A Yonsei’s Reflections…on What the Universe is Telling Me

A Yonsei’s Reflections…on What the Universe is Telling Me

By Vicky K. Murakami-Tsuda

"Seek out the significance of your problem at this time. Try to understand." -- fortune from a recent cookie

The universe is trying to tell me something. Lately, I’ve been getting these “signs” that are telling me that I need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. After a crazy and hectic summer, chock full of things both in my professional and personal life, I’ve been noticing these little clues with more frequency. They offer a path away from feelings of being overwhelmed. A lifeline sent to me through a fortune cookie.

At work, there have been three exhibition openings (with another opening this weekend), a national conference, and many programs and events. All of these require some level of web presence that I had to help develop. I traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota for the first time with a co-worker to attend a seminar about the use of technology in museums. It was a really great opportunity to meet others in the field, as well as learn how others are approaching the incorporation of technology in their institutions. I got to explore some really great museums that are doing some really innovative things.

Not too long after returning from Minnesota, I was soon back on the road with my husband to Denver, Colorado for the Museum’s "Whose America? Who’s American?" National Conference over the July 4th holiday. It was a wonderfully inspiring experience. I was warmly greeted by familiar faces—fellow staff, Museum volunteers and supporters, and Little Tokyo community members came out en masse, which was incredible considering we were over 800 miles away from Los Angeles. Along with the Southern California contingent were new friends I made from among the local Denver community, as well as many from around the country and even those who came all the way from Japan and elsewhere. It was a very jam-packed, intense week of activities and site-seeing. In addition to promoting Discover Nikkei at the conference, I was able to attend some panel sessions and was a bus host for the Sunday trip out to Amache (hopefully, sometime soon I’ll get around to adding photos and some of the stories from the conference and our visit to Sakura Square to Nikkei Album).

Following our return home, there were non-stop weekends filled with obon festivals at Nishi Hongwanji, Zenshuji, Higashi, Orange County, and Gardena Buddhist churches. Throw in activities around Nisei Week, a tree designation ceremony, the Orange County Gardeners’ Association picnic, and several baseball games into the mix... plus, the several birthdays and special occasions to celebrate.

I even “adopted” a peach tree at the Masumoto Farm up in Del Rey, California, just south of Fresno (another set of photos and stories I need to add to Nikkei Album!). My parents, sister, brother-in-law, and I drove up to Central California where we visited the Forestiere Underground Gardens and then picked 19 cases of delicious Elberta peaches of which we ate our fill, the rest we froze for future consumption or distributed among family and friends at the Museum and elsewhere. Unfortunately, my husband and his parents weren’t able to join us as we had planned. A serious medical issue arose, which fortunately is turning out well in the end. We plan to put in another application to “adopt” a tree for next year so they can join in on the fun (and yes, despite the heat and manual labor, it was fun!).

On the Discover Nikkei front, we were very fortunate to have two young women as interns for our project over eight weeks. We also recently co-presented a program about the Nikkei in Cuba, a symposium in Brazil, and are working on another one about Japanese Latin American Redress for the end of October. We’re also beginning to plan programs for next year as well. Speaking of planning, we’re also working on some major improvements and new features to make the site more intuitive, easier to find content, and interactive.

"Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water…Be water my friend" -– Bruce Lee

This past weekend, I attended East West Players’ production of Dan Kwong’s play Be Like Water. In the play, the ghost of Bruce Lee appears to provide guidance to a young troubled Asian teen in 1970s Chicago. In the play, the ghost advises the girl to figure out what really matters and let go of the smaller, petty things…get to the heart of the issues. By opening herself up and discovering the core of her problems, she was able to be finally be free.

Listening with an open mind is not an easy thing to do. We naturally protect what we believe in and our ways of doing things, even if we know that it is flawed and is causing us stress or harm. However hard that it may be to listen with an open mind, I think acting on that advice can be even harder, requiring courage to try something different, something unfamiliar.

I was listening to Los Angeles Dodgers legend Maury Wills the other night speak about his journey to the major leagues. It actually took him eight years, because despite his many talents, he couldn’t hit curve balls because he was fearful of getting hit by the ball. Finally, someone made a suggestion that he become a switch hitter, which meant that he wouldn’t have to worry about balls coming at him. It required that he admit to his fear and then to work hard to make himself into a successful switch hitter. The result that he was soon in the majors, on his way to becoming a possible, future Hall of Famer.

"...is listening to the universe and channeling positive vibes ~ once in motion, go with the flow ~ let your intuition be your guide ~ Carpe Diem! Namaste!..." -- Facebook friend status update

As I was struggling to focus on writing this article, this status update popped up on my Facebook account. I joined the social networking site earlier this year and am now hooked (I even started a Discover Nikkei Facebook group). It’s often very time-consuming and distracting, but it’s also been a great way for me to connect and re-connect with cousins, friends, and people in the local Little Tokyo and global Discover Nikkei communities that I wouldn’t keep in touch with otherwise.

So, what is the thread that ties this all together? What is at the core of it all? I think it’s about connecting and taking the time to not only live life, but to share it with others. It’s through the sharing of these experiences and stories that strengthens the bonds of our families and communities.

Like I said... the universe is speaking to me.

Opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of Discover Nikkei. To see other articles from this column series, simply click on the "A Yonsei's Reflections..." topic link at the top right. You can also subscribe to the series RSS newsfeed from that page by clicking on the orange icon at the bottom of the page. Click here to find out more about RSS.

© Vicky Murakami-Tsuda