Ashitaka's words

[asakiyume]

One of my heroes is Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke. In this scene, from after the death of the forest spirit, San speaks in desolation, and Ashitaka answers her:

San: It's over. Everything's over. The forest is dead.

Ashitaka: Nothing is over. The two of us are still alive.

It's true. So long as we're alive, nothing is over. The good things I (or you) wanted to do yesterday will still be good to do tomorrow. If anything, the kindness and hard work you (or I) offer today and tomorrow and the next day are even more important now than they were before.

It's not as easy as just saying the words, but I do want to try. And I want to keep you company in your trying, too.

Comments

[roseneko.livejournal.com]

I said something similar to Brian last night. We're still here. All we can do is our best.

I have a feeling I'm going to be reading a lot less news and a lot more books this upcoming year. And I'm going to work on becoming a damn good yoga teacher. Because I think everyone will benefit from feeling more connected. Even if it's only a little. Even if it's just for an hour.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I am sure you're right.

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this reminder.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Thank *you* for being in this world, making art, sending postcards, and being a friend.

[larryhammer]

I think this evening I need to reread "Spain 1937."

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that poem--I didn't know it, and yes. cafenowhere wrote a poem (http://cafenowhere.livejournal.com/338846.html) for the day too.

[gwynnega]

This is very true.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Glad to know you, glad to be with you now.

[yamamanama.livejournal.com]

I did my best, if only it was enough.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid it's not a past-tense matter, it's a present and future-tense matter, but what you do with animals, and what you do drawing portraits on the train and striking up conversations--all that is part of the good work.

[yamamanama.livejournal.com]

I wish I could be more influential and reach more people.

But, as I said in my post-election blues entry, there are people proposing extrajudicially killing left-wing journalists and artists, so maybe I don't want influence.

[amaebi.livejournal.com]

Yes. We should all try privately. And in myview, those who can should try publicly, as social issues.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yes, I agree.

[osprey-archer.livejournal.com]

Yes, this. It feels like everything is over, but nothing is over. We have to keep trying.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

When I first came on LJ, there was a song by Utada Hikaru that was popular called "Keep Tryin'" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0p4V5DLxKU)--I've been playing it.

(It's a bit of a weird song, and it's got the English lyric in it "I don't care about anything," but the overarching message is that everyone's humdrum daily lives have worth, and to keep trying.)

[greylistening.livejournal.com]

I am glad of your company, as we keep on trying.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

I am *so* glad of yours.

[heliopausa.livejournal.com]

He doesn't speak for you. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEzt1B2Oo9A&index=2&list=RD7nvbYlmdYS0) Stay strong. Hugs.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this.

[wuweibaby.livejournal.com]

Yes, and thank you.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

((hugs))

[wuweibaby.livejournal.com]

And..

In my gut it says there will be much disappointment on the other side. That's my gut.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Oh I'm pretty sure of that.

I want us (very broadly construed) to find shared work, hope, enthusiasm, a sense of friendship. I want this for those over there, too, because when you have those things, you don't want to tear down--maintaining and improving becomes something you can believe in. And for the most vulnerable, the people who are directly, immediately in danger because of this outcome, I wish for safety and the knowledge that there are friends out here who will struggle for and with them and protect them.

[pinkroo.livejournal.com]

thank you.

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Thank **you** sparkly cat ♥

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

Yes, onwards!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

:-)

[plantmom.livejournal.com]

From the words of Nichiren Daishonin: "In accordance with their status, some have wives and children, relatives, fiefs, and gold and silver, while others have no treasure. Whether one has wealth or not, no treasure exceeds the one called life."

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

So true that no treasure exceeds life. Life is the deepest, truest, most mind-boggling gift.

[c-maxx.livejournal.com]

Ever since 2000, I've started to get philosophical, that one I was ready to have a seizure...

It appears we may have the entertainment of watching Trump and the REpubs battle it out for control as he isn't really much of a current-philosophy Republican!

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's dark days now, but there have been other dark days. We'll get through it.

[oiktirmos.livejournal.com]

I don't think about all the misery, but about the beauty that still remains.
Anne Frank

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Her voice is inspiring. She didn't make it, but her voice and her words did.

[dudeshoes.livejournal.com]

Lovely

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

These times....