Finding my Ikigai

Finding my Ikigai

The secret to a long and happy life

Hello All,

It was one other usual day at home gearing up for the weekend, our friend Suresh dropped home with a book in his hand. He told me that he has brought this book for Anoo to read. Anoo enjoys reading virtual books. Out of the usual he had asked Suresh to get the physical copy of this book. My first sight at this book is the Title written “IKIGAI – The Japanese Secret to a long and happy life”. I'm someone who never gets amused by philosophical reading. But this immediately caught my attention and Anoo gave me a glimpse of the book from what he read on his E-book.

It was very casual and I completed the entire book in less than a day. Once I was done, it gave me a really good feeling within. I felt this read is worth a blog for people to get into the secret of a long and happy life which is a need of the hour in our busy lives.

The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesco Miralles is one of the best book today. The authors read that the Ogimi people, a small village in a Japanese island called Okinawa has the most people who have lived much longer than any other region in the world.

Ikigai is at the heart of Okinawan culture and is a key to its health and prosperity. On average, men live up to 84 years and women until 90. Héctor García and Francesc Miralles, lived among Okinawans and gained a first-hand account of why these people are healthier, happier and live longer than anywhere else in the world.

This international bestseller is all about helping you find your Ikigai.

The Japanese word “Ikigai” means ‘a reason to live’ – Purpose of your life. This describes a place of balance where your needs, ambitions, desires, and satisfaction meets. This book says that finding one’s Ikigai is actually very simple. It helps you figure out your own Ikigai and change your life. While reading through the book, the authors have met the centenarians in Okinawa and they articulated few quotes based on the conversations with them. Here are some of the quotes by Okinawa’s centenarians and supercentenarians- “Eat and sleep, and you’ll live a long time. You have to learn to relax.” — Misao Okawa (Age- 117) “Your mind and your body. You keep both busy, you’ll be here a long time.” — Walter Breuning (Age- 114) “Everything’s fine.” — Jeanne Calment (Age- 122)

Here are few rules of Ikigai : • Stay active and don’t retire • Take it slow. • Fill your stomach only 80% • Surround yourself with good friends • Smile more • Get in shape for your next birthday • Reconnect with nature • Live in the moment • Give thanks and appreciate even the smallest of things • Follow your Ikigai

Few of inspirational quotes and take away for us : “Our Ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning.” “There is no future, no past. There is only the present.” “Essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.” “The keys to longevity are diet, exercise, finding a purpose in life (an Ikigai), and forming strong social ties.” “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.”

Keep the fire on! Follow your Ikigai and cultivate love and happiness.

It’s worth the read. Keep reading!