Monday, January 29, 2007

Family Reunion

My wife, a 2-year-old daughter and I went to Shizuoka to have a family reunion on Sunday.

Total of 13 family members gathered and enjoyed eating lunch, which some of them sincerely prepared, and chatting. Among of 13 were one boy and two girls of 2 years old and one 5-year-old girl, therefore, the site was filled with cheerul shoutings like a nursery. These kids were really energetic, powerful and persistently asked me to play with. I, who innately like to play with kids, amused them and myself by doing various things. I expected to have been tired at that time, but I wasn't. I suppose this is because not only I give them my energy, but they also provide me with their fresh energy.

The oldest among them was my grandfather, who was celebrated his 88 years old birthday by all participants. Incidentally, his mother, great grand mother to me and passed away about 20 years ago, had lived so long as 99 years and 10 months. We all hope him lead a sound and healthy life.

-TA

Friday, January 26, 2007

State of the Union Address

US President George W. Bush delivered State of the Union Address. I could not listen and watch it, but I read the whole article on the White House's website.

I appreciated that Mr. Bush referred to environmental issues, connecting the environment to national security as a theme of importance. I strongly hope he takes this issue more seriously and put it into practice immediately. Whether what he said is true or not will depend on the kind of budget he will propose for alternative energy development.

However, I am disappointed that he reiterated his justification of his Iraq policies despite the opposition of the American public in the latest election.I accept that U.S. is in a difficult situation in Iraq whatever policy they take, but I hope they reconsider Iraq policy to a direction where international community can cooperate together.

-TA

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Sundial Diary

I started to keep a diary from the 1st day of the year. However, the diary is different from a common one that you only record what is good in it. You may know that a sundial only show the time when sun is shining, like this, the "Sundial Diary" should be written only the bright side of your life. It was complied under the supervision of Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, Vice President of Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association.

It has been about three weeks since my wife and I started to write the positive sides of our life, our desire, our gratitude, and so on every day. So far, it has astonishingly been working well. By writing a positive aspect, we unconciously tend to find brigh, pleasing and grateful elements in our daily life. This brings our home happiness and harmony.

This notion is basically suggested by Dr. Masahar Taniguchi, founder of Seicho-No-Ie, over 70 years ago, this idea is I think increasingly necessary this day and age, when bad and negative news are inclined to be broadcasted by mass media.

How about trying at your home?

-TA

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Business Trip to HK

I went to Hong Kong for business purposes from 12th to 15th January. This is the second visit to HK to me within a year. We had Chinese and Japanese readers' meetings, a parents' class and a workshop for executive members in this region. All lectures were delivered in Japanese with a translation into Mandarin Chinese. The main theme provided was "Global Environment Preservation Movement and our ordinary life based on a religious faith."

I am a minister of a religious organization, based on Japan spreading to about 30 countries and regions, which currently focuses on global preservation movement based on a true faith as well as preaches our religious principles. At the meetings in Hong Kong, I told them that what kind of God we believe, how we see this world and what we consume make a big difference when it comes to thinking about world peace.

According to the leaders there, especially in recent years, many many people who live in mainland China have been flooding to Hong Kong. This is why I saw quite a few Chinese people from mainlnad China in the meetings. When I asked some shop workers how to go to a subway station, all of them could not understand English. Therefore what they told me must be true. I felt this is what is Hong Kong because "dynamic change" is one its characteristic.

Friday, January 05, 2007

A Happy New Year!!

I hope you spent a sound and cheerful holiday season.

As for our famiy, my wife and I concentrated on Year End Cleaning at home, Osoji in Japanese, and welcomed the New Year with a fresh feeling. But really unfortunately, all of my family ―my wife, my daughter and I ―had a caught early this month. This is why we spent this new year holiday in the bed!

Now we all are fine. Then, I am grateful to what we can lead an ordinary life without any problem.