Contemplation and Creation: Practices for Quiet Leaders
Rediscovering Stillness in Kyoto
Two hours of silence passed before I even noticed.
Before the pandemic, I went to Kyoto for a solo business trip. I left one day open for myself, planning to visit as many temples as possible.
Younger me took Kyoto’s beauty for granted.
The adult me, who had rediscovered the country after years abroad, was determined to experience it fully.
Ryoan-ji was my first stop. The moment I saw the rock garden, my eyes locked on it.
I sat down.
My body stayed there for two hours.
My mind grew quiet.
My body felt lighter.
My breathing deepened.
The air on my face, the muffled voices around me—everything told me I needed to be there.
Not because my mind decided it.
Because my body knew.
That experience was pure contemplation. I still carry it with me.
Photo: Tofuku-ji’s rock garden. It’s different from Ryoan-ji I mentioned above, but it carries a similar stillness.
Why Contemplation Matters
For quiet leaders and visionaries, time is often consumed by responsibility, decision-making, and forward motion. But true clarity doesn’t come from constant effort.
It comes from stillness.
Contemplation is not an escape. It’s a way of listening more deeply—to your body, your breath, and the present moment. It creates space where clarity, intuition, and vision can rise naturally.
Journaling: From Vision to Creation
Silence offers clarity. Contemplation gives hints. But to bring clarity into action, I turn to journaling.
A pen.
A notebook.
The warm light of my favorite lamp.
That’s all it takes.
I’ve tried many approaches:
- Free writing to release what lingers.
- Structured prompts to go deeper.
- The one-minute rule when time feels scarce.
- Or simply letting the words flow.
Every time, journaling works. It bridges silence and action, giving direction to what contemplation uncovers.
It’s how I shaped the vision for Thrive Life Design—page by page, turning reflection into a clear path forward.
I still journal daily. It keeps me aligned, sharpens my decisions, and allows my vision to keep evolving.
For me, journaling isn’t just a practice. It’s the tool that turns vision into reality.
Writing in English: A Channel for Clarity
And for me, there’s one more truth: I think in English, I write in English.
Even though English is my second language, it’s the language where my thoughts and feelings move freely.
If I try to write in Japanese, my ideas stop. My handwriting can’t catch up, and the words don’t reflect what’s truly in my head or my vision.
I grew up in a household with zero English. I attended public schools in Japan, then went on to college in the U.S.
Somewhere along the way, English became my way of thinking.
It gives me a clear channel and allows me to capture my inner world in real-time, without interruption.
And yes, ChatGPT helps me polish my grammar, spot my common mistakes, and refine my writing without me spending hours trying to ensure every sentence is as close to perfect as my skills allow.
Your Reflection Practice
Both contemplation and journaling are simple practices, yet powerful tools.
- Contemplation restores stillness.
- Journaling transforms stillness into clarity and action.
- Writing in the language that frees your thinking ensures authenticity.
Together, they support quiet leadership—leading not from noise, but from depth.
Two questions just for you:
- When was the last time you surrendered to silence?
- What’s your #1 tool for turning vision into creation?
Your reflection may be the inspiration another quiet leader needs.
If this resonates, explore more about intentional reflection at Thrive Life Design—where quiet leaders find the sanctuary they need to pause, reflect, and thrive.
