by Sydney Ricks, VPG Data Analyst
Ikigai is a philosophy for life that says we should prioritize our sense of purpose and live life with intentionality. Physical components like diet and fitness, as well as mental components like meditation and keeping our brain active, play a significant role in achieving Ikigai.
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life encourages us to embrace the present moments, engage in gentle movements, and find fulfillment in our daily lives. I had never heard of Ikigai before, but its promise of uncovering joy and purpose appealed to me deeply. My life is filled with uncertainty and sometimes insecurity, and after this read, I am reminded to go with the flow at my own pace and practice discipline. At first glance, Ikigai seems like a simple concept, but it is profound and not so easy to cultivate.
Some key lessons I enjoyed learning from this book:
Harness “microflow” - even Bill Gates claims to enjoy washing his own dishes. A sequence of movements, however mundane and boring they may be, helps to keep a clear mind and turn chores and other routine tasks into periods of relaxation. Might as well since they need to get done!
Cave Dwellers vs. Us Modern Humans – stress is what kept us alive, and now stress can be perceived by just “the ping of a cell phone or email notification” - and is accused of killing longevity. A little stress, of course, is healthy, but we must be mindful of what we allow to cause us stress.
The famous Venn-diagram – Ikigai is the intersection of your passion, mission, profession, and vocation. It’s crazy to think about how your career and life goals can be depicted in a classic visual such as this. The goal is to aim for the center, as this will bring your life balance and meaning.
I hope to find and be satisfied with my reason for being – as it’s what you devote your life to. Thank you, Ashley, for recommending this book!
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