What make you get up early? What make you enthusiastic
about today? The Japanese have long defined about a concept of living with
purpose called ‘Ikigai’ which means the reason to get up in the morning1.
When someone has such a purpose and meaning of facing the daily life, he has
such an Ikigai. The term ikigai is composed of two Japanese words : ‘iki’
refers to ‘life’, while ‘kai’ refers to ‘realisation of what one expects and
hopes for’2. Ikigai is believed as the Japanese secret to a long and
happy life. Moreover, the Japanese also believes that everyone has ikigai
within himself. Hence, you must have it, all you need to do is revealing what
might be hidden. You might undergo such a self-discovery.
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| Pic source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai |
According to the Japanese, there are four primary
interrelated elements : things that you love (passion), things the world needs
(mission), things that you are good at (vocation), and things that you can be paid
for (profession). If you lack in one element, you can’t maximize your life’s
potency.
So, how to find your Ikigai?
1.
Seek within self what really
matter
You are the captain of your life. But sometimes, you live on ‘autopilot’,
the state which you are living life like being a zombie : distracted, partially
aware, and missing the moment. The
situation which may be seen as ‘routinity’. To create your ikigai, take time to
contemplate about what really matter for you and what values you are holding on
tightly in life. A way to seek within self is asking. Keep asking your self. What
is your job? Why do you work? Do you feel good on it? Will it make difference
for other people? Dig a little deeper and deeper. Keep asking until you find
what really drive you.
2.
Know what you can do to others
Never been anything better than the feeling that we can help those
in need, you can start from asking yourself : what good deeds you are able to
do today. Make an attempt to be the reason that someone be uplifted. Be more altruistic
toward others.
3.
Count your blessings,
appreciate any achievement
Everyone is special and so are you. No matter how small an
achievement is, it can be a clue about what you are good at and what you like
to do. Try to remember any achievement or acknowledgement that you acquire
during your life so far.
4.
Write down
Once you have reflected about what really matter in life, take a
note and write down about those four elements of Ikigai. What things that you
are willing to do them like someone falling in love? What are your
contributions to other people? What make you above average? What are your
talents and abilities? What things that can make you be paid?
5.
Relate one another
Passion is the combination between things which you are good at and
things which you love. Mission is the combination between things which you love
and things which the world needs. Vocation is the combination between things
which the world needs and things which you can be paid for. While profession is
the combination between things which you can be paid for and things which you
are good at. Relate what you have listed to one interconnecting circle and your
Ikigai is in the middle of the circle.
At last, physical
health alone is not enough. You need mental resilience and Ikigai will nurture
your vigorous soul. Cited from Kyosei Consulting3, research in Japan
has elaborated that a lack of Ikigai is ‘related with poor general health,
increased risk of intellectual dysfunction, and increased mortality in older
people’. Further more, the Kyosei stated that similar research in the west had
discovered the connection between significant health benefits for people at any
age and having a sense of purpose and meaning.
Now, can you
imagine waking up in the morning feeling so energized because you will do
something beneficial that you love, you are paid for that and you have a flair
on it? If you do, congratulation! You are living your life truly worthwhile.
But, if you haven’t felt that way yet, find your Ikigai that will lead you to
get a second bite at the cherry!
Ikigai is your
personal experience. Discover your own and live your life to the fullest.
Cheers!
Reference :
1.
http://www.theviewinsideme/what-is-your-ikigai/
2. http://upliftconnect.com/ikigai-finding-your-reason-for-being/
3. http://kyoseiconsulting.com/ikigai-and-aging-well/
Have you read it? Generasi Langgas?
ReplyDeletei haven't read the book, just heard about the title. Is it an interesting book? :)
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