Introduction

“Why must we continue living in this world?”—At some point, this question may have crossed your mind. When overwhelmed by the burdens of daily life and crushed by the weight of injustice, I, too, have repeatedly pondered this question. Yet, perhaps the very act of questioning is what life itself is about.

Questioning the Meaning of Life—Perspectives from Literary Masters

Even the literary greats of the Meiji era must have faced the same existential doubts. Natsume Soseki’s Kusamakura famously states, “If you act with intelligence, conflicts arise. If you follow emotions, you are swept away.” This phrase brilliantly encapsulates the contradictions of life. Prioritizing reason leads to friction with the world, while succumbing to emotions makes one’s existence ambiguous. How, then, should we navigate this delicate balance?

The Perspective of Living with a Disability—Facing an Unjust Reality

When I became disabled, I had no choice but to confront this question head-on. What was once second nature to me suddenly became impossible. It was as if the world’s irrationality had struck me directly.

However, instead of stopping, I chose to think, to keep moving forward. Over time, I realized that life is not about seeking definitive answers—it is about continuously questioning.

Life is a Series of Choices

Ryunosuke Akutagawa once wrote, “Life is like a box of matches.” If handled carelessly, it burns out quickly; if left unused, it holds no meaning. Each of us carries a small flame in our hands, constantly searching for ways to make it burn.

There are times when I see this world as bleak and hopeless. But ultimately, that perception is merely a reflection of my own internal state. If I could instead think, “This world isn’t so bad after all,” perhaps the world itself would appear different. A change in perspective alters the scenery. I have experienced this many times throughout my life.

Conclusion—The Value of Living

Even so, I sometimes catch myself laughing self-deprecatingly. Oscillating between self-denial and self-acceptance, I still choose to live. And through this repetition, I have gradually learned to embrace myself.

Why must we live? There is no definitive answer to that question. Yet, here I am, living today. Embracing joy, sorrow, and despair alike—this is my life.

Within this very act of living, I want to believe, lies a profound value.

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