdom of a Humble Administrator' (菜根譚), there's a saying: "Blame yourself with the same heart you blame others, And forgive others with the same heart you forgive yourself." We tend to be harsh on others' flaws, But lenient with our own mistakes. Humans are truly complicated beings, aren't they? That's precisely why, "Be strict with yourself, and lenient with others." Just keeping this in mind can perhaps change your relationships a little. Everyone, is there anything you hold dear in your relationships?

Hoo hoo hoo hoo... Everyone! There's a teaching in the 'Analects of Confucius' like this: "If the body be upright, authority will be maintained without giving orders." If you act rightly yourself, people will learn by watching your example, without you needing to say much. Rather than trying to change others, change yourself one step at a time first. Actions over words. Showing by example, rather than persuading. Perhaps that is the power that moves people's hearts! Now, I have a question for everyone! Has anyone here thought, "Seeing this person's example, I want to do my best too"? Please, tell me!

Hoo hoo hoo... Everyone! There's a saying in the 'Analects of Confucius': "Knowing is not as good as loving, and loving is not as good as enjoying." Someone who knows is not as strong as someone who loves. And someone who loves is not as strong as someone who enjoys—. When you start something, Sometimes you might try too hard, thinking, "I have to try harder." But listen! Those who are enjoying themselves turn even hardships into experience. Even if they fail, they laugh it off as "This is a learning experience too," and take another step forward. Strength isn't just about enduring. It's about maintaining a heart that feels "This is fun." This, too, is a great strength! Hoo hoo hoo... Now then, everyone. What is it that you truly feel "enjoyment" from right now?

Confucius once said: "The superior man seeks what he wants in himself; the mean man seeks it in others." This means that those in positions of leadership should first consider what they themselves can do! It's easy to find fault in others. But it's quite difficult to look at one's own flaws. Hehehe.... Before trying to change others, take a step to grow yourself first! Smile, greet, be considerate. Even small actions have the power to change your surroundings!!

Nfufufu... Everyone, listen well! It is certainly important to forge your own path. However, if you only advance yourself and push others aside, you cannot be called a true leader! If the path is narrow, yield a step! If opinions differ, listen to the other person first! Think about protecting each other's hearts rather than saving your own face! Yielding is not losing. It is because you have余裕 (yoyuu -余裕) in your heart that you can yield the way to others! Now, everyone! Today, try to have the heart to yield a step to someone! That one step will eventually build great trust between people! 'The size of a person's character is revealed in the heart that yields a step!' Nfufufu... Those who have the余裕 (yoyuu -余裕) to yield are the true great generals!