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Interview: Nobuo Uematsu
All translations have been edited by the webmistress to correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and paragraphs added to break up blocks of text.
The other day, I received mail from DigiCube asking me to answer some survey questions for the soundtrack. I was able to answer all the questions immediately, but when I reached the question, "When do you feel the happiest?" I answered, "Always." But after I answered, I began to think seriously about that question. In the past several years, I have not thought of myself as unhappy. It may be coincidental that these past few years have been the best years of my life. But I am only human and so there have been times of hardship, anger, and sorrow. Even a middle-aged man like me has his share of worries.
But for every bad moment, there are good times, as well. I don't think this is unique to me; I think this applies to everyone. Money may be tight but the kids are still adorable. You may get fired from your job but now you'll have more free time. You may get divorced by that means there's a chance for new love. You may not do well on a test, but soccer is still fun...
Every one of us gains new life experiences each day. We are all equal in this way. There is no happiness or unhappiness associated with it; it just happens. We are the ones giving meaning to it. The definition we give it is what makes our reality, isn't it? There may only be on truth but there are as many realities as there are people in this world. Those who analyze in negative ways only arrive at unhappy truths. As long as one continues to think unhappy thoughts, those thoughts will never disappear. Even though the thoughts may want to disappear, we ourselves are the ones who cling to it. It is necessary to take the initiative to cut all ties with unhappiness and to think in a manner that will allow anything to happen. This could be a way to gain happiness.
With regards to my work, I was open to letting anything happen. And as I had predicted, everything happened. My exhausted body is living proof but it was a lot of fun. To concentrate on one thing is a way for me to attain happiness.
January 6, 1999
Nobuo Uematsu
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