I migrated to this area, Oita Prefecture, last month. I began to see how to enjoy this area gradually. Today, I will introduce an example of how to use individuality through my nearby shrine.
How to find and use our individuality
Sometimes, we want to find and use our individuality. It frees us from competition and allows us to create our own value effortlessly.
Competition often exhausts us, especially if we have individuality. It might be exciting if we think we can win, but it stresses us if we remain unwinnable.
That is why we want to find and use our individuality.
However, we sometimes don’t know how to make it happen.
Today, I will introduce an example of how to enjoy a new year in my nearby shrine. This might tell you how to find and use individuality well.
An example of having unique fun in my neighborhood
There is a shrine called Nada Shrine near my residence. It is an unusual rural shrine, adjacent to the long, wide beach.
In Japanese tradition, people visit a shrine on New Year’s Day. They celebrate New Year for three days: Jan. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.
Usually, shrines are the most crowded on the 1st. After the 2nd, they are often quiet.
However, I was surprised to see many people visit this Nada Shrine even after the 2nd.
There was a reason for that. It was a unique way the neighbors enjoyed the shrine and the beach. In other words, that is a way to use the shrine’s individuality. Let me explain it.
How to enjoy the winter beach
Usually, we don’t go to the winter beach because it is cold. However, people in this area enjoyed it uniquely in the new year.
This shrine with the beach was an entertainment place, especially for families with little children. A sandbox is an interesting playground for little children. However, a sandbox is usually not large.
But here, there is a vast sandy beach. They can have fun in a wide area. They are with their friends and their families, so it is fun just to play chase with them. For little children, it is interesting to run with a new ground sensation. Of course, they can play in many ways as a sandbox. The sand is warm if it is a fine day.
It is also convenient for parents. They can visit a shrine with family. In addition, they can let their children play with less anxiety. The sand is soft, and children will not be injured, even if they fall.
During the days of New Year, everywhere is crowded. However, they can relax in a large area here. This beach is large enough.
Parents groups can interact with each other on a beautiful beach. This area seldom snows and is not so cold. Even when it gets cold, the shrine provides people with a big bonfire to warm up. They can use it.
The creativeness of the shrine: a big bonfire
By the way, there was a good creative example to help those families. It was the big bonfire of the shrine.
There is a pine forest as a windbreak along the beach. Naturally, there are also many pine trees, including fallen old trees. The land of the shrine is vast. There would be fallen trees every year.
They can use those fallen trees. Pine wood burns easily and long. Pine wood is the best for bonfires. In addition, they can dispose of unnecessary waste wood and provide people with warmth as heating.
The new game I created: The Pine Cone Fight
I also created a new play for those families. I call it the pine cone fight.
This area doesn’t snow, so people cannot play snowball fights.
However, there are countless fallen pine cones along this beachside. We can use them and play like snowball fights.
Of course, pine cones are a little painful if we hit them directly at close range, so we add new rules. We throw at each other at a little distance. We have to throw it into the sky, and pine cones slow down because they have a lot of air resistance. That makes this fight enjoyable and safe. There is also no need to clean up after the game because pine cones return to nature.
Perhaps this game entertains children, especially small children. This could also be a way to enjoy this area. You may also create a new thing based on your senses if you come to a unique place like here.
Combining the uniqueness to create a new way
Those combinations of uniqueness create a uniquely enjoyable way for families in this area. Those families can have a nice time for free.
After playing for about 30 minutes to an hour, they drive home or go to the next destination.
Using individuality is like that. We enjoy more with less money or resources. We combine special, affordable things to create a unique way to enjoy.
If we use such individuality, we can win against big opponents in some areas. Some people, like families with small children, can enjoy similar fun at an amusement park for free.
Conclusion
That was an example of how to enjoy a new year in my nearby shrine.
Combinations of uniqueness create a unique way.
This example might tell you how to find and use individuality well.
Thank you for reading this article. I hope to see you in the next one.
