Photo credit: Travis Rupert@pexels.com

 

 

Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life: A Simple Summary

 

 

I recently read a book called 12 Rules for Life by a Canadian writer and psychologist, Dr. Jordan Peterson. In this book, he shares ideas about how to live a good, happy, and responsible life. Here is a simple summary of Dr. Peterson's practical advice on how to navigate life's challenges and achieve personal growth.

 

1. Stand up straight. Dr. Peterson says that good posture helps you feel stronger and more confident.

 

2. Help yourself like you help a friend. Many people give good advice to friends but forget to care for themselves. Treat yourself kindly.

 

3. Choose good friends. Spend time with people who support you and make you better, not people who bring you down.

 

4. Compare yourself with your past self, not with others. You should try to become better than you were yesterday, not better than other people.

 

5. Teach children to behave well. Children need clear rules to grow into responsible adults.

 

6. Clean your room. Before you try to fix the world, start by taking care of your own space and responsibilities.

 

7. Do things that are meaningful. Choose actions that help you grow and make life better, not just things that feel good for a short time.

 

8. Tell the truth. Being honest helps you build trust and live with less stress.

 

9. Listen to others. Everyone can teach you something. Try to understand other people before giving your opinion.

 

10. Be clear in your speech. Speak simply and directly so that others understand you well.

 

11. Don’t bother children when they are playing. Play is important for learning and creativity.

 

12. Be kind to animals. Treat pets and other living creatures with care and respect.

 

Dr. Peterson also explains why these rules matter. He says life can be difficult, and people sometimes feel confused, sad, or stressed. He believes that small actions can create big changes. Cleaning your room, telling the truth, or listening to others may seem simple, but these actions help you build good habits. Good habits make life more peaceful and organised.

 

He also talks about responsibility. This means doing the things you need to do, even when they are hard. Responsibility helps you feel proud of yourself. When you help your family, study well, or try your best at work, you grow as a person.

 

Another important idea is kindness. Being honest, choosing good friends, and listening carefully help you build strong relationships. When people trust you and support you, life becomes happier and safer.

 

Finally, Dr. Peterson says that everyone can improve. You do not need to be perfect. You only need to try to become a little better each day. His message is simple: small, daily actions can make life better for you and the people around you.

 

Source: Peterson, J. B. (2018). 12 rules for life: An antidote to chaos. Random House, Canada.

 

 

Questions:

1.    Why does Jordan Peterson say we should clean our room?

2.    What is one reason why choosing good friends is important?

3.    According to Jordan Peterson, how can small actions help us?

 

 

Scroll down for the answer key.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

1.     Because taking care of your own space and responsibilities helps you become more organised before trying to change bigger things.

2.   Good friends support you and help you become a better person.

3.   Small actions, like telling the truth or cleaning your room, help build good habits that can create big positive changes in your life.

Photo Credit: Author

 

On October 5th and October 6th, 2024, the International Symposium on Global Aging and Diversity – Counterhegemonic Narratives of Aging – Identity, Space, and Belonging at Ritsumeikan University welcomed 31 scholars from 13 different countries in person and also online through a hybrid format. If Covid-19 had any positive effects at all, it is allowing the expansion of online participation, giving opportunities for people from distant lands to join and be together through virtual space. The symposium attracted more than 150 interested audiences who registered from numerous countries throughout the world.

 

The connecting theme was a discussion about the many varieties and diversities of the aging experience. Throughout the world, in both industrialized and developing countries, low birth rate and aging populations is a shared reality. Naturally, as people are getting older and living longer, the theme of aging with autonomy, dignity, and well-being are crucial factors. Various cultures and traditions have their own methods, rituals, and styles, and exchanging ideas ignited new perspectives on mind, spirit, and body.

 

The two day symposium could not have been so successful and stimulating without the working together of our Ritsumeikan University students. It was a beautiful exchange of learning and giving. Organizing the symposium and making it happen from beginning to end, with a month long planning, was a perfect example of learning by doing and doing through learning.

 

From planning the minute by minute detail – assembling a large number of scholars scattered throughout the world under a organized and timely program, creating posters to advertise, contacting scholars to give information and directions, stage producing and directing, sound, lights, photos, and documentations, receiving important guests – the student assistants gave it all for the cause of brining an international event together. The students felt a sense of accomplishment, and I was grateful for their willingness to learn, do, and give. As we stood on the stage, holding up the poster that we brought together, after a long two-days of very hard work, the sense of celebration for a job well-done, TOGETHER, was and is truly memorable.

 

 

Questions:

1) What was the theme of the event?

2) Where did the event take place?

3) What is learning by doing?

 

Scroll down↓for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

1)    How different peoples and cultures were dealing with the aging population problem.

2)    At Ritsumeikan University and with people online from all over the world.

3)    Receiving experience and becoming better at a skill by practicing, and in this case, run a conference, to learn by having practical training.

Photo Credit: Rachel Xiao@pexels.com


On July 27, 2025, Ichiro Suzuki finally joined the most sacred circle of Major League Baseball: the National Baseball Hall of Fame. In a moment of grace at Cooperstown, he became the first Japanese-born position player to be enshrined, almost unanimously. The moment felt surreal to him, as Ichiro began his major league career with few expectations despite his brilliant achievements in Japan. In his speech, he expressed deep gratitude to everyone who believed in him and honored those who paved the way, including Hideo Nomo.

I never doubted his success in the Major League as a huge fan of his, but Ichiro’s path to Cooperstown was anything but typical. He joined the league at the age of twenty-seven, not exactly a young age for a rookie. Some people thought he might not succeed in the Major League because he was physically smaller than other players. However, he won both Rookie of the Year and MVP in his debut season. He collected 3,089 hits, a .311 batting average, and ten Gold Gloves over the 19 seasons he played in the U.S.

Ichiro did not just talk about his baseball career. He reflected upon the sense of belonging and the emotional weight of the life journey. One of the most compelling parts of his story is how he embraced life outside his comfort zone. Ichiro has visited the Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown multiple times over the years. He did not merely dream of his own induction but used the place as a sanctuary. He once said that Cooperstown was a place where he could go back to basics when self-doubt crept in.

The idea of leaving comfort was not limited to Ichiro’s baseball career. When Ichiro announced his retirement, he emphasized the importance of challenging himself and not staying in a familiar environment. In a retirement press conference, Ichiro said that becoming a foreigner made him think more deeply about other people. Those were the most striking words for me, as I could relate to the story as someone who spent several years in the U.S. as a foreigner.

Ichiro acknowledged that he often was lonely. However, he did not see that as a weakness but as growth. Rather than running away from pain, he argued, it was important to face it while he still had the energy and ambition. Ichiro said that that kind of growth has shaped him as a person.
For me, Ichiro’s Hall-of-Fame moment was not just about hits or awards. It was about pushing beyond where we feel safe. As an English teacher, I often recommend that my students go abroad because I hope they can have an opportunity to reflect and emphasize, just like Ichiro did. Ichiro’s anecdotes teach us that stepping into discomfort can help us grow in ways we never expected.



Questions
Q1. Why did Ichiro’s induction into the Hall of Fame feel surreal to him? 
A.    He had never visited Cooperstown before.
B.    He began his MLB career with modest expectations despite earlier success in Japan.
C.    He believed he would not be accepted by American fans.
D.    He was the youngest player ever inducted.

Q2. What does the passage suggest about Ichiro’s view on stepping out of one’s comfort zone?
A.    It is unnecessary if a person is already successful.
B.    It should only be done when someone faces failure.
C.    It leads to personal growth and deeper empathy.
D.    It is mainly useful for improving baseball skills.

Q3. Why does the writer relate personally to Ichiro’s reflections on being a foreigner?
A.    The writer also plays professional baseball.
B.    The writer lived in the U.S. for several years as a foreigner.
C.    The writer visited Cooperstown many times.
D.    The writer struggled to learn English as a child.


Scroll down for answers. ↓




















Answers
Q1. B
Q2. C
Q3. B

Vocabulary
erroneously – incorrectly
cognizant – know something
Questions:
1.    What are the two translations for “kawara” mentioned in the essay?  
2.    Why does the author think the area was named after the river’s bed? 
3.    What do most people think of when they hear “Kawaramachi” today?
Answers:
A1. “Roof tiles” and “River plain”
A2. To warn residents of the risk of flooding
A3. Shopping

Photo credit: @unsplash

Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in the United Kingdom. It has many traditions that help to make the time special. People decorate their homes, and many of the themes of decorations will be familiar to people in Japan. Two of these are: snowmen and Father Christmas. Both of these are also well-known because of the work of the British illustrator and author, Raymond Briggs. 

Like Japan, in many parts of the UK, it snows in winter, and children enjoy building snowmen in their gardens. In his picture book, The Snowman, Briggs tells the story of a boy who builds a snowman that magically comes to life. As the book has no words, only pictures, it is easy for everyone to enjoy.

The Snowman was also made into an animated film, and the song, “Walking in the Air” from the film is now a classic in the UK at Christmas time. Many families watch the film every year, and it has become part of British Christmas culture.

While the story of The Snowman is quite simple, Raymond Briggs is also famous for another character – Father Christmas, who is a bit more complicated. His Father Christmas is a little grumpy and doesn’t like the cold – he's very human. You can also find this book in Japan: the original title “Father Christmas” has been translated as 『さむがりやのサンタ』. It, too, was made into an animated film which has also long been a favourite on TV at Christmas. Interestingly, when the film was shown in the USA, the voice of Father Christmas was changed – he was no longer grumpy, but jolly. He didn’t say “Blooming Christmas” but “Merry Christmas”, and he certainly didn’t drink too much when he went on holiday. 

 

Both of these characters show how old traditions can be updated and renewed, keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. 

 

Merry Blooming Christmas!

 

 

 Questions

1.  Which book(s) mentioned were made into films?

2.  What is unusual about Raymond Briggs’ book The Snowman? 

3.  How is Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas different from the traditional Santa Claus?

 

Scroll down for answers

1. The Snowman, Father Christmas

2. It has no words.

3. He is grumpy and doesn’t like the cold.

Have you ever heard of the Yonaguni Undersea Ruins? They are one of Japan’s mysteries. Many people in Japan have never heard of them, but divers around the world know this strange and beautiful place. The ruins are under the sea, near Yonaguni Island in Okinawa.

In 1986, a local diver discovered something surprising while swimming near the island. He saw huge stone shapes on the sea floor. The shapes looked like steps, walls, and even roads. Everything looked very straight and sharp, almost like they were cut by people. The diver thought he had found an ancient city under the sea.

But here is the mystery: no one knows if the ruins are natural or human-made.

Some scientists say the Yonaguni ruins were made by nature. They believe the rocks slowly broke into shapes over thousands of years. Strong waves, earthquakes, and wind may have created straight lines in the rock. According to these scientists, the ruins are beautiful, but not made by humans.

Other researchers say the ruins look too perfect to be natural. The steps are very even. The walls look straight. Some stones look like they were placed carefully. There is also a wide, flat “plaza” that looks like a meeting place.

Some people believe Yonaguni was once part of a very old civilization from more than 10,000 years ago, before the sea level rose. If this is true, the ruins could be one of the oldest human structures in the world.

The ruins are deep underwater, so it is difficult to study them. Divers can only stay down for a short time. Also, there are no clear signs of tools, pottery, or human bones. Without these, it is hard to prove that people built the ruins.

Because there is not enough evidence, the mystery continues. Are the shapes natural rock formations? Or did people build them long ago?

Today, many divers visit Yonaguni Island to see the ruins with their own eyes. The water is clear and blue. Hammerhead sharks even swim nearby in winter. Whether the ruins are natural or human-made, they are one of Japan’s most interesting and mysterious places.

If you visit Okinawa, you can see the ruins yourself and decide what you think they really are.

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Useful Vocabulary

ruins – old buildings that are broken or destroyed
civilization – a large, organized society in history
plaza – a flat open space
formation – the shape something has
evidence – information that shows something is true

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Comprehension Questions

A. Multiple Choice

1. Where are the Yonaguni ruins located?
   a) Near Tokyo
   b) Under the sea in Okinawa
   c) In South America
   
   

2. When were the ruins discovered?
   a) 1986
   b) 1960
   c) 2010
   
   

3. What do some scientists believe?
   a) The ruins were made by aliens
   b) The ruins are natural rock formations
   c) The ruins are a modern building
   
   

4. Why is it difficult to study the ruins?
   a) They are too dangerous to touch
   b) They are underwater
   c) They are in a desert

Scroll down for the answers

Answers

1. b) Under the sea in Okinawa
   
   

2. a) 1986
   
   

3. b) The ruins are natural rock formations
   
   

4. b) They are underwater