In this episode, we explore the Japanese concept Oubaituri, which teaches us the importance of non-comparison and celebrating our unique journeys. Just as cherry, plum, peach, and apricot trees bloom in their own time with their distinct beauty, so too do we grow and evolve uniquely. With the rise of social media, it's easy to fall into the trap of constant comparison, but Oubaituri encourages us to focus on our own path and find beauty in our ordinary, individual experiences. Let's embrace our uniqueness and live fulfilling lives. Stay tuned, stay compassionate and always be kind to yourself.
Until next time, keep spreading the sunshine!
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[00:00:02] Hello Sunshine and how has your week been? Have you ever thought that the trees and the plants can teach us lessons on how to live our lives? And I recently learnt this wonderful Japanese concept, Obaituri. Obaituri is just that, a conceptual guide to a fulfilling life based on the four trees that blossom in spring in Japan.
[00:00:30] Cherry, Plum, Peach and Apricot. And I believe the springtime in Japan is usually a festival of colours, it's a riot of colours. And with these four trees blooming in different shades of pink and white and mauve, though all these trees coexist alongside each other, each of them has a specific order, manner and time when they bloom.
[00:00:58] And therefore Obaituri teaches us the notion of non-comparison. While all these trees produce beautiful flowers which mature to become juicy fruit, Obaituri seeks to celebrate the uniqueness of each of them. Each of these fruits and flowers is different from the other in taste or fragrance. Comparing them is really futile.
[00:01:24] Now we can extend this concept to life. Each of us in our lives is on a unique journey. Each one of us has our own values, our mindsets and frankly our experiences in life are so different from the other that it makes it special.
[00:01:43] Our choices, our perspectives, our successes, our failures, our lessons, they're all equally important.
[00:01:54] Because they've helped us grow and evolve into the version of ourselves that we are today.
[00:01:59] Now you may compare two people from the same town. They may have gone to the same school, they may have gone to the same college.
[00:02:07] But you'll end up comparing who's more successful, who's made more money. This comparison actually doesn't tell us anything.
[00:02:17] Some people get lucky with the system while others can be perfectly content not trying too hard.
[00:02:23] If you notice even in our own families, there may be siblings who may have been brought up in the same environment, the same home, with the same set of parents but they are different.
[00:02:33] They're completely different individuals. They have two very different destinies to live, two very different paths to walk on.
[00:02:40] And no two individuals are the same. So comparing them is not fair.
[00:02:47] Today with social media platforms playing such a huge role in our lives, it is impossible for us to really miss anything because we are all connected and we are all logged in at all times.
[00:02:59] In the modern world, social comparison is amplified through technology leading to people feeling unhappy and dissatisfied with their lives.
[00:03:10] This constant feeling of frustration, FOMO is actually pointless.
[00:03:18] We may scroll through the updates of our friends and acquaintances on Instagram and Facebook and start feeling depressed that our life is not perfect.
[00:03:27] We may read about 25 year old startup founders who have made millions and think how unfair it is that we are still stuck in the same job, plodding along in a job that is not inspiring us in any way.
[00:03:42] We may have great education and we may have experience.
[00:03:46] We may have great education and we may have great education and we may have great education and we may have great education and we are all in the same way.
[00:03:49] And that's when we begin getting more and more anxious because we sometimes feel that we have reached nowhere near our goals.
[00:03:57] And that's why Obayitory is a refreshing change in this hustle culture, this urgency culture where everything has to be updated at all times.
[00:04:08] It allows us to enjoy a fulfilling life and encourages us to do what's right for us at the time and in the manner that is right for us.
[00:04:21] Steve Jobs said, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.
[00:04:25] They somehow already know what you truly want to become.
[00:04:30] Obayitory is actually the art of finding beauty in the ordinary and transforming it into something extraordinary.
[00:04:37] Our uniqueness is what adds that special quality to our character.
[00:04:43] And that's why it's that much more important for us to enjoy our own unique journey to the utmost.
[00:04:49] So instead of complaining and constantly comparing ourselves to others, let's learn to celebrate our uniqueness and accept the magic that we all have inside us.
[00:05:01] Have a great week ahead of you everyone. Take good care of yourselves and we'll speak to you again next week.