Balanced Life

health and longevity, he has gained fame. In fact, he has become a must-see attraction for tourists visiting Japan. Almost 200 tourists visit this island each day just to meet him. Most visitors ask him the same question: “In your view, what is the best way to live?” And in the words of Izumi, his answer is always: “Live an ordinary life and don’t go to extremes.” (Hindustan Times, 8 July 1981) This brief sentence conveys a profound truth. It is true that if a person simplifies their food, clothing, housing, and other basic needs, they will stay healthier and avoid many unnecessary stresses and complications. In reality, most of our problems arise from unnecessary complications—and the easiest way to avoid them is not to bring such complications into life at all. You can see examples of both extremes all around you. On one side, there is a type of person who lives in constant fear of losing status or reputation. Driven by this fear, they host guests with excessive formality, spend more than they can afford on decorating their home, and spend too much time grooming themselves before going out. When they travel, they carry so many unnecessary items that the journey becomes a burden. Such a person can never be truly happy, nor can their health stay stable. In contrast, there is the person who values necessity over appearance. When guests arrive, they share whatever