I’ve been intensely struggling with the hectic way of the western world. Which is not normal for me once I can get my hands in the dirt and grow things.
So, as I tend to do when I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, I slow myself down and remember to pay attention. Because I know the way through will appear when I do.
I always get a chuckle out of the synchronicity of what does show up.
Li Ziqi was one of the recommended videos I saw while uploading videos to a client’s website. I’m totally smitten. I want to live on her farm.
In this one, she whips out a living room furniture set in bamboo. Many of her others are about growing and preparing food. Just amazing.
On that same day, I stumbled across this article on Ikigai from CNBC contributor Ken Mogi. It means “a sense of purpose, meaning, and motivation in life.” Here’s an excerpt:
The Health Benefits of Ikigai
For years, researchers have tried to find the reasons to a long and healthy life. While the answer is likely a mix of good genes, diet and exercise, studies have suggested that finding meaning in life is a key component.
In a 2008 study from Tohoku University, researchers analyzed data from more than 50,000 participants (ages 40 to 79) and found that those who reported having ikigai in their lives had reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases and lower mortality rates. Put another way, 95% of respondents who had ikigai were still alive seven years after the initial survey compared to the 83% who didn’t.
It’s impossible to tell whether ikigai guarantees longevity in life through this single study, but the findings suggest that having a sense of purpose can encourage you to build a happy and active life.
Finding Your Inner Ikigai
There’s no single way to find your ikigai, but you can start by asking a few simple questions: What makes you happy? What are you good at? What (and who) do you value? What motivates you to get up in the morning?
Finding your ikigai will take time. The secret, I often tell people, is to learn the five core pillars of ikigai (which I discuss in my book, “Awakening Your Ikigai”). By applying these pillars to your life, you can allow your inner ikigai to flourish.
1. Starting small
Starting small and executing every step with care is the very ethos of this pillar — and it applies to everything you do in life. Artisanal farmers, for example, devote all their time and effort into creating the best and tastiest produce.
They get the soil right. They prune and water their produce with care. They sense of starting small propels them to go incredible lengths.
2. Releasing yourself
When you release yourself, you’re able to let go of your obsessions and see things that matter to you in a more clear and positive light.
Practicing self-acceptance is vital to this pillar — and yet, it’s also one of the most difficult tasks we face in our lives. But if you can overcome this obstacle and be happy with who you are, it can be an incredibly rewarding experience.
3. Harmony and sustainability
You can’t achieve your most important goals if you’re constantly in conflict with the people around you. Having a sense of community gives you the support and motivation to live the life you want.
4. The joy of small things
Finding joy in the small things — the morning air, a cup of coffee or the ray of sunshine — should be part of what motivates you to get up each morning.
In high school, I would take the same 6:20 a.m. train to class every day. The sight the same familiar faces enjoying a game of shogi (Japanese chess) brought me immense joy.
5. Being in the here and now
This fifth pillar is perhaps the most profound. To be in the here and now, it’s important to focus on the present and practice mindfulness every day.
Many sumo wrestlers testify that being in the here and now is absolutely necessary in preparing for and fighting in a bout. They claim that immersing themselves in the present helps sustain their state of mind for optimum performance.
Just what the doctor ordered. Not a bad return for a few moments of paying attention.