Purpose of Life - IKIGAI

I read this book titled 'Ikigai', most of you must have read or heard about since it has quickly crept its way into being a bestseller. The book is about the Japanese way of beautiful living, on a small island called Okinawa. Their theory is 'LIVE LIFE WORTHWHILE’. Bring meaning and joy to every day.

In this small Island, people live till the age of 90 years and above - ‘Happy’ and ‘Content’ as they have found their purpose of living.

They believe that there is a passion inside all of us, a unique talent that gives meaning to our days- from the time you get up in the morning until you retire in the evening, there should be a feeling of contentment.

There is a very vast difference between Happiness and Fulfillment. Happiness can be derived from the smallest things in our life like enjoying a well-brewed aromatic coffee, breathing the fresh air in the morning or maybe even just the possession of material things. The point is that there is no harm in achieving and enjoying all of the above but there may still be a lack of fulfillment - of something that makes us complete from within. The kind of happiness that can pull us through, for years to come. The kind which completes us; which will wake us up every day with passion and reason to jump out of bed daily…almost as if there was a ‘fire in the belly’.

When one begins to give meaning to their life, they live to the fullest but if they do not, then they can always feel despair. We need to find our passion, our ‘Purpose of Life’, Our ‘Ikigai. If you don’t know what your Ikigai is yet, the mission is to find one and discover it. Our Ikigai is hidden deep inside each and every one of us, and it is different for every human being. Let’s give ourselves a chance to find one, for it requires patience. But after having discovered it, it is important to nurture and pursue it every day until it starts to give a fulfilled meaning to life. Once you have found your ‘Ikigai’, enjoy the entire process of its growth, nothing should become too serious that it becomes a stress, a pressure. Enjoy every moment of its growth.

WHATEVER MAY COME, PURSUE YOUR IKIGAI EVERY DAY

When you sow a seed, it takes time for it to bloom into a beautiful tree, yielding happy flowers and fruits. So, whatever the purpose of your life maybe; sow it, nurture it every day until it becomes a beautiful tree of your passion, your true love, which gives you a feeling of FULFILLMENT.

My thoughts for when you are working on your ‘Ikigai’ - perceive and cultivate with ‘Simplicity’ and pay ‘Attention to details’. Become the person you have always dreamed about. And live forever with Happiness.

How to find our Ikigai? …to be Contd.