I feel the drive to be the best, or at least be good, at everything I do. Beyond being impractical–after all, no one can be good at everything they do–trying to be good at a hobby can ruin the hobby. Sometimes, it’s good to be mediocre. It’s good to remember fun should come first. The…
Category: Philosophy
Japan’s Ancient Wisdom and You
The wisdom of Japan and China remains valuable for us today. Like the wisdom of Stoicism, we can look toward the past for lessons on how to live in the present. If you are a Christian who studies Scripture, this idea shouldn’t be new. But many Christians hesitate to add outside wisdom to their lives….
Fact vs Truth in History
You’ve likely heard the phrase “history is written by the victors.” Because of this sentiment, historians feel skeptical about written histories sponsored by governments and winners of conflicts. In history, there’s also a tension between fact and truth. These sponsored histories may not be factual, but they are often truthful. After all, they explain a…
Goodbye, Shika: The Gift of Mourning
A few hours ago, as I write this, my cat Shikamaru died. He had developed FIPV, or Feline Infectious Peritonitis, an incurable and fatal viral infection. Shika was only 4 years old. Losing a pet is a difficult experience, especially when there is nothing you can do. He had contracted the virus at birth, and…
Miyamato Musashi’s “The Way to be Followed Alone” (Dokkodo)
Miyamato Musashi’s work “The Way to be Followed Alone,” or Dokkodo, is the samurai’s lesser known work next to The Book of Five Rings (Gorin no Sho). Musashi is a ronin, or masterless samurai, and considered to be the best samurai who lived. Musashi was born around 1584. His father was named Hirata Munisai, and his mother was called…
Can a Christian be an Otaku?
Recently, I’ve had questions from younger Christians who are conflicted about their obsession with anime and their Christian faith. Liking anime and being a Christian are not mutually exclusive. Yet, many Christians and Christian parents have more concerns surrounding anime than American media content. I’ve already addressed the sexual concerns surrounding anime, so I won’t…