John Shiomi comments

Very nice article! "We are literally killing the earth for the sake of convenience and economic profit."

"We don’t have to live in caves, but spending less time shopping and being content less material possessions will not bring any harm to any of us."

To get deep at the root of the problem... the way that we are on the inside is a reflection of what is happening to us on the outside. We live without meaning and purpose in our lives. We seek instant gratification from smoking, drinking, shopping, eating, etc. Industry is feeding all of these things are we are eating them up because we are pleasure seeking machines. Instead of behaving like animals we need to find meaning and purpose in our lives from inside of us and find pleasure and happiness from there. We need to be patient with ourselves and with others... show some character. Watch "The 11th Hour" for a great analysis of our problem with the environment and how it's source resides within each of us.

i'm sure lots of people seeing the long decided to join in on the wait... their strategy paid off but its seems a bit manipulative to me... the schemer will always remain...

The ironic thing is that with the exchange rate being so good people get too excited and end up spending even more money that they normally would which defeats the purpose of good rate in the first place. Something to think about.

Personally, I liked the original 1951 one better.

i have been teaching kids for over 20 years and i've noticed that the "bad kids", ones with behavior problems, lack of concentration, etc usually come from parents who are "bad" too. It's no coincidence. Even before I meet the parents I have a good idea what they are like after getting to know the kid. I think change needs to begin in the family. Parents need to change and start loving their kids unconditionally, be a good role model to them. Kids will feel this from their parents and naturally blossom. I don't think it's the governments responsibility to take care of this... each person has to take care of their own family and let the families around them know when change is necessary. The key to the 99 is the one. Use a little self-awareness, get educated, and be proactive.

It doesn't matter who the President is... http://darrenhardy.success.com/2008/11/it-doesnt-matter-who-is-president/ Check it out!

awesome! breaking the gender barrier. how about a young woman prime minster?

It's too bad his character couldnt handle all the fame and money. It's a shame because he could have really made an impact in people's lives in a really positive way. Well, it's never too late to change - with or without money.

I know someone who frequently shoplifted. It's definitely a symptom of a deeper problem... a feeling of lack, insecurity (emotional and physical), and a feeling of being able to do anything to change ones life. Until these deeper rooted problems are solved, crime among the elderly will continue. Unfortunately, many elderly people do not work and spend their time thinking about (focusing on) the lack in their lives. If they find some meaning and purpose in their lives, if they find a way to contribute to other people (start thinking about other people instead of themselves) they will be rewarded financially and in many other ways. By contributing this scarcity mentality will disappear from their lives. By giving so much will come back into their lives. That's the way life works. Once you get it your whole life will change forever.

it's funny that people would go to this restaurant to be trendy instead of focusing what's really important - health. people seem to do things for the wrong reason. the article mentions women dieting and trying to get thin in an unnatural way which hurts them mentally, emotionally, and physically... again losing weight for the wrong reasons in the wrong way. if only people could get the right MEANS to their ENDS... things would work out a lot better.

My ex-girl friend was a deeply involved Soka Gakkai member. I got to know more about the "religion" and I really liked what some of the beliefs. It's more like a life philosophy than religion I feel. Before I met my ex I felt pretty negatively towards religion but my beliefs really changed... though I would never commit myself to any particular religion. Her life really changed in a huge way through Soka Gakkai. She gained more self-confidence and gain a better handle on her emotions and life in general. I think it's important for people to gain better control of their lives in whatever way they can...

To "MoContrary". Yeah, my goal is in fact to be a "self-empowerment trainer". What do you mean by "throwing in bridges" and you have any good examples of "holistics". I always eager to learn. Hope you get this message. What is your line of work? Just curious...

I think that the ideas presented here are so fundamental to getting along well with others. Whether it be in business, family, friends, or strangers. We tend to think that everyone sees the world pretty much in the same way, the way we do (or should see it this way). But people are very different in their ways of thinking because of how they were raised and their own personal experiences. We need to "seek first to understand, then to be understood". As much as we want to be understood by someone, we need to care about first understanding someone else in the same way. I think this is the true meaning of the "Golden Rule". The goal is not to win your case and be right, rather to create a wonderful relationship through mutual understanding. Which leads to synergy - creating something amazing through the relationship that was never there before(a much higher level than compromise). Try to think all of your relationships as if they were a marriage. In a marriage you wouldnt think: "who's winning in your marriage?" if one person isn't winning, both are losing. Getting along with other people is a very natural process. It requires patience and self control. You can't be quick with relationships like with driving on the streets, accessing information on the internet, or making money. Nuturing relationships takes character.

There are 3 things that we can always be certain that will always be: (1) choice (2) change (3) principles. These three things will always be. Regardless of age, sex, economic status people will always have a choice of how they want their life to be... do you choose happiness or depression or something in between. It truly is a choice. Whatever you focus on you get... ask and you shall receive. Happiness is just a state of mind. Is your mind in the present?... are you enjoying who you are and appreciating what you have? Or is your mind in the past regretting things? Or is your mind in the future worry about things that most likely will never be. We are so good at bringing the past and the future into our present and destroying our moment to moment happiness. After all, our present is all we really have. Free your mind from social hypnosis. Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Stop watching TV and read a good book. Go out and enjoy nature. Stop putting yourself down because you don't look like a model or are overweight. Start learning about who you are as a person of character and try to improve it. Change begins on the inside. When you start loving yourself for who you are and what you are becoming miracles will start happening on the outside too. This may sound like a bunch of self-help crap but it's absolutely true. If you want to change your life work from the inside out. Stop blaming other people for your "misfortune". Your "misfortune" is a result of who you are inside. It's really hard to understand this... but once you swallow this bitter pill real change begins to occur. If you really want to change I recommend reading "The 7 habits of highly effective people" (７つの習慣）It's amazing!

I have an iphone and right now there's something wrong with the mail service... anyone know what's going on with that? how to resolve it?

death by zangyou... sad.

I think some people misunderstand the question "Why don't Japanese speak English better than they do?" I take it to mean "Why aren't Japanese people so good at speaking English?" I have been an English teacher here for over 10 years and I know a number of Japanese who speak English excellently. In general, I find that these people first of all (1) have studied quiet extensive in school (2) are extremely interested in English and speaking to foreigners (3) are usually quiet open and not shy. I think many Japanese people are not as good as they can be because they are shy, lack self confidence, and frankly just don't have the chance to speak English here in Japan on a regular basis. I think it may also have something to do with Japanese culture too like some others have mentioned. Japanese people do spend lots of money and many years studying English but I never think it's a waste of money or time. There are good teachers and there are bad teachers but ultimately learning is up to the students. It's a choice. You can complain about the teacher or decide to find a new one. You can just learn English in class or decide to study more outside of class and really start improving. Everything is always a choice.

it's sad how alcohol in Japan is used as a quick fix for Japanese people to just loosen up. bonenkai, shinennkai, enkai, etc. it's just part of their culture. if people could only just become more sociable more naturally at work rather than induced like a drug at these parties.

she's beautiful for sure!

glad he was arrested. who knows how many people he could have stabbed.

I believe that all human behavior can be explained. Kato's behavior is a symptom of a deep and prevalent problem we seem to be having in our society today. Instead of looking at Kato as a terrible, crazy,cowardly guy we need to try to understand why he became the way he is and more importantly what we can do to prevent such a thing. I think we need to start by educating kids at a young age of just being more self aware of their feelings. Also, to teach people that change is possible... bad things don't just continue forever. It's time to take responsibility for our lives and stop blaming people. When we blame people for our feelings and actions we feel we have no control over our lives and just give up.