The Wisdom of Japanese Poetry About the Samurai on a Random Friday For When Normal Means are Not Enough

Writing online is an exercise in personal social history. Digital spaces, such as blogs and other online projects, are also a type of virtual archive. They are also projects born of narcissism--in the best sense--that can provoke, reveal, extend, and broaden the public discourse and consciousness.

But sometimes you just want to share what is on your mind or a bit of found knowledge with your online people. And what day is better for such an exercise than a random Friday?

Life is full of decisions and crossroads. The challenge is that sometimes the little choices we take for granted can have out-sized (and surprising implications) later on in life.

When I have to make a big decision or am faced with a personal challenge, I meditate, drink a Sapporo (or three), feed the birds some old french fries, eat a good meal, talk to a friend, and read a trusted book.

Ultimately, sometimes our day-to-day challenges, in either personal or professional life, can seem so overwhelming and impossible to negotiate because we are too close to the problem.

For example, if you are standing at the base of a mountain and looking up at the peak it looks damn near impossible to climb; but, once you start to climb and make progress you can begin to see that this is a manageable challenge. Moreover, if one is especially lucky that challenge can actually improve you, the climber, bringing a person closer to their long-term goal.

One of my books for meditative soul searching is the samurai training guide and "bible" The Hagakure.

I discovered The Hagakure approximately ten years ago. I always return to it when I am under pressure or feeling imperiled.

Here are two of my favorite passages.

First:

“There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.” 

Second:

“When one is writing a letter, he should think that the recipient will make it into a hanging scroll.”

What songs, poetry, quotes, or other found wisdom do you lean on when navigating difficult waters?