[One Thousand Characters a Day] 'Loneliness Class' <1> - When I Feel Inadequate

Editor's NoteFormer MBC PD Kim Min-sik, who directed dramas such as 'New Nonstop' and 'Queen of Housewives.' Always pursuing fun and passion, he was confident that he would never back down no matter what unexpected challenges life threw at him. However, in 2018, he was suddenly diagnosed with glaucoma that could lead to blindness, and in 2020, he voluntarily left MBC due to unforeseen circumstances, experiencing anxious and lonely times. When his belief that he was living well collapsed in an instant, he spent time reflecting on himself by asking, "How should I live?" Over more than two years, through walking, traveling, and reading during a period of retreat, he realized that loneliness is the time when life asks us questions that we must answer. Lessons on Loneliness contains 50 pieces of wisdom that show how Kim Min-sik has navigated the waves of life and how he has taken steps forward and deepened his life. He offers readers advice and comfort: "When loneliness comes, welcome it warmly and take the time to find 'yourself' within it." Word count: 827 characters.

In Self-Compassion by world-renowned psychologist Tara Brach, there is a story about an orphan girl. She was raised by her maternal grandmother but never escaped the feeling of being an orphan. She couldn’t get along with her school friends because she feared being looked down upon for being an orphan. The girl acted tough and spoke harshly. One day, she made eye contact with a black-haired girl in her class. The friend smiled at her, but the girl turned her head away and ignored her. This girl later confessed after turning thirty.

"I was just a child without parents, so why couldn’t I accept that? Because of that, I lost a lot in life. I was so busy being sad, depressed, and angry that I couldn’t do anything else. I missed the chance to become friends with that black-haired girl forever."

The girl realized late that because of her feeling of being an orphan, she missed many opportunities in life and trapped herself in anger and loneliness, unable to feel the joy of life. Through the awareness that it was not her fault, she finally freed herself from self-blame. Although the condition of being an orphan did not change, the moment she accepted herself, she no longer feared life.

We often tell others to open their hearts wide, but in fact, it is more important to open your heart to yourself, to show compassion and comfort yourself. The world can be very cruel at times. But those who overcome such pain appreciate life more and enjoy living. They become stronger by overcoming trials.

A life without hating oneself!

Perhaps the purpose of our lives is to fully accept the existence of 'me' from beginning to end.

- Kim Min-sik, Lessons on Loneliness, Saenggakjeongwon, 18,000 KRW