Ibasho cafe in the disaster area is supposed to be a straightforward project, yet there are many issues and challenges arise, especially when we feel that it is making progress. Yes, I am frustrated by the layers of bureaucracy that have to give us reasons to slow down and discourage us. I am sure that this situation happens to many projects for disaster relief globally. When I visit the disaster area and see how people live, I feel so frustrated by how things are in Japan. There are so many “talking” but so little “doing” from both central and local governments in the current situation.
When we try to take action and “DO” something beneficial for the local residents who were affected by the horrific earthquake/tsunami, the simple act of kindness can simply be discouraged by the people who do not understand the urgency of the needs in the community. All the process, regulation, and permits are surprisingly increased rather than simplified after the disaster, which makes reconstruction process so slow, especially from the grass-root initiatives.
Am I discouraged?
The answer is ” No, I do feel frustrated but never be discouraged…”
Why? …… because I always go back and watch a video clip about “last lecture” that Dr. Randy Pausch delivered.
In this lecture, Dr. Randy Pausch said:
“The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough. They’re there to stop the other people.”
Yes, I have been tested…. “How badly we want to bring Ibasho cafe a successful community project?”
I am a infinite naïve optimist. I used to think that being “naïve” and “optimist” was something that I should be embarrassed by because it always sounded that I was “inexperienced” to take any actions. However, I now believe that “there is a place for a naïve optimist in our world, because only naïve and optimistic people are the ones who are crazy enough to genuinely try to “do” something new and innovative regardless of other people’s critical remarks….”
Thanks for Randy, I can go back to Japan with my full motivation and positive attitude now!
I will keep you posted about my trip to Japan via this blog. Stay tuned.
