"誰も見ないことに決めたことが一番明らかなのに説明するのが一番難しい。"

Explaining something obvious can be incredibly difficult when everyone has collectively decided to ignore it. It's like trying to point out a giant pink elephant in the room that everyone is pretending isn’t there. We all have those moments when the truth stares us in the face, but due to various reasons—social norms, fear, denial—we just refuse to acknowledge it.

To give you some context, this idea speaks to the human tendency to avoid uncomfortable truths. It’s not confined to any specific time or place. It happens in families, workplaces, societies—the list goes on. Often, the more apparent and undeniable the reality, the harder people work to pretend it doesn’t exist. When someone tries to bring it up, it’s met with resistance, confusion, or even hostility.

Let’s talk about a concrete example. Imagine you’re in a meeting at work. The company is bleeding money, and everyone knows it’s due to a failing product line. It’s obvious—the sales reports, the customer feedback, the dwindling market share. Yet, every time someone tries to talk about it, the conversation gets sidetracked. Perhaps the boss quickly changes the subject, or colleagues play it down, suggesting the issue will resolve itself. Everyone decides, almost subconsciously, to avoid the glaring problem. Now, when someone brave enough points out the obvious, they’re often met with blank stares or defensive responses. It’s not because the problem isn’t real—it’s because everyone has chosen not to see it.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your life? Start by being honest with yourself. Acknowledge those glaring truths you’re avoiding. It might be about your health, your relationships, or even your career. Once you recognize them, gently and respectfully bring them up with others involved. Use “I” statements to avoid sounding accusatory. For instance, “I’ve noticed our product line isn’t performing well lately, and I think we should discuss solutions.” Be prepared for resistance, but stay calm and persistent. Change often starts with a single person willing to speak up.

Imagine you’re at a family dinner, and there’s a long-standing issue everyone avoids—like your brother’s drinking problem. Everyone knows it’s there, but no one talks about it. It’s the pink elephant. You take a deep breath and say, “I love you all, and I’m worried about John’s drinking. I think we need to talk about how we can support him.” The room goes silent. People fidget. Your mom might say, “Oh, it’s not that bad,” and your dad might change the subject. But you’ve planted a seed. Maybe not everyone is ready to see the elephant yet, but you’ve started the process.

Facing glaringly evident issues head-on can be tough. People might react defensively because it’s hard to accept what they’ve been avoiding. But by gently, persistently pointing out the truth, you help create spaces where authentic conversations can happen. In time, others might start to see the elephant too. It’s about breaking through that collective decision to ignore and paving the way for honesty and change.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. We all have our elephants. The key is to be brave enough to acknowledge them and compassionate enough to help others see them too.