The Japanese concept for "A reason for being''!
It's no secret that Japanese culture is one of the most healthy and rewarding. The secret to this success comes down to one word: ikigai ( pronounced ee - kee - gai ). Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means living with meaning, purpose and joy in your daily life. In this article, I'll explain what it means, how it can help our lives a more fulfilled life and where we can start working on building our own ikigai .
It is said that the longest-lived and some of the happiest people in the world. They have a low incidence of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. They also have a high life expectancy and low infant mortality rate.
According to the World Health Organization, no single factor can explain why these countries have such a low rate of chronic disease. However, their diets are high in fruits and vegetables.
The Japanese concept ▸ for " a reason for being. " In the Japanese context, ikigai is a concept that has been around for centuries. It's not just about finding a job or career; it's about finding your reason for being in this world. There are many variations on the original meaning of this word and how it can be interpreted :
• The word " ikigai " itself means " a reason for being. " This may seem obvious when you think about it but what does it mean? The answer lies. with how we choose our careers and lives as they relate to others ( or not ).
• Once again, let me illustrate with an example: A couple of years ago I was asked by my friend who had recently lost her husband why she hadn't remarried yet after losing him so suddenly and unexpectedly ( he died due to an illness ). Her response was simple: " I don't want another person's life anymore; I only want mine. "
While one's ikigai is highly personal, four common themes apply to everyone.
• You have a passion for something you do. For example, if you enjoy writing and reading, then your work will reflect this. If your passion is cooking or gardening, then it will show in the quality of food produced at home and what grows there ( or even how much time is spent on these activities ).
• Your ikigai helps fulfill an important need for self-esteem and often gives meaning to life itself! For example: if someone has no idea why they wake up every morning but knows they have somewhere they must go before going back to sleep again or if someone feels as though their purpose in life lies within helping others around them without expecting anything. return their ikigai may be found through volunteering at an organization dedicated to helping those less fortunate than themselves.
To find your ikigai think about what you are good at and enjoy doing. Then ask yourself: " What am I passionate about? What makes me feel energized? What makes me happy? " Once you have an answer to each of these questions, take a moment to reflect on how they apply to your life as a whole.
As we've seen, the Japanese have their way of thinking about life. It's a good thing they do - because if you think like a Japanese person and act like one, you'll live longer, happier lives!
It all boils down to feeling grateful and content and making the most of what you have. That is how I view the world and I think ikigai is like that too. Being grateful makes you happy and happiness helps a lot in doing what you are passionate about.