What Is A Ninja and Why I Want To Be One (Part 1)

Today I am going to share with you the backstory of why I want to be a ninja and what is a ninja. On Thursday I will publish a follow up post on the Hairy Edge. Make sure to look out for it. 

Nice to Meet You

Hi, my name is Izzy. I’m about to turn 30 and I want to be a ninja. It’s my childhood dream.  Sounds a little funny right?

A nearly 30-year-old man has a quarter-life-crisis and decides he wants to be a ninja.

But there is a slight twist in all of this.

I don’t simply want it.

I am doing it. 

I quit my job, I moved to Japan, and I’m trying to become a ninja.

The 2 Questions What and Why

There are 2 questions that I always get when I tell people I want to be a ninja.

What is a ninja?

Why do you want to be a ninja?  

Question 1: What is a Ninja?

When I say “I want to be a ninja” I am talking about the ninja from my 8 year old brain, not a traditional ninja.  The definition of a ninja according to my 8 year old brain is someone who moves to a far away land, becomes an expert in martial arts, and follows his own set of rules.

It sounds good on paper, but how does this look in real life?  Well, I live in the historic capital of Japan, Kyoto, and I train in martial arts 5 days per week. I teach English part time on the side to support myself.

Question 2: Why do you want to be a ninja?

The simple answer is, I love martial arts and think ninjas are cool. But this answer does an incredible disservice to the truth.

A ninja represents a particular philosophy and approach to life I admire.

I am tired of being fed the lie that I must go to college, get a degree, find a secure job, and work 40+ years in a job that slowly sucks the life out of me every single day.  Does that sound arrogant? Do I sound like some ungrateful kid? Do I need to just grow up and accept “that’s life”?

I used to be a teacher in Los Angeles. I had it made in terms of bullet points on a resume. I was getting a master’s degree, moving up the leadership pipeline, and soon to be running my own school. To the outside world, I had it made.

My parents talked about me with pride, my friends “oohed” and “ahhhed” as I spoke about the challenges of teaching in the inner city.

I impressed others with my ambitious plans to change education and eventually run my own school.

Only one problem: come my fourth year of teaching, things changed. I changed, the job changed, my attitude changed, the school changed. A bunch of small changes equals massive change.

Soon, I found myself waking up every night at 2 am. I couldn’t fall back asleep. I would run through all of the events of the upcoming day. My anxiety was shooting through the roof. All I could do was worry. I was overwhelmed and burnt out.

I tried to tell myself

It’s just a phase. You’ll get over it. You love teaching.

I was wrong.

Two months into the school year I was driving on a Saturday afternoon when it hit me. I had to stop lying to myself. I pulled over to the side of the road and cried.

I had done everything I was supposed to do to be happy and successful.  I had the degrees, I had a secure job, I was saving money, I was moving up the ladder and…

I hated my life and the direction my life was taking.

It was that moment when I realized things had to change, that I had to change.

Fast-forward 3 years.

I will never go back to that life, to that moment, to those bullshit beliefs.

I refuse to partake in the lie. I will not work at a job I hate, slowly move up the ladder, lose sleep every night and work myself into depression to achieve success.

I tried what society says I should do to be happy, and it didn’t work.

So now I choose to write the script, not follow it. [Click to tweet]

The Chasm

There is a great chasm between where I am today and where I was then.

Now, I live in Japan. I am thrilled everyday. I am doing what I love. I laugh constantly, I smile endlessly, I often am so excited for the following day I struggle to fall asleep.  But it did not happen over night. It took me 3 years to get to this point.

It takes time.

I share my process to encourage you to begin to discover the life you have always wanted.

The Follow Up

On Thursday I am publishing a follow up post that will explain specific steps that helped me discover my dream. This post is going to be featured over at The Hairy Edge. As soon as it goes live, I will update this page with a link.

If you are already a subscriber you will get an email with the link. I am really excited about the upcoming post because it is going to provide you with real concrete steps that you can take to begin to discover your dreams and purpose.  

Think about the following questions and then share your thoughts in the comments section.

Why do you follow a dream? What compelled you to step forward and dare to follow your dream?

Or if you are struggling to start your dream

What will it take for you to start moving toward your dream? 

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  • Will

    Izzy,

    “I am tired of being fed the lie that I must go to college, get a degree, find a secure job, and work 40+ years in a job that slowly sucks the life out of me every single day.”

    This quote is also why I started my own journey but it first started with wanting financial freedom (aka “Life Freedom). If you are familiar at all with Robert Kiyosaki’s books (“Rich Dad, Poor Dad”) he also speaks about the lie of “go to school, get a secure job, buy a house, and get married.” Oh and don’t forget become a wage slave. This is the “matrix” many people get stuck in until it’s too late.

    I just recently watched “Office Space” with a couple young cousins this weekend and although they thought it was very funny they don’t understand the real message in the movie. It’s obvious you do because you quit your job, took massive action, and are now the “director” of your own life story.

    Reading this blog has really helped me take massive action and has also inspired me to really think about the life I want to live.

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      Yo Will,

      You bring up some seriously important and powerful context (as usual). I’m reading a book called “The Millionaire FastLane” by MJ DeMarco. Initially I was turned off by the title but it came highly reccomended by Pat Flynn so I decided to check it out. A lot of the concept I already bought into but he articulates it in a manner that is really blowing my mind.

      He brings up that exact idea of being a “wage slave”. I think he call it indentured servitude. He discusses how we basically buy into this lie that we have to work at a company and give our life to them to earn freedom. He articulates it way better than that. It is actually funny, because as I was reading this I thought to myself often “I should tell Will about this book”.

      He even goes on to explain why the whole traditional “get rich slow” philosophy is horrible. Though, I don’t completely agree with him on all his point and I don’ think the traditional slow investing model is “horrible” (as he puts it) he does bring up some huge flaws.

      The simple reality is that someday your cousins will probably learn the truth the hard way.

      I have heard of Robert Kiyosaki’s book so many times. I’m really enjoying this book I am currently reading and want to find more similar to it. I think Rich Dad Poor Dad might fit that perfectly.

      I’m glad reading this blog has helped inspire you. That is why I write. Just to give you a warning: I have a few questions for you regarding on some ideas on how I might be changing the content on this site (when we skype). Be ready :) .

  • http://twitter.com/EnsoJourney Alejandro Reyes

    Izzy, I think you really nailed something truly important on this article: “A ninja represents a particular philosophy and approach to life I admire.”
    That’s the whole point, to live a life with a philosophy we love. To refuse to accept what others have told us, all the “shoulds” and “musts”, must be turned in the things you really want. I’m really waiting for one day to see a video posted here, you’ll be smiling and tehn you will break a brick and finally say you did it.
    That day we will have an amazing party my dear friend. :)

    • Ellen Berg

      But with the brick breaking, he must have a slow-motion replay or it won’t be nearly as legit. Maybe the music from the Six-Million Dollar Man playing in the background.

      • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

        Hell Yeah! Super slow motion. I might not only have background music but possibly a live band (though that will be tricky with the slow motion portion).

        • http://twitter.com/EnsoJourney Alejandro Reyes

          I love the slow motion idea, and don’t worry about the music, we will figure it out, maybe there is a band out there that really knows how to tackle this kind of project. We should ask around. :)

          • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

            First steps first my man! I will start today by breaking toothpicks – WITH MY FIST! Though I will refrain from posting this on YouTube as I don’t think this will get that many hits :) .

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      Alex, boy did this make me smile (I’m still smiling ear to ear!). I will be thrilled when that day comes as well. And yes, I will be smiling the whole time.

      But the reason I will be smiling isn’t simply because of the act of breaking a brick. It is because it represents exactly what you are talking about. To me, the act of breaking a brick represents the blood, sweat, and tears of following a dream.

      It is a real tangible act that shows I have taken the steps to follow a dream and am truly living it out.

      I hope someday to post that video on this site my man :)

      • http://twitter.com/EnsoJourney Alejandro Reyes

        You know I will be waiting for that video! But yes, it’s more like a gate than a brick, it’s an act of accomplishment, One that we are going to love! :)

        • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

          Yes, a gate :) . I like that. Your support is always appreciated brother!

  • Ellen Berg

    “I am tired of being fed the lie that I must go to college, get a degree, find a secure job, and work 40+ years in a job that slowly sucks the life out of me every single day.”

    It’s so important to question the assumption that there’s only one path to success and happiness, only one definition of success. Fortunately I see my students (current and past) questioning the lie, pushing against it. It helps that we’re a hippie school that focuses on critical thinking, but even the adults advocate the college-career-family path because they can’t see something different. It gets harder to question the lie the longer you live it–you’re enmeshed with mortgages, ego, responsibilities. But: I see so many of my contemporaries who are miserable, going from purchase to purchase, living off temporary highs, deflated as their lives remain their lives.

    To reference Dylan Thomas, I refuse to go gently into that good night.

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      This is straight up deep Ellen. Wow! I love this line:
      “It’s so important to question the assumption that there’s only one path to success and happiness, only one definition of success.” I had to quote you on Twitter.

      You bring up points that are crazy because they are so darn true! I say they are crazy because of the huge impact it has on our society. But it is difficult, because how can people teach something that they do not understand. The only reason you are able to teach your students to be critical thinkers, to question the lie, is because you do it.

      But if someone doesn’t do it, they cannot teach it. Correct?

      It is such a tricky balance. I think that college, education, and our system can be wonderful But only if it is approached in the right manner. The problem is that few approach it with the right attitude. I fell just as hard for this as anyone I know. When i was 18 and someone said “why are you going to college?” My response was simple “So, I can get a job.” How naive and wrong is that?

      I had the wrong approach. And consequentially my first year I paid for it. But through time, experience, and struggle I have learned that is the wrong way to approach life.

      Like you said, we have to be willing to question the lie. It is tricky because to discover the truth we have to figure out ourselves and it is a process. People tend to resist process and try to find quick fixes.

      I think what you are dong with your your students is incredible. They are very lucky. I still remember the few teachers I had that challenged me and all my fellow students to question the lie. Mr. Boynton’s approach to life has impacted me to this very day :) .

      • Ellen Berg

        No, you can’t teach what you don’t know OR at least aren’t trying to figure out. It’s why so many English teachers are such sucky writing teachers–they don’t write themselves, never wrote for real. They think of writing as Right or Wrong instead of degrees of skill with the purpose of communicating one’s message.

        I guess I was blessed with a father who was skeptical of EVERYTHING after he was drafted for the Vietnam War. He’d asked for a postponement because my mother was pregnant with me and having some bleeding, and the lady from the draft board said, “With so many of our boys dying in Vietnam, what does it matter what happens to your wife and unborn child?” That experienced caused him to see the proverbial man behind the curtain, and so I grew up with more than a heaping helping of skepticism.

        The thing is, kids are observant and they know it’s all a lie. Some want to believe, but they see adults miserable and resigned, and their actions don’t line up with their words. Teenagers and children GET what life is about, but we sort of scare them and brainwash them out of that belief, and they become just another person buying the next biggest flat screen and wondering how they became so old.

        If there’s a silver lining with the economic collapse in our world, it’s that more and more people are questioning the lie. But first, those who bought into it have to mourn and come to terms with it. But awareness is always the first step.

        • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

          Truly powerful stuff Ellen.

          I cannot emphasize enough how lucky your students are to have you. It is rare that 1) a teacher understands this point of view and 2) is able to communicate it and teach it to the students.

          One of the skills I am trying to develop is improving my ability to write headline. Right now, I pretty much suck at it :) . I was thinking to myself “I never had a teacher EVER explain to me how to write a headline. I was blown away by this. Headlines are a huge F’ing deal yet nobody ever taught me how to do it.

          It comes down to the reality that none of my teachers were real writers. Because they never wrote, the importance of a headline never even crossed their mind.

          Your right kids do understand that something isn’t right about the way adults are living their lives. But it is incredibly difficult to challenge those beliefs. Especially because the only way to truly know it is a lie, is to step out into the world and actually try to make the most of our lives. It is way harder done than said.

          Unfortunately many people just give up and buy into the lie. Then they teach their kids the lie, and it continues to move down from generation to generation. The question is: how can the cycle be broken?

          This is what you and I are trying to do. We are trying to reveal the lie to people. Once the lie is revealed then they can begin to discover the truth.

          • Ellen Berg

            Well, I can’t help you with the title/headline because I struggle with it myself. I’m too wordy. Got myself paralyzed by all the advice out there re: blogging titles, so I finally let go and just put something there. I’ll get there eventually.

            And yeah…I get my ass handed to me by parents from time to time. But I’m not going to stop pushing kids to be thinkers because it’s far too important for our world.

  • Jody Lamb

    Izzy-san, you are the only blogger who never fails to make me laugh aloud and nod like ‘word’ with EVERY SINGLE POST. Skills, dude, skills! It’s so nice to read about your happiness and know that you’ve reached this point — as a result of a ton of courage and determination. You inspire me so much.

    “So now I choose to write the script, not follow it.” – This really speaks me in particular. It truly is a choice – a terrifying one that requires a ton of courage — to write your own script. There are copies of other scripts being shuffled in every direction. It’s so easy to just grab a pre-made one and follow it. Everything will fall into place as planned just perfectly enough to vacuum up what makes your soul special. It just comes down to one moment when you make the decision to write your own script. Then you’re never the same, for the better.

    In many ways, I want to be a ninja like you, Izzy-san. I want to spend the rest of my life using the skills I was blessed with to help young people and all others cope with and help their alcoholic loved ones. Three years ago, I began preparing for this life endeavor and this November, my first novel for tweens will be released. It’s the first of many to come. While I’m writing stories and planning for the next steps, I work hard at my day job, smiling all the while in cubicle land, because I know one day, I will spend my days working for my purpose and reach where you are today, Izzy-san. Thank you for being an inspiration.

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      Dang Ms. Lamb, your getting deep today :) . I dig it!

      “it truly is a choice – a terrifying one that requires a ton of courage — to write your own script.”

      You are landing on some really powerful stuff here. I deal with this all the time. It is incredibly empowering to realize that we are the ones who write the script. But it is also SO scary because if we don’t write it, then it won’t happen. If big things are going to happen in our lives then we have to make it happen. You know this just as well as I do Ms. Lamb! You went crazy style (that’s a good thing) to get your book published. You recognized it is a choice and you made chose to make it happen.

      Your second point is the reason why i started this site. I believe that every person has their own Ninja. We all want to do something that is unique to us has human beings. But it can be really difficult to figure it out amidst all the noise.

      My sister summed it up rather nicely when I was talking to her a while ago. She said:
      “Izzy everyone has a their own Ninja. We all want to do something special. Your ninja is that you actually want to be a ninja. Other people might want to travel the world, become a doctor, or live in the country. We all have dreams.”

      I like how she was able to sum it up and it makes me really happy that you are able to make this connection. I think I need to make it more explicit that this is why I write on this site. This is possibly a future post.

  • http://www.facebook.com/naomilancet Renee Naomi Lancet

    I am from Tokyo, and I have never seen a ninja…..or a gaijin ninja ;)
    I’m sure you can teach me a lot about Japan I haven’t known.

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      Haha Maybe Renee :) . Welcome to our community.

      I bet you could teach me quite a bit as well. What part of Tokyo do you live in?

      I’m not a ninja yet. Though, in time I do hope to be one. Maybe some day I will be able to gladly say “I am a gaijin Ninja”. I like the sound of that.

  • http://www.devacoaching.com Sandi Amorim

    When I think of Chris Guillebeau’s question, “How do you live a remarkable life in a conventional world?” I think of you Izzy. Choosing to write your own script is no small feat. It’s one we’re not taught by family or traditional education and it’s going to take a lot more people like you and @disqus_Sr9gbjZAwB:disqus to cause this revolution! Keep it coming :)

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      I feel very humbled by your comment Sandi. Thank you for saying that. But I will be the first to say, I have a long way to go and to grow.

      I think it is quite complex because the more I follow my dream the bigger it is becoming. When I first came to Japan it was just about me. I wanted to be a ninja so I came here. But I am starting to learn how the pursuit of my dream, can impact other lives.

      It’s no longer just about me. It is about showing others that this is possible. I want to show others that if I can do this, so can they.

      • http://www.devacoaching.com Sandi Amorim

        Well, you could look at it as a long way to go or this is how life goes :)

        Maybe it does get more complex when the dream includes others, but it also becomes more compelling!

        • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

          I love what you just said Sandi. EVERY SINGLE WORD! Well put :) .

      • Ellen Berg

        For what it’s worth, I’m working on a separate project where I *just* want to completely reform the way we do education. You know, a tiny thing.

        Bridget Pilloud of IntuitiveBridge.com said something to me that made a lot of sense: “Movements occur out of moments.” Somehow that simple phrase has helped me refocus and let go of the paralysis that comes when we’re tackling big dreams. I don’t have to know how I’m going to get there, I just need to know the next couple of steps. Keep your focus there. Anything else engages the ego and distracts you from what needs to be done.

        • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

          “Movements occur out of moments” That is a line I will be quoting again. I believe this line with all of my heart. It is really powerful when you put it like that.

          I think there is nothing more dangerous than when we get caught up in stroking our egos. I believe the only way to truly give to the world is that we must be willing to step outside of ourselves. We have to get over trying to appear awesome, or great and just step back and give.

          I used to believe that I had to have a perfect idea. Now, I believe the most important thing I can do is take the first step. With every step I can learn new things and adjust along the path.

          Yes, I want to have a sense of where I am trying to go but I would rather move beging to move forward and figure it out along the way rather than spend years sitting on a couch thinking and trying to concoct the perfect plan.

  • http://www.vishnusvirtues.com/ Vishnu

    my favorite line -I tried what society says I should do to be happy, and it didn’t work. and we are all glad you’re writing a new script. only because i can now regularly tell people that I know a ninja in Japan. Oh yeah, this ninja I know told me… people immediately get curious and terrified.

    if everyone followed this advice, everyone would be happier and more fulfilled. and we’d have less people jumping off bridges, being depressed or sad. I had a dream and I took a lot of steps to get started on it – I’m pursuing the dream in small increments – no need to take one huge leap – just need to start!

    looking forward to your follow up on this post Izzy!

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      Yo Vishnu I love the idea that I can actually be scary :) . I’m a 5 foot 9 inch 170 pound dude. I don’t get to scare many people. I’ll take whatever I can get.

      The reason your pursuit is powerful is because you respect the process of following a dream. The people that scare me are the ones who talk about their big massive plans. Talking all day long about the end result is a major problem! It it pointless. Talking big isn’t going to get us where we want to get. It is the process that will get us there.

      This is one of the reason I enjoyed our skype conversation so much. The mass majority of our conversation focused on process. It was definitely a powerful conversation for me. I have some reflections about it that I think are important for you to hear. I will share it after my thoughts are clear. I’ll send you an email in the next few days.

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  • http://www.breakingthehabitofme.com/ Breaking The Habit Of Me

    Hey Izzy,

    Firstly, I think it is really cool that you are going to live until you are 120 ;p

    “I am tired of being fed the lie that I must go to college, get a degree,
    find a secure job, and work 40+ years in a job that slowly sucks the
    life out of me every single day. Does that sound arrogant? Do I sound
    like some ungrateful kid? Do I need to just grow up and accept “that’s
    life”?” – This just nails it.

    Arrogant? – No. Ungrateful? – No. Accept it? – Abso-f’cking-lutely not!

    Alive? – YES. Awake? – YES. Living outside of the Matrix? – YES .

    You definitely took the Red Pill. Kudos!!

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      Keith,
      First and foremost I have to say “WELCOME BACK!” In Japan I would say “Ohisashiburi” which means “long time no see”. Did you forget to set your alarm clock and fall sleep for a month and a half. Both Vishnu and I were wondering where you went. Glad to have you back in the conversation (and to see your writing content on your site again).

      Haha! 120 years old… For now, I am going to focus on being a ninja :) . I’m hoping a positive side effect will be living until I am 120.

      Well, I took the blue pill (that was the other color, right?) initially but then I got stuck in job that left me depressed, anxious, and overwhelmed. I puked out the blue pill and swallowed the red one.

      Not the best of images.

      Welcome back man :) .

  • Benjamin Feldman

    This is one of my favorite posts so far! The video was awesome. “I don’t ever, ever, ever want to go back to a job that sucks the life out of me.” Well said, Izzy. I also loved the follow-up guest post you did at The Hairy Edge. Keep up the good work!

    • http://www.30yearoldninja.com/ Izmael Arkin

      Mr. Feldman, thank you very much man. I’m glad you dug it. Here is the funny thing. This was actually the first half of my guest post for The Hairy Edge but then Ellen (the blogger at Hairy Edge) suggested that we split the post in half (it was like 2000 words) and put the first half on my site (which is this post) and the second half on her site. It was a pretty cool idea on her part.

  • Magu Bee

    Hey Izzy,
    I just got here from LYL, saw you on Scott’s list. I loved all of the stories but yours made me laugh most and here I am!

    I don’t know, maybe it’s because I have a degree in Japanese studies back from uni (that I have not once needed or used in my ‘adult’ ‘professional’ life), maybe because I think being a ninja is straight out awsome.
    Either way, just wanted to say thanks for putting your story out there!

    I’ve had a couple of projects in my head for a long time but one keeps on coming back every once in a while, no matter how hard I tell myself that it’s too big a thing to undertake at the moment. So I stopped thinking why I shouldn’t do it and started setting things into motion that will make me do it. Who knows, maybe the Bee will get the chance to meet the Ninja somewhere in the future?
    After all, getting a belt in martial arts is on my Bucket’s List as well ;)

    Ganbatte, ne~!

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