"戻ってきます"

When we hear "I shall return," it's hard not to think of General Douglas MacArthur during World War II. In the simplest terms, he was promising to come back and reclaim what was lost during a dark time. It's about not giving up, even when the odds are stacked against you.

MacArthur said this in 1942 when he was ordered to leave the Philippines in the face of advancing Japanese forces. It was a bleak moment. Abandoning his troops and the Filipino people was gut-wrenching for him. Yet, he made a solemn vow to return and liberate them, which he did two and a half years later. His declaration became a beacon of hope during desperate times.

Let’s make this real with an example. Think about J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Before she became a household name, she faced numerous rejections from publishers. She was even a single mother living on welfare, struggling to make ends meet. But she didn't give up. In a sense, her determination echoed MacArthur’s vow. She kept at it, believing in her story and her ability to succeed. Eventually, she did. Today, she’s one of the most successful authors in history.

Now, how do you apply this to your own life? Let’s say you’ve hit a major setback—maybe you didn’t get that job you really wanted or your startup idea failed. Remember MacArthur. Don’t just throw in the towel. Take a step back, reassess your strategy, and get ready to come back stronger. It’s about resilience and perseverance. It's okay to take a moment to lick your wounds, but then you’ve got to get back in the game.

Imagine two friends having a conversation over coffee. One of them, Alex, has just been rejected from their dream grad school program. They’re devastated. The other, Jamie, shares a story about MacArthur. Jamie says, “Remember when General MacArthur was forced to leave the Philippines? He didn't just throw up his hands in defeat. He promised to return, and he did. You can do the same. Maybe this grad school wasn’t the right fit. Maybe there's something even better out there. You just have to keep pushing.”

Alex looks up, a spark of hope returning to their eyes. “You’re right,” they say. “I’ll find another way. I’ll keep going.”

And that’s the heart of it. This isn’t about big military strategies or world-changing decisions. It's about the everyday battles we all face. Whether it's a career setback, a personal failure, or just a tough day, the promise to return—to try again—is what keeps us moving forward. So next time you’re feeling knocked down, remember those three words. They’re a reminder that you’re not done yet. You’ve got more fight in you. You just have to make that promise to yourself: “I shall return.”