“Magnificent Metamorphosis”
The path through life is not straight and level.
There are ups and downs, naturally—
Perhaps even up after up after up, or down after down after down.
Even the most surefooted stumbles on occasion.
Even the most talented falls into a slump at times.
Ordinary humans, we stumble and slump even more.
Changes from one generation to the next can leave us unable to adapt,
As what we had taken as common sense becomes absurdity,
Or what we had valued becomes worthless.
In times like those, put aside pettiness and keep the big picture in mind.
All the while our next stage is being readied for us,
Keep doing what we can, steady and stable.
Like a butterfly that stays locked in its shell as it matures,
We watch and wait for the next opportunity,
Ignoring pointless clatter from the outside world.
It’s the fast path to self-reliance.
But you can’t overlook the heavens above—
Eventually the butterfly’s shell breaks open, and light from above shines in.
At that moment, you are no longer the old you.
A magnificent metamorphosis it surely must be.
「華麗なる変身」
人生は平坦な道ばかりではない
山あり谷ありは当然のこと
山また山、谷また谷もあるかもしれない
どんなに優秀でもつまずく時はある
天才でもスランプになる時があるのだ
凡人の私たちなら、なおさらだろう
これまでの常識が非常識になったり
価値あると信じたものが価値を失ったり
時代の変化で対応できない時もある
そんな時ほど大らかに考えることだ
次のステージが用意されるまで
今できることを地道に続けることだ
さなぎのように暫く殻に閉じこもって
次のチャンスを窺うという戦術がある
外からの無責任な雑音は気にしないことだ
自助努力の精神こそ王道だ
そういう人を天は見捨てない
必ず蛹の殻が破れ新たな光が射すだろう
その時の貴方は以前の貴方ではない
きっと華麗なる変身を遂げている