How to Read “If you’re not there, go out and meet”
Izuba deae
Meaning of “If you’re not there, go out and meet”
“If you’re not there, go out and meet” is a proverb that teaches us a simple truth. Just waiting around won’t bring opportunities to you. Good encounters and results come only through action.
This proverb shows that staying still at home or work won’t create new connections. You won’t stumble upon chances by sitting in one place.
Good opportunities don’t come to you on their own. You have to go outside and actively move around to find them. That’s the core idea here.
People use this saying to encourage someone who’s being too passive. It works well when someone is waiting for opportunities instead of creating them.
It’s perfect advice for job hunting, dating, or discovering new hobbies. When someone wants something but can’t seem to start moving, this proverb gives them a push.
The essence of these words hasn’t changed in modern times. We live in an age where information comes easily through the internet.
But that’s exactly why actually going places, meeting people, and gaining experience matters more than ever. When you take action, you discover wonderful encounters and opportunities you never expected.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records explain where “If you’re not there, go out and meet” came from. However, we can learn interesting things by looking at how the phrase is built.
“Izuba” combines the verb “iru” (to be/stay) with the negative “zu” and conditional “ba.” Together they mean “if you’re not staying” or “if you’re not sitting still.”
“Deae” is the command form of “deau” (to meet/encounter). So grammatically, the phrase means “If you’re not sitting still, go meet.”
Traditional Japanese social views likely shaped this saying. Before the Edo period, most people spent their entire lives in their birthplace.
But merchants, craftsmen, and traveling monks also existed. These people actively went out and gained experience. Their example probably crystallized into this wisdom about how movement creates new opportunities.
The word “encounter” in this phrase carries special meaning. It refers to meeting people, finding opportunities, and discovering fate.
Japanese culture values the concept of “en” (connection or fate). But this proverb teaches that such connections won’t come by waiting. You must move to create those bonds.
Usage Examples
- I wasn’t sure about going to the matchmaking party, but I decided to attend thinking “If you’re not there, go out and meet”
- Sales work requires the spirit of “If you’re not there, go out and meet” – you can’t close deals just by staying in the office
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “If you’re not there, go out and meet” contains deep truth about human growth and happiness.
Humans naturally want to stay in safe, comfortable places. Familiar environments, predictable routines, risk-free choices – these give us peace of mind.
But humans also have another desire. We want to grow, discover new things, and live better lives. We constantly swing between these two opposing urges.
This proverb has survived through generations because it understands human nature. It recognizes both the comfort of staying in our safe zone and the stagnation that comes from never leaving.
Our ancestors learned through experience that truly valuable things won’t come to those who wait.
What’s interesting is that this proverb uses the word “encounter.” It doesn’t say “success” or “achievement” – it says “encounter.”
This reveals an insight: life’s most precious things aren’t obtained through planning. They’re discovered by chance while taking action.
New friends, unexpected opportunities, talents you didn’t know you had – you can only encounter these by moving forward.
When AI Hears This
Sociologist Granovetter discovered something surprising in 1973. He studied where people got the most useful job information.
The answer wasn’t close friends or family. Information from casual acquaintances proved overwhelmingly more helpful. Specifically, about 83% of successful job changers got their information from “weak ties” – distant relationships.
Why does this happen? The answer lies in network structure. Close friends live in the same information sphere.
People you see daily watch the same news, visit the same places, and think similarly. Their information overlaps with yours.
But people you rarely see live in completely different worlds. They connect to different industries, regions, and hobby groups.
Staying in your comfort zone means surrounding yourself with similar people. This feels nice, but new information doesn’t flow in.
Step outside, though, and you meet people you normally wouldn’t encounter. These people become bridges to worlds you don’t know.
“If you’re not there, go out and meet” teaches that statistically valuable encounters exist outside your comfort zone. The discomfort of leaving familiar environments is actually the admission price to new opportunities.
Lessons for Today
“If you’re not there, go out and meet” teaches modern people something important. In the digital age, real-world action holds tremendous value.
Smartphones give us access to worldwide information. Social media connects us to many people. We easily fall into the illusion that we can do everything from home.
But interaction through screens differs completely from meeting face-to-face. Information found online and knowledge gained through on-site experience have vastly different depths.
If you want to start something new right now, take that first step. You don’t need to wait for perfect preparation.
Attend an event that interests you. Visit a place you’re curious about. Contact someone you want to meet. Small actions work fine.
What matters is moving without fearing failure. Not every action leads to success, but nothing begins without movement.
Wonderful encounters you never imagined wait for you beyond that first step. Today might become the beginning of a new encounter.
Comments