Hello everyone.
The world is changing so fast right now because of AI. Yes, things became more convenient. But — is your heart keeping up with that speed?
Actually, I feel like more and more people are struggling to keep up.
Convenient Does Not Mean Happy
Convenient and happy — these are not the same thing. And if you stop to think about that too long, you might feel like you’re already left behind.
We are living inside so much information every day. That’s exactly why, in this kind of world, the most important thing we need is the ability to figure out — what do I really want? What am I really looking for?
What Did We Actually Learn Growing Up?
Since we were small, we learned from our parents, our teachers, the rules of society.
But does all of that actually connect to our happiness? Honestly, not always.
Be better than other people. Be someone’s hero. Have more followers. We keep chasing all these positive things. And as a result, we start to look away from our negative feelings. Like they are in the way. Like they don’t belong.
How about you? Are you actually facing your negative feelings — or are you pretending they’re not there?
Your Negative Feelings Are Not the Enemy
No matter how positive you become, the negative feelings still show up. Again and again.
But I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
I think we need to face them and ask — why is this feeling coming up in me right now?
Because those feelings are not trying to stop you. They are not trying to make your life harder.
They are a signal. A signal that says — this is what you need to be truly happy, as the real you.
Have you been facing your negative feelings? Or have you been looking the other way?
This Is Where Calligraphy Comes In
Calligraphy is intentionally slow work.
You prepare your tools carefully. You breathe slowly. You make one stroke at a time, again and again.
In this age of AI and efficiency, I think some people will feel frustrated doing this kind of work. And that’s okay. That frustration — that feeling — is exactly the point.
Finding that emotion inside you, and facing it. That is what I believe “calming the mind” really means.
One Last Question
What does “calming the mind” mean to you?
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please share in the comments below.
I’m Flash, a Japanese calligrapher in Los Angeles. I make hand-brushed sumi ink art with traditional Japanese materials. Come check my work at flashcalligraphy.com.
