The Optimistic Anthropologist Vol. 16

Intentionality and Japan, Integrating Work & Travel, and 40+ New Opportunities!

February 28, 2019

 February 2019, Vol. 16View this email in your browser

Dear ,

I’ve just returned from five weeks of working from and traveling in Japan.  It was my first visit and I’m still making meaning of all I experienced, but in the week I’ve been back, I’ve been reflecting a lot on how Japanese culture is full of intentionality.

I experienced it as I hiked 1000+ year old Shinto pilgrimage routes, called the

, which were so quiet that I was keenly aware of every step I was taking and

.  And I felt it in the graciousness of a local man as I came upon him while he cleaned a trail-side shrine.  Before I went on my way, he insisted I take two pieces of candy that materialized from his pocket.

I experienced it in the resilience of Hiroshima, where the site where the first atomic bomb was dropped, a place of incredible horror and tragedy, was less than a decade later dedicated as a

, a place to symbolize, gather, and advocate for nuclear disarmament.

I witnessed it on the islands of

and

, where the Japanese Billionaire Soichiro Fukutake has been using his wealth and influence and love of art as a “weapon” to preserve the well-being of the islands in the Inland Seto Sea and their culture as part of his larger critique of capitalism and urban development.

It also alight in Otaru, where for 20 years the

has brought together volunteers from across the community to build and maintain snow sculptures and ice lanterns so that visitors can, “think about things leisurely in the glow of the candlelight, and to have time to reflect on themselves...”

And it was present as I experienced a

– observing how my host's every movement and object in the room had a purpose, including calligraphed banner on the wall which communicated her intention for our time together. 

I felt this intentionality in big ways and small ones, in cities and rural areas, in public spaces and private interactions, while with others and on my own.  Its impact was both tranquil and energizing, gracious and authentic. And now that my eyes are open to it, I want to figure out how I can integrate more of it into my life and work and community.  If you have experienced this, or are thinking and acting upon this too, please

Until next month, be well and do good,Alison

P.S. I'll be in New York City March 7-11 and Scottsdale, AZ March 12-17.  If you'd like to connect when I'm in town,

 

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Our founder,

, has had a few people ask her how she manages to integrate work and travel. She shares a bit about what she thinks and does.

Join

in her home in DC! Open to people of all backgrounds with the goal of countering white supremacy through - among other things - joy, curiosity and homemade challah! (

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Job, Consulting, and Fellowship Opportunities

 is a monthly round up of job, consulting, and fully-funded fellowship and accelerator opportunities that people connected to Optimistic Anthropology are recruiting for. We’ve launched something new for 2019 - rolling submissions, so each month's post will be updated with new opportunities as they come in!

and 

Wishes For You This Month

One of our core beliefs at Optimistic Anthropology is that serious work on complex problems can and should be approached with joy and curiosity. That's why occasionally on Mondays, 

in hopes that it will keep you (and us) inspired and motivated. Check out our latest wishes for you inspired by Japan and focused on

,

, and

.  Two of the three are very meditative, 30 second videos should you need a moment to breathe.

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