๐ INTRODUCTION
Many people dream of meaningful work and a successful career.
Yet even when they achieve their goals, workplace stress, conflicts with coworkers, disappointment in others, and the pressure to meet expectations can gradually become overwhelming.
Some people try harder.
Some work longer hours.
Others push themselves relentlessly.
But often, the real burden comes not from the work itself, but from the thoughts, expectations, and emotional wounds carried inside the mind.
This meditation testimonial shares the story of Mi-jin K., a Design Planner, whose life was shaped by responsibility, high standards, and a strong desire to do what was right.
After losing her mother at a young age and sacrificing her childhood dream to support her family, she devoted herself to working hard and living responsibly.
Yet despite her efforts, workplace conflicts and emotional burdens continued to follow her.
Through this meditation, she gradually learned how to let go of stress, expectations, pride, and self-centered thinking.
As her mind changed, her relationships improved, her work became more enjoyable, and she discovered a new perspective on success, happiness, and gratitude.
๐ฌ MEDITATION TESTIMONIAL: โTHE BEGINNING OF A HAPPY WORK LIFE STARTS WITH LETTING GO OF STRESSโ
By Mi-jin K. | Design Planner
Since childhood, my dream was to become a cartoonist.
But when I was in eighth grade, my mother passed away from stomach cancer.
I was heartbroken that I could not properly care for her and was not even able to be by her side when she passed away.
After that, I carried longing for my mother deep within my heart.
I felt I should never become a disappointment to her memory.
I also believed I needed to become a good example for my younger siblings.
Because of that, I lived very diligently and strictly followed rules and principles.
๐ง๏ธ WHEN LIFE TOOK A DIFFERENT DIRECTION
During high school, Korea experienced the IMF financial crisis.
My family’s financial situation became difficult.
As the sixth of seven children, I eventually gave up my dream of becoming a cartoonist and entered the Armed Forces Nursing Academy, where tuition was fully covered.
Even during my years as a military nurse officer, my strong personality remained unchanged.
In a culture where obedience to authority was highly valued, I still refused to compromise my opinions, even with senior officers.
As a result, conflicts often followed me.
Later, after pursuing my dream and entering the design industry, the same patterns appeared again.
๐ โWITHOUT MEDITATION, I MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTINUE WORKINGโ
Today, I develop character designs, corporate identity systems, and branding projects for companies and public organizations.
My work requires constant communication between designers, supervisors, and clients.
But the comments I heard most often were:
“You’re too strict.”
“You’re too rigid.”
“You’re too strong.”
Conflicts increased.
Workloads increased.
Stress accumulated.
Honestly, without meditation, I may not have been able to continue my career.
๐ โI WANTED TO ESCAPE THE WOUNDS PEOPLE GAVE MEโ
Several years ago, an experience completely shattered my values.
After becoming exhausted from work, I took a leave of absence and returned to my long-held passion for literature.
I met a poet I deeply admired.
For years, I had viewed that person’s work as representing the ideal direction of my life.
But after spending time with that individual, I became deeply disappointed.
The reality felt completely different from the beauty expressed through the poetry.
The shock was overwhelming.
Not only did my expectations about that person collapse, but many of the ideals I had cherished since childhood also disappeared.
I desperately wanted to escape that emotional pain.
That was when a friend introduced me to meditation.
๐ช โAS I REFLECTED ON MY LIFE, I SAW MY TRUE SELFโ
During meditation, I reviewed my entire life.
I reflected upon the people I had met and the experiences I had accumulated.
I saw:
โข My longing for my mother
โข My desire to be a model person
โข My rigid standards about what was right and wrong
โข My constant need for recognition
I realized I had spent much of my life wanting to win, be acknowledged, and appear successful.
Even my artistic activities often came from a desire to appear refined, intelligent, and sophisticated.
As I sincerely reflected on those thoughts and let them go, my perspective changed completely.
I gradually escaped from self-centered thinking.
My unrealistic expectations toward others disappeared.
The constant pressure I placed on myself also began to fade away.
๐ฟ โI REALIZED THAT ALL CONFLICT BEGAN FROM MEโ
One of the most important realizations I had was this:
The reason I constantly clashed with people was because my own mental framework had been so rigid.
I even wrote a letter to the poet.
I admitted that it had been arrogant of me to judge that person.
I also apologized to a design director with whom I had frequently argued.
After completing meditation and returning to work, I made a sincere commitment to live more humbly.
And I realized that true humility can only emerge after letting go of false minds.
That was the kind of life I had always admired.
โจ AS MY MIND OPENED, MY WORK AND RELATIONSHIPS CHANGED
Around the time I began meditation, someone told me:
“When a person completely lets go of their mind and becomes one with the universe, they become both the wisest and most beautiful.”
At the time, I did not fully understand.
But as my mind gradually became lighter, I experienced it directly.
The people around me naturally helped me grow.
Coworkers offered advice.
Supervisors shared wisdom.
Friends practicing meditation encouraged me.
Instead of rejecting suggestions, I began accepting them with gratitude.
As a result:
โข My designs improved
โข My relationships improved
โข My thinking became wiser
โข My outlook became brighter
Even when teaching design and branding classes, my focus changed.
Instead of worrying about teaching well, I simply wanted to help others sincerely.
Because of that, I could better understand what people truly needed.
๐ DISCOVERING GRATITUDE IN WORK AND LIFE
Junior coworkers often ask how I manage stress so well.
The answer is simple.
When you constantly seek recognition and approval, conflict naturally arises whenever those desires are not fulfilled.
But when those minds are released, even the same workplace feels completely different.
Instead of working only for myself, I now feel grateful that my talents can be used to benefit others.
Because of that gratitude, I naturally want to do my best.
Before meditation, I dreamed vaguely about a happy life without knowing how to create it.
Now I know there is a practical method:
Let go of stress.
Let go of obsession.
Let go of worry.
And do your best each day.
That is where a truly happy work life begins.
