Log #5

    Speaking of self discovering, what flashes through my mind first is Miyazaki Hayao's(宮崎駿) animations. From "The Valley of the Wind" to "My Neighbor Totoro" and to "Spirited Away," Miyazaki Hayao's movies have accompanied me through my childhood, and some of the elements in these films have inspired me to pursue a better self.

    In Miyazaki's animations, it strangely is female characters that account for a big part of the films.  Moreover, princess as these characters are often set as, they are not spoiled at all.(Except Chihiro in Sprited Away) Instead, these females, while carrying their proudness,  display special personal traits such as independence, strength, fearlessness, a sense of responsibility, and so on.  Actually, Miyazaki even once said, “Many of my movies have strong female leads - brave, self-sufficient girls that don’t think twice about fighting for what they believe in with all their heart. They’ll need a friend, or a supporter, but never a saviour. Any woman is just as capable of being a hero as any man.” 

    Every time I watch Miyazaki's movies, I can deeply relate myself to these female leaders, for I admire these personal traits so much that I want to equip myself with them. I see from these characters leadership skills. They interact with people with authenticity; they make choices with decisiveness; they chase what they want without hesitation; they face obstacles with determination and courage.  They are the models of leaders and they are what I want to be in the future.  

    In the future world where competitions will only become more and more fierce, those who carry great techniques of leadership will run the world. In order not to be left behind, I think I will have to learn from to these fantastic women and make myself more competitive. Luckily, I guess I have had some of the traits with me now.