Category: Awareness
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“Departures” and Life’s Hidden Lessons: Reflections on Work, Death, and Family
Read more: “Departures” and Life’s Hidden Lessons: Reflections on Work, Death, and FamilyDepartures by Yōjirō Takita, originally titled Okuribito (“one who sends off”), follows a cellist who loses his job and returns to his hometown with his wife. He unexpectedly finds work “assisting departures,” which he assumes is in travel. Instead, he prepares bodies for cremation ceremonies. This thought-provoking film examines themes of prejudice, our relationship with…
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Exploring Romance and Self-Growth Through City Hunter
Read more: Exploring Romance and Self-Growth Through City HunterCity Hunter, a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo, was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1985 to 1991. The story follows Ryo Saeba, a “sweeper” and flirtatious gunman, who runs the “City Hunter” business in Shinjuku, Tokyo. At first accompanied by his partner, Hideyuki Makimura, Ryo’s world changes dramatically when Hideyuki…
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Living with Purpose: Reflections on Steve Jobs’ Life Lessons
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Read more: Living with Purpose: Reflections on Steve Jobs’ Life LessonsSteve Jobs, known for founding and reviving Apple, reshaped our world with innovations like the iPhone and iPad. His worldview and approach to life contributed to his success, and he famously shared his insights as a Stanford commencement speaker. In his speech, Jobs highlighted a powerful lesson: “Remembering that you are going to die is…
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Rediscovering Life’s Purpose: Reflections on Living by Oliver Hermanus
Read more: Rediscovering Life’s Purpose: Reflections on Living by Oliver HermanusIn Living, directed by Oliver Hermanus and adapted from Akira Kurosawa’s Ikiru, Bill Nighy portrays a bureaucrat in a public works office who, upon learning of his terminal illness, confronts the monotony that has defined his life. Once called a “Zombie” by a former colleague—a woman he admires for her lively spirit—he realizes he’s lost…
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Embracing Passion and Authenticity in a Conformist Society
Read more: Embracing Passion and Authenticity in a Conformist SocietyIn Beck, a manga by Harold Sakuishi, we follow the journey of Yukio Tanaka, a 14-year-old whose ordinary life is upended when he meets Ryusuke Minami, a charismatic rock musician. A chance encounter with Ryusuke and his dog sets Yukio, or “Koyuki,” on a transformative path, drawing him into the world of rock music. Through…
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“Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Embracing Life with Passion and Purpose
Read more: “Can’t Stop” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers: Embracing Life with Passion and PurposeFrom their 2002 album By the Way, Can’t Stop by the Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) has become one of the band’s most iconic songs, renowned for its electrifying energy and creative spirit. Like much of RHCP’s work, it merges an upbeat, high-octane sound with lyrics that invite introspection. Anthony Kiedis, the band’s lead vocalist,…
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The Shining: Alcoholism and Society through the Lens of Horror
Read more: The Shining: Alcoholism and Society through the Lens of HorrorStanley Kubrick’s The Shining, based on Stephen King’s acclaimed novel, has earned its place as one of the most iconic horror films of all time. The story follows the Torrance family—Jack, a writer played by Jack Nicholson, his wife Wendy, and their son Danny—who take on the role of winter caretakers for an isolated hotel.…
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Haikyu!!: Lessons in Teamwork, Self-Improvement, and Resilience
Read more: Haikyu!!: Lessons in Teamwork, Self-Improvement, and ResilienceHaikyu!!, a manga by Haruichi Furudate, has made a remarkable impact on the popularity of volleyball, both in Japan and internationally. Much like Slam Dunk for basketball or Captain Tsubasa for soccer, Haikyu!! brings excitement to the sport it showcases, blending drama, humor, and a touch of reality. Through dynamic storytelling and character growth, the…
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Final Fantasy VII: Reflections on Environmentalism, Corporate Power, and Collective Change
Read more: Final Fantasy VII: Reflections on Environmentalism, Corporate Power, and Collective ChangeThe seventh installment of Final Fantasy, developed by Square Enix, is perhaps the most globally recognized entry in the series, having been widely released on the original PlayStation. Recently remade (Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth), the game has been acclaimed by both the gaming community and fans worldwide. One of the…
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Embracing Change and Time: Lessons from Groundhog Day
Read more: Embracing Change and Time: Lessons from Groundhog DayGroundhog Day is a film from my childhood that has always stood out to me. The story follows a self-centered weatherman, played by Bill Murray, who is sent to a small town to cover the annual Groundhog Day event. What he doesn’t expect is to become trapped in an infinite time loop, reliving the same…