Gratitude

Be grateful to life, for that life will be good to you.

The Ultimate Optimism

被人误解时能微微一笑；素养。

受委屈时能坦然一笑；大度。

吃亏时能开心一笑；豁达。

无奈时能达观一笑；境界。

危险时坦然一笑；大气。

被轻蔑时能平静一笑；自信。

失恋时能轻轻一笑；洒脱。

今天的你笑了吗？

Ehime

It has been four days since I'd started indulging myself in salt selling. In case you are wondering,  it is Hataka no Shio, a famous Japanese salt from Ehime, Hakata, that I’m promoting.

Since I came to work, I never expect to learn so many things. On top of the fundamental skills of promoting sales products in a persuasive way, and I learned many things about Japan through a seemingly simple pack of salt.

I had been wandering aimlessly. Till I came to work for this Shikoku fair, I have started to realise so many meanings in life. I am deeply indebted to my superior, Ishimaru-san and thankful to my middleman and agent who gave me this opportunity to hold this job.

Speaking of Ishimaru-san, rather than supervising my work, it's more like he had been accompanying me and teaching me lots of things in Japan. Answering to the countless doubts I had, even working hard to check up translation dictionary to fulfil my restless curiosity about salt, and even generously sharing his knowledge in Japanese culture with me. I am extremely touched by him. No supervisor can be as good as him, giving his subordinate plenty of freedom and creativity space to explore.      

I have also come to experience the warmth, kindness and friendliness of the people from Ejime - my Japanese colleagues. They are always looking out for you, and are generous to share, even stuffing me with samples to bring home. And when I know why they are so kind to me, I then realised I was the first to be kind and helpful to them promoting their prefecture’s products,  dissolving and disseminating any radiation rumors about Japan and assuring their prefecture’s products are safe. This is actually a form of protecting them; a way of showing love and encouragement.

Time flies. The day where Ishimaru-san needs to return back to his homeland nears. We had a simple farewell dinner where we had a great time chatting and laughing together with my agent Ono-san, whom had a hard time translating many difficult indigenous terms when we went into detailed and complicated topic like history and culture. In the midst of our conversation, Ishimaru-san suddenly handed out a Japanese culture book and gave it to me as a present. I felt greatly indebted to him. Shortly after which, he passed each of us a ultra-mini pack of salt. We were surprised at first by such move. Then he took out a pen and wrote,

“塩” EN　

“缘” EN

“円” EN

The kanjis are pronounced the same way, and in English they mean, “salt”, “fate” & “money” respectively. As a whole, it means by keeping the salt in your wallet, it brings you good fate with good people and consequently good fortune. I was deeply touched not only by this gesture but also every single word of thanks from Ishimaru-san, who felt that I had motivated him not solely through my working spirit, and also personally. I felt flattered as I always think it is my duty and the right attitude to hold while doing my job. Ishimaru-san had taught by holding this enthusiasm of mine, I had conveyed to them a message of great encouragement and touched the hearts of not only the people of Ehime, but also the whole of Japan.

I will always remember what he said, “Never forget about the Fukushima people. Although years had gone by, the scars remain and they are still trying to buck up.”  At the end of the day, he told me, this is yet the end of our meeting. We will always meet again. True enough, holding a sincere heart in life, good things never end.