Do you ever have the opportunity to look back on your life? I have hardly ever had the opportunity to do so.
Speaking of which, I often hear people say that they looked back on their lives when they were job hunting. They wrote their personal history, thought about who they were, wrote their application forms, and spoke at interviews. It seems that in this country, there is a system in place where people take stock of their lives at the transition from student to working life.
However, I was outside of that system. I didn't look for a job (I forgot to look for a job). So I missed thinking about myself before I entered the workforce.
If I had taken a good look at my life up until that point, thought about what my core values were, and considered the path I should take next, I believe my life might not have ended up being so haphazard.
I thought I wanted to do it, so I did radio, then I thought I wanted to do a restaurant, and then I thought I wanted to start a wine shop. Now I'm a rare person with three passions. Well, I guess it's okay because I'm generally moving in a fun direction (I'm being self-deprecating).
Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on my life.
As I wrote about in this blog before, I was interviewed by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper to mark the opening of Bokumo Wine.
(It's also available online)
Thanks to the reporter's excellent questioning skills, the various events that had been scattered throughout my mind gradually began to be arranged in chronological order, and I felt like they were being put together into a single story.
This was a very refreshing experience.
The dots that were originally in my life were skillfully connected by a third-party reporter, and a story was created. It was like being told, "Your life can be interpreted like this," in a life where you go through each day wondering, "Is this really okay?" Ah, I feel so refreshed.
Also, this may sound exaggerated, but I feel like it has given meaning to me.
When humans know that what they are doing has meaning, they become very courageous. Naturally, the dots in the future and the lines connecting those dots become clearer. Imagine a line stretching straight up to the sky.
Specifically, it's to make Bokumo Wine a store that everyone will enjoy (next point), and the efforts I'll make to achieve that (next line). It makes me feel like I can move forward with courage. Once again, I'm really grateful that I was interviewed.
And then, the other day, I got an interview request from someone who saw the Asahi Shimbun article. It was Kyodo News. Then, Sakae Keizai Shimbun. I'm really grateful. By the way, all the reporters were women.
By the second and third times, I was able to smoothly explain why I created the store Bokumo 12 years ago, how I became obsessed with New Zealand wine, and how it led to me opening a specialty store. This time, instead of explaining scattered points, I felt like I was telling a story that was already connected.
We were also able to talk more fluently about our future direction than before.
Well, it's not like you have to absolutely go in that direction. If you feel like something's not quite right, I think it's okay to untie the line and draw another line from a different point than the one you picked up before.
Are there any of you reading this who are wondering how to proceed from now on? If so, I think it would be a good idea to grab someone, talk to them about your "dots," and have them turn them into a "line."
What did you do when you were a student? How did you choose your job and how have you done it? And how do you want to work hard in the future? What do you want to value?
Even such a simple story can be hard to relate to if you are the one involved. It's really hard to look at things objectively.
If you don't have anyone to talk to, please come to the wine counter at Bokumo. I can't tie the lines as beautifully as the reporter, but if you don't mind my clumsy hands, I'd like to tie the lines and give you an interpretation. I think it's best to do it on any day other than Tuesday or Saturday (after all, it's just advertising).
By the way, it is not clear when Kyodo News' articles will be published.
The reporter said, "If something big happens, Bokmowine's article will be buried, so I'll release it when there's not much going on." That's kind. I appreciate it. I guess it'll be after the Olympics are over.
Sakae Keizai Shimbun is also currently writing an article.
I'm looking forward to seeing how you interpret it.
This week's wine and snacks
MAHI MARLBOROUGH PINOT NOIR 2018
Mahimalboro Pinot Noir 2018
This is a wine I truly love. If someone asked me what my favorite NZ wine is, I would probably introduce this one first.
When I visited Mahi Winery, I was impressed by the owner, Brian Bicknell's kind personality and his sincere approach to wine.
The grapes are grown using biodynamic farming methods , and the winery uses stainless steel tanks with complete temperature control. I felt that they respect nature and use all their skills to make good wine.
This 2018 Pinot is elegant, in stark contrast to the wild 2017. However, it is permeated with a layered complexity of flavor, and the aroma and taste will make you smile.
I think the range of snacks is quite wide, but this time I decided not to eat anything.
"I want to visit NZ again when I can. What will I talk about when I go?" This daydream was the snack. I savored it slowly and thoughtfully.
