karatedo

Onkochishin 温故知新 offers a powerful framework for personal development as it reminds us to mine the past — both our own and that of history — for new wisdom and insights. It was chosen as the Kagami Biraki lecture for 2025.

Goals are the lighthouses of our ambition, guiding our daily actions so that we move towards achieving our ultimate life purposes. Goals are the building blocks that we can use to build our purpose in life.

To have a purpose for living is the true measure of a satisfied and rich life; rather than striving for happiness, strive for purpose. If any one concept is the secret to happiness and success, this is it.

We sometimes bring bad outcomes on ourselves in two ways. Sometimes we expect that one bad outcome follows another. Other times, by dwelling on an initial bad outcome, we lose focus and our strong spirit, and thereby increase the chances of more negative outcomes.