During my childhood, Japanese cultural imports were banned in Korea. Despite this, Japanese culture had already gained popularity among us, with series like Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, and Fist of the North Star. As I entered middle and high school, I transitioned from Dragon Ball to more sophisticated manga, with Vagabond being particularly memorable. Although I didn’t fully understand the word, the story of Miyamoto Musashi wandering and honing his martial arts perfectly matched the powerful term "Vagabond."
The word "vagabond" means:
- Vagabond (adj.): Wandering
- Vagabond (n.): Wanderer
Recently, I revisited the book "Tools of Titans" and found a section titled "Be a Vagabond." The content resonated with me, and I believe it’s essential for those of us, including myself, who are embarking on new challenges.
After graduating from university and spending 16 years as a corporate employee, I always strove to excel in my given tasks and broaden my scope by taking on additional responsibilities. Fortunately, I’ve had a blessed life where my efforts were mostly recognized. However, a part of me felt discontent about exchanging my time and effort for money solely to support someone else’s goals. The greatest challenge was the sense of loss when my efforts were not acknowledged or were merely used as a tool, leading to a monotonous life that left me feeling unfulfilled.
As time passed, I realized that my efforts were aimed at being slightly more recognized and receiving a marginally higher salary. To achieve this, I conformed to reality and clung to my life as an employee.
- "Vagabonding means leaving your daily routine for at least six weeks. Only with enough time can we start to transform our everyday life."
- "It gives a new perspective on life, offering choices rather than possessions. You find your routine within the adventure."
- "It’s about having the courage to loosen the grip on certainty, not waiting for circumstances to dictate your fate, but starting right away."
These words are crucial for those, like me, seeking thrilling challenges beyond the certainty of the present. To achieve new goals and live an independent life, breaking away from routine and adopting a new perspective is vital. Embracing the vagabond spirit requires the courage to leave the present behind and dedicate our time and efforts to new aspirations.
Historically, there are numerous examples of this spirit. Steve Jobs, who dropped out of college to create innovative computers, movies, and eventually the world's leading company, Apple. The founders of Google, who started in a friend’s garage after graduating from Stanford. Ju-yung Jeong, who began Hyundai Group after selling stolen cows. Jack Ma, who founded Alibaba after leaving his teaching job. All of these individuals left their secure positions to start something new, embodying the vagabond spirit.
While it may sound cliché, we all know that doing what we love and what excites us brings happiness. Imagine how much happier we could be if we dedicated all our time and effort to what we truly want to do.
Though becoming a vagabond may bring anxiety and impatience, recognizing that this time is essential for greater happiness is crucial. To inspire courage and embrace our vagabond journey, I’ll share a quote from the book:
"Quitting is not giving up; it’s moving on to the next step."
Thank you.
