Having lived in Japan for many years, I sometimes find myself wondering, “Is this truly where I’m meant to be?” As an American living in Japan, I often feel waves of nostalgia and curiosity about other places. Especially when I hear of people who used to live in Japan moving to the United States and finding greater opportunities, I can’t help but wonder if America is truly the land of dreams and endless possibilities. There are moments when I think maybe I, too, should go to America, or perhaps another country could offer me a better path.
However, this recent visit to the U.S. has changed my perspective. Meeting North Korean defectors and immigrants, hearing their stories, I realized that while many of them left Korea in pursuit of a better life and settled in America, the reality is that people’s lives are remarkably similar wherever they may live. Whether we’re in one continent or another, in one country or another, we are all part of human society, living interconnected lives and navigating relationships. Each country may have different customs and systems, but the essence of “a place where people live” remains the same. And with that comes the same challenges—rivalries, interpersonal struggles, and various conflicts.
I’ve come to understand that there’s no need to be trapped by thoughts like, “Life might be better somewhere else,” or “I would have been happier if I’d lived in another country.” Isn’t it ideal to appreciate the present and live with gratitude wherever we are? Instead of wandering in search of new possibilities, perhaps the real “bluebird of happiness” lies in finding gratitude right where we stand.
Living each day with gratitude for where you are, feeling confident in your choices—perhaps this is the greatest happiness and the ideal life.
Wonsuh Song
Shumei / Waseda University lecturer
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