Ikigai
(ee-kee-guy)
As I look back on life, the most successful, positive, and long-lasting personal change happens in conjunction with a dive into deeper and profound understanding of self. The extreme highs and lows of life teach us a lot about who we are. They show us the grit it takes to move through our lows, as well as the grace when we are on top. However, it is what we do through the neutral zones that can really define us and show us the most about our inner passions and desires.
I recently saw an article in a local newsletter that led me to an interesting construct. Ikigai is a Japanese concept that essentially helps in finding your purpose in life and just might be the secret you are looking for. This beautiful word only exists in the Japanese language. Combining the Japanese words iki, meaning life, and gai, meaning worth or value, the connected meaning strives to balance the spiritual with the practical, a life worth living. It can also be translated as “a reason for being” – basically, the thing that excites you and gets you out of bed in the morning. The concept encourages self-discovery, living in the moment, and teaches the perspective of ‘acceptance of what is.” Wouldn’t we all like to know that!
Living a life of meaning vs. enjoying a lifestyle that comes along with money, seems to be a disconnect people struggle with. Conflicting desires create frustration. Believing that money alone leads to fulfilment is a mistake by those who also believe that when they accumulate money, then they naturally make an impact on the world. It is easy to fall victim in thinking that our job, family, passions, and desires are separate aspects of our lives. The fundamental truth in Ikigai is that everything is connected, and is continuously evolving to bring joy, delight, and your reason for being fully to each and every day.
To discover your Ikigai, you must first discover what you are passionate about.
The Venn diagram associated with Ikigai is What you love +What are you good at +What the world needs +What you can be paid for. The connecting point of what you love and are good at is your passion. The connecting point of what you love and what the world needs is your mission. The connecting point of what you can get paid for is your vocation. The connecting point of what you are good at and what you can get paid for is your profession.
Focusing on these connecting points helps you work your way to the center. Write three answers for each point and plug them into the circle diagram. Finding your center, passion and motivation is enlightening. It has been described as a treasure map to help you find your way to discovering wonderful things about yourself that you can share with the world. Within the center “sweet spot” of the diagram you will discover a connection between your talents and passions to share and earn a living while not feeling like it is work.
I hope this short introduction of a lifelong pursuit sparks your interest enough to look up the lengthy and interesting explanation. Just like many techniques from other countries, the translation and much of the information has been Westernized. Nonetheless, the charts and diagrams can be helpful to finding your “sweet spot” and your joy, especially in a month like September where big change is not only possible but inevitable!
Love to All,
Cindi
Box A happy man is too satisfied with the present to dwell on the future.
Hector Garcia Puigcerver, Author
‘The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life’
by Garcia and Miralles
