…ikigai [ee-kee-guy] is what brings you joy in your daily life. It’s not something you need to find, but rather something you already have. Knowing how to see it allows you to enjoy what you do rather than chase what you think you might enjoy.
In Japan, only 31% of people consider their job their ikigai. The others chose friends, family, hobbies, and even pets. It’s not about money — it’s what matters to you. One of the happiest people I met in Japan was a postman. It’s not necessarily a prestigious job, but he loved every moment of his day. He wandered around town delivering mail and stopping to chat with his friends and taking in the life of the city. In the evenings, he shared dinner with his family before karate training with his buddies.
….
Being mindful of my ikigai is not letting the good slip through my fingers because I’m too busy reaching for perfect.The world likely won’t be “normal” for a while. I’m choosing to pay attention to what still lights up my day.
—Amardeep Parmar
What lights up your day?
January 31, 2021
Without a doubt, my family – two and four legged:)
Yes, you have plenty of things to love. ♥
wow. as the old Golden Girls … Dorothy’s mom goes… “it’s just good to wake up in the morning!” that’s first. I’m grateful always for that and I say it out loud.
then… so many things… a lovely hot shower…. a first cup of coffee….
the smell of cinnamon! … this computer that I love… and my friends like You in it!… lunch with my beloved brother…
So Many lights throughout my day! maybe they’re too unimportant to write about here. but they all add up to just make me very Happy! XO
The point of ikigai is they don’t have to be “important”. That’s a hangup we Americans have.
I used to strive for a goal and at times I still dream I will get there…but this last year (possibly other years) taught me that “it doesn’t matter”
Whatever happens when I wake in the morning, if there isn’t anything on my schedule, I will consider what I might do…
That hasn’t been easy for near on 3 months but last week when I got back from a trip around town, I said to myself. Well this is a 3-day weekend and most people will motor off to the beach, the park or something else (summertime) but I thought “that’s not me…I think I will gather those PhD’s (projects half done) and see where it leads me”.
And if it gets too sticky and hot, I will turn on the newly installed aircon … and it will feel just right indoors
It’s leading me and I’m very happy 🙂
Yes!!! And that air conditioning makes all the difference. We can have our own little heaven at home. 🙂
I totally agree!! Seems like it will be like this for quite some time, and we should never wish time to pass by!
Yes!! 🙂
I love this post!!!! For 9 years after retiring from my classroom, I supervised student teachers for two universities. On our last day together each semester, I always told each of them: Always find the JOY in whom you teach and in what you teach, and if you do everything else will fall into place.” I also told them that if they lost the joy, it was time to move on to something else because life is too short doing something you don’t want to do. I was in education for 40 1/2 years and I am so thankful for my career. These days what lights up my day the most are my two grandchildren. Although they are teens now and don’t really need me as much as when they were younger, every moment with them is precious. When this Covid mess is over (please!!!), I hope hubby and I will make it a plan to go on some new adventures. I need some!!!
Where would you like to go? What’s your idea of an ideal adventure? For some reason this reminds me of a cartoon I saw years ago. A gal was saying, “When I retire I’m going to watch travel videos.” She was so cheerful and happy that I still remember her. She clearly knew how to enjoy life, much more than a lot of people with more money.
The morning sun, the starry nights!
In all seriousness tho, I’d have to say it’s not just one thing…it changes for me daily! So, I guess I’d say life & living. Taking the joys & rough spots to learn life.
I love it! ♥
this is so true and i agree with it 100 percent. my Ikigai is all that I do every day. at home, Beau is top of the list, the fact he is Bobs Ikigai also, makes me even happier.. creating my blog, reading others, emailing with friends, reading my kindle, i love it all. we have done better than most with the lockdown because we like being home… i can name 10 people that would be really sad with our lives..
about the handy man comment. do you have a maintenace man to call when things break? if so, you could ask him if there is someone to take your things down the step. my son was mainteance man for years in a seniors only condo building. the did things like that. we could not remove those items either
Thanks for the suggestion…we tried that a couple of years ago. The management said yes but it never happened, so we waited until Kaitlin and Torben came for a visit. We’ll probably be patient and do that again…they may be able to come in August, we’ll see. Or maybe the mess on the porch will grow bad enough that the management will complain and be willing to help? Too funny. 😀
Andy and I are lucky like you, we haven’t been affected much by COVID. ♥
Well I’m not quite sure exactly what my Ikigai is but I do know that striving for perfection is a losing battle. I suppose what brings me the most joy right now is my job and some of the people, my crafting and my blog friends.
I agree, scratch the idea of perfection! It’s a blessing to enjoy the little joys of everyday life. ♥
I love this so much! Had I learned ikigai years ago I might have saved myself stress and heartache. Yet, I feared the idea of retirement. Oh dear, what lies I told myself.
‘Realized just a little bit ago, (my) ikigai is savoring a cup of strong coffee before a (faux) roaring fireplace while the pups compete for a space on my lap. Visiting friends on-line, without worry how my hair looks or what I’m wearing. Splendidly imperfect, life is good!
“Splendidly imperfect, life is good!” Amen to that! ♥
All the bloggers who share their wit and wisdom with me.
My Dave who takes such good care of me.
This supportive community in which we live.
Things and money I can afford to donate to those less fortunate than I am now and the fact that I am one of the fortunate.
Amen to that! ♥
This morn I saw this on my phone but did not want to try to comment because I hate typing anything other than short comments on it. Now I cannot remember all I wanted to say…there are so many things that brighten my day. And it varies from day to day.
It is always a relief to get up in the morning and find all is still ‘well’ with Roger. I love hearing from the kids, though I don’t every day. Love hearing what the animals are up to….such as Copper and the snowman mentioned in today’s post….that just cracks me up.
I love actually accomplishing tasks during the day….if I find something to get rid of…that makes me happy. I love having time to sew. I have really been trying to sew every day.
I like visiting blogs throughout the day…..I like to watch youtube videos…mostly about quilting but other stuff always pops up.
And lets not forget reading. I don’t read as many books as I used to, but I still feel naked if I am not at least reading a bit every day.
We always say any day we see an eagle is a great day. But then so is seeing turkeys, deer, etc. Since Roger does not enjoy getting out as much as we used to, we sure don’t see as many.
Then there is the saying: Choose a job you love, then you will never have to work a day in your life.
That’s ideal, to be aware of all the good things in our lives. It reminds me of this Alan Watts quote:
It also reminds me of,
We are so lucky.
This video made my day. I watched it several times and have shown it to Judy. Thanks for sharing.
🙂 I’m glad you liked it too.
That video was for the birds — yeah, I know, corny — but I have a weird sense of humor. I did enjoy seeing how connected the two of them are and find it intriguing. Wonder if when the bird was hatched it imprinted on a human and what that person was like?
My work, whenever I was encountering new experiences and/or people was always my ikigai for those hours of the day. I think over the years my ikigai has varied since in my off time it once was acting, directing, producing in Little Theatre. Other times auto travel, active time in nature including Nat’l Parks. Living alone now as I have for over a decade, then retired some years ago, having dwindling numbers of living family and friends, my ikigai is contact with those still alive, though we lives miles apart. The days when no contact with others my ikigai is knowing I can do whatever gives me pleasure which varies — reading, writing, viewing select video, listening to music, having time to daydream, indulging my news junkie tendencies, also finding the humor in life.
I think it’s great to have a variety of things, especially things we can do alone in these pandemic times. They are great resources.