You may recognize the word Ikigai from the best-selling book of the same name written by Francesc Miralles and Hector Garcia. But did you know that it is more than just a book name? Ikigai is an entire philosophy that has now become important to understand.
The world right now is full of people who are moving forward, but they are not moving towards a destination – they are moving forward for the sake of it. Many people do not have the concept of “life’s purpose” and they believe that everyone on this earth is here to live and then leave.
What is Ikigai?
Recently studies are being conducted to crack the code regarding the population’s longevity. That is where they discovered the world Ikigai – pronounced Ee-kee-guy – this is a philosophy that is said to be the reason behind the longevity of the population.
The word Ikigai comes from 2 words, ‘Iki’ which means life, and ‘Gai’, which means purpose. It is said that three things contribute to living a long and healthy life which include mental health, physical health, and a life purpose.
Michiko Kumano, a Japanese psychologist, stated that Ikigai is the comfort one would get when they indulge in activities that they enjoy and find fulfillment in.
Finding Fulfillment
When it comes to well-being, people generally consider materialistic things like a house, money, and status – but it is not a secret that things do not matter when you are seeking satisfaction. While they might provide temporary happiness, you’d want to keep upgrading. The concept of Ikigai focuses on deriving fulfillment out of random acts of kindness, as well as your family and friends.
To unlock the secret of Ikigai, you’d have to stop doing things that you don’t enjoy and start doing things that you do enjoy. It could mean you switching your high-paying job for a low-paying one as long as you prioritize your happiness.
In Essence
Most people might not have unlocked their potential but everyone has an Ikigai that is just waiting to be explored. It could be a particular talent or something they are passionate about but refuse to go through with it. In order to move forward, you must keep one thing in mind: the road to pursue Ikigai is not an easy one, it is going to require patience and effort.
It’s time to live life on your own terms…