On the island of Okinawa, Japan, there\u2019s a common sentiment that guides its inhabitants: the long and pleasurable journey of living a fulfilling life. Known as one of the Blue Zones, Okinawa, which has the world\u2019s most centenarians, is an island that\u2019s characterised by its healthy, happy and fulfilled residents. Among their plant-rich diets, moderate exercise and sense of community, there\u2019s one strong tie that binds them \u2014 a deep sense of purpose and the very reason for their being.
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Translated as the reason for being, as iki means life and gai translates roughly to the realisation of hope, ikigai is an active verb that can also be translated as \u201cto serve, to create, to delight and to nourish\u201d. The Japanese believe that ikigai is a universal human experience, which, interestingly, is incredibly unique for us all. \u201cOur ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we all have in common is that we are all searching for meaning,\u201d write H\u00e9ctor Garc\u00eda and Francesc Miralles, authors of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. \u201cWhen we spend our days feeling connected to what is meaningful to us, we live more fully; when we lose the connection, we feel despair.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simply put, ikigai is defined as our reason for getting out of bed in the morning. It\u2019s characterised by what brings our lives purpose and joy. So, how can you pinpoint it within yourself? Observe what captures your attention and what you\u2019re most passionate about.
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It\u2019s one thing to be told to follow our purpose, and it\u2019s quite another to identify it in ourselves. H\u00e9ctor and Francesc say that rather than feeling overwhelmed by the quest, we should keep it incredibly simple: all we need to do is be led by our curiosity. \u201cOur intuition and curiosity are very powerful internal compasses to help us connect with our ikigai,\u201d they write. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no perfect strategy to connecting with our ikigai. The Okinawans express the importance of not worrying too deeply about trying to uncover our ikigai. So, rather than trying to identify it on a rational level, they recommend uncovering it on an intuitive one. \u201cLife is not a problem to be solved,\u201d write H\u00e9ctor and Francesc. And once we\u2019ve identified our unique reasons for being, it\u2019s important to pursue and nurture them, which brings flow and balance into the everyday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The very essence of ikigai is rooted in being,\u00a0which serves as a gentle and timely reminder that being present doing what we love, while being surrounded by the people that we love, is the very expression of ikigai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n