Kokoro

Of the vast amount of ancient Japanese Proverbs, one of the most important and famous of these is “Mime yori kokoro.” This simply translates to “Heart rather than appearance.” In the USA, you hear individuals randomly referring to an athlete's “heart” or sheer determination assisted them in defeating an obstacle without uttering flagrant comments regarding their appearance. However, the individual's appearance is usually why the spectator is astonished that the obstacle was defeated. This Japanese Proverb is implied especially in youth based sports, yet regularly broadcasted in professional sports in this country. Outside of the sports community, this proverb is commonly utilized when individuals prejudge one another. In this scenario, an individual can be severely judged by their unorthodox appearance. Hence, they can be perceived as lazy or lacking the ability to persevere when the exact opposite would be the accurate portrayal of the individual in question. The well accepted ability to prejudge others is taught not innate. Therefore teaching “mime yori kokoro” or it's equivalent is one way to help balance the scales of inappropriate judgment without appropriate knowledge to support an assumption or decision rendered.

Regularly in the news, there are human interest stories referencing sport related topics in which the assumed “underdog” perseveres. When referencing children this very common when the individual is smaller, shorter, or younger than their opponents. The individual is praised by showing “heart” when depicting the event. Winning or loosing may not even be relevant in these situations. The mere fact that the individual tried so boldly, and completed the task at hand is relevant to the spectator. In this scenario, the individual's “heart” is the object of praise and recognition because their appearance is what usually identifies them to be in a category of their own. However, when analyzing the “heart” of an adult, other variables come into play.

Spectators are more harsh when viewing the actions of adults. In this case, a person's appearance can alter their ability to participate in non-professional sporting events. I have seen individuals not be chosen for a team where it appeared to me that this decision was based solely on the individual's appearance. Whether or not they show that they have “heart” when trying out in many cases is not enough to be selected. This form of behavior does not seem to bestow itself in professional sports. Professional athletes are performing a well paid “job”. Their personal appearance will be more tolerated as long as they do their prospective job well. Therefore, although their “heart” is commented on when completing a task when they are sick or injured, their appearance may or may not be mentioned.

When diverting oneself outside of the sport environment, the act of prejudging is very common and in many cases is initiated without provocation. Many individual's presumed ability level(s) are harshly determined by their unorthodox personal appearance. In the USA, there are several generations in the current population in which the parameters of professional or appropriate appearance is not rated on similar scales. The “cool” individuals today were vastly viewed as degenerates, lazy, or ignorant thirty to fifty years ago. The individual may not have the opportunity to show that they have “heart” so the negative stigma will not be withdrawn. Teaching “mime yori kokoro” is a Japanese proverb that would be very useful in our country. Many individuals believe that they possess this concept already, but many are ill equipped.