Current location:entertainment >>
VOX POPULI: Message for this year’s rookie workers: You are an empty glass
entertainment1317People have gathered around
IntroductionAround this time every year, I look forward to Suntory Holdings Ltd.’s newspaper ad.I saw it in the ...
Around this time every year, I look forward to Suntory Holdings Ltd.’s newspaper ad.
I saw it in the April 1 edition of The Asahi Shimbun, albeit only in certain areas.
Addressed to young people who started working this spring, the ad copy read, “Right now, you are just an empty glass.”
The message must have meant: “Since all the glasses are the same size now, your school records don’t mean much anymore. The important thing is to understand the ‘core’ of your job, which is that making money is never your only goal.”
It was written by author Shizuka Ijuin, who died in November at age 73. And this was actually the very first ad copy he wrote for Suntory, back in 2000.
The words reached the depth of my heart and lingered like fine, mature whisky.
But Ijuin was hardly a paragon of virtue during his life. There are stories galore of his misbehavior, such as gambling with money borrowed from publishers and even getting his editors to deliver the cash to his place.
Roguery and naivete existed in him side by side and that made his charm irresistible. His words were straightforward yet deeply nuanced, which must have reflected his checkered lifestyle.
In life, there are things we can learn even when we are utterly inefficient.
I recall when I started working 30 years ago. I was overworked, made mistakes that were so terrible they caused the blood to drain from my face and I just resented everything.
Back then, I still believed that experience would make writing my stories easy.
I was wrong. Things haven’t changed much since then and I still struggle.
Singer-songwriter Mariya Takeuchi once noted, “The more I look at myself objectively as a professional, the deeper my predicament gets because of my inability to reach the standard I’ve set for myself.”
Newcomers and veterans alike are all in the process of development. You just need to take the first step.
And if you feel a headwind on your cheeks, that’s proof that you are making progress.
--The Asahi Shimbun, April 2
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Culture Capsule news portal”。http://capeverde.chongwenmenhotelbeijing.com/news-75a599922.html
Related articles
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
entertainmentCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A county judge could rule as early as Monday on Ohio’s law banning virtually a ...
Read moreFlowers seen in suburb forest of Minsk
entertainmentFlowers are seen in a suburb forest of Minsk, Belarus, April 19, 2021. (Photo by Henadz Zhinkov/Xinh ...
Read moreAutumn scenery at Summer Palace in Beijing
entertainmentTourists enjoy the autumn scenery at the Summer Palace in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 27, 2020. ...
Read more
Popular articles
- Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
- People go outside to enjoy scenery of flowers in many parts of China
- View of Shuangjiang ancient town in Chongqing
- China's resort island opens two more duty
- Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
- Canada's tourism spending sharply down in 2020
Latest articles
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
Peach flowers in full blossom at Mutianyu Great Wall
Xi Stresses Solid Efforts to Write a New Chapter in Reform and Opening Up
Zoom in on beautiful Fenghuang Town
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
Number of migrant birds increases in Ulungur Lake National Wetland Park
LINKS
- China's top legislature to strengthen recording, review of normative documents
- Playing Hither and Zither
- Wondrous Xinjiang: Women Entrepreneurs Embroider Golden Future for Rural Women
- Village Official Leads Farmers in Promoting Rural Revitalization
- China's Paddler Xie Claims 1st Gold of Hangzhou Asian Para Games
- Teacher Guides Visually Impaired Kids on Career Path
- Overseas Returnee Inherits, Revitalizes Traditional Craft
- Young Bullet Train Conductor Striving for Splendid Youth
- Embroidery Revival Pays off in Rural Hubei County
- Xu wins 3rd gold at Artistic Swimming World Cup