“Those who do not move, do not notice their chains.”
― Rosa Luxemburg
September 9th marked the second anniversary of my father’s passing. Over the past year, I’ve grappled with my fluctuating mental well-being. The nightmare of events that unfolded after his death took me some time to slowly heal from the loss.
But gradually and steadily, I’ve been on a path of recovery. Currently, I attend meetup events every week to connect with people, exchange ideas, and share experiences. This, indeed, should be one of the crucial purposes of life (at least for myself).
Overcoming my stuttering and a journey of self-discovery (via work meetings and Meetup events):
Over the past few months, my stuttering has been getting worse. For those who aren’t aware of my situation, let me share about my speech condition, which is known as stuttering. Until my college days, I didn’t even realize that stuttering was a recognized condition. I used to think there was something wrong with me while everyone else seemed to be doing just fine. Yet, when I stumbled upon a YouTube video delving into this speech condition, I came to the profound realization that it was not an isolated affliction unique to me, but rather a widely recognized and documented phenomenon on a global scale.
And then, something seemingly magical occurred. It wasn’t solely due to the Meetup events where I had the opportunity to converse in both Japanese and English. It was also a result of my regular participation in work meetings, held every morning. During these meetings, in particular, I found myself compelled to speak and articulate my progress on tasks. In this environment, I had no alternative but to summon my utmost determination to overcome my stuttering.
During the initial days, I grappled with the challenge of articulating myself effectively during online meetings. However, by some inexplicable stroke of fortune, my speech condition underwent a remarkable transformation. While I must acknowledge that I still occasionally encounter moments of stuttering, I can assert with confidence that my speech impediment has witnessed a significant improvement. Public speaking, which once filled me with trepidation, no longer holds the same level of fear.
In addition to my regular work meetings, my weekly participation in Meetup events has played a substantial role in my journey toward improved mental health. The anonymity surrounding my past allows me to metaphorically breathe new life into my existence. By sharing humor, including my own dark sense of it, with fellow participants, I have rediscovered the genuine joy of interpersonal connections. This, precisely, is what I have long yearned for, the moment I’ve been craving. There is an abundance of experiences I wish to share with the world and a plethora of ideas I aspire to discuss with people from all walks of life. My aim is to challenge myself by engaging with diverse individuals and immersing myself in the world. In this process, I believe I am entering a crucial phase of self-discovery.
Advancing Inch by Inch: daily rituals and my journey to my goals:
Every single day, for a dedicated thirty minutes to an hour, I wholeheartedly engage with my code within Android Studio. With each passing moment, I savor the journey towards my aspirations. One inch closer – this is the mantra I consistently echo to myself.
I wouldn’t characterize my career as a struggle, but I certainly don’t envision myself in this position indefinitely. To steer my professional trajectory toward my preferred destination, I recognize the necessity of putting in extra effort to enhance my skills. In an era marked by computing revolutions, partly propelled by innovations like ChatGPT and Google Bard (perhaps even Gemini later this year), my passion for coding and my career has intensified.
Inch by inch, I move forward. One day at a time.
Afterthoughts:
As October looms on the horizon, I can’t help but reflect on how swiftly this year has passed, making it the most accelerated chapter of my life thus far. However, I find solace in the knowledge that September was a profoundly rewarding month for me, during which I wholeheartedly embraced every challenge.
The mantra I’ve affixed to my refrigerator serves as a daily reminder: “As long as we breathe, we can hope.” It’s a poignant affirmation that continually underscores the inherent beauty of life.
See you soon, my friends.