What living in Japan taught me about Seneca's Definition of Happiness

Since moving to the United States after many years in Japan, I've found myself reflecting on the lessons that stayed with me. Some of them came from conversations, some from experiences, and some from Japanese expressions that carried more wisdom than I understood at the time. Recently, those memories came flooding back when I read a quote from Seneca: "To be happy, eliminate two things: the fear of a bad future and the memory of a bad past."

The quote resonated immediately because it describes a tendency I know all too well. Like many people, I can spend far too much time imagining problems that never materialize while replaying moments that cannot be changed. What struck me, though, was how much Seneca's observation echoed ideas I encountered during my years in Japan.

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