Source: Ikegai
Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means your 'reason for being.'
'Iki' in Japanese means 'life,' and 'gai' describes value or worth. Your ikigai is your life purpose or your bliss. It's what brings you joy and inspires you to get out of bed every day.
Ogimi, A rural town in Japan with a population of 3000, boasts highest life expectancy in world earning the nick name – The Village of Longevity. The ten rules of ikegai.
10 ten rules of ikigai are taken from the wisdom of these long-living residents. You could interpret the rules as the lifestyle habits that enable the senior residents of Ogami to live long and enjoy their ikigai.
A question you can ask yourself is," What rules can I easily implement that will help me with my day to day life?"
Ten Rules of Ikegai
1. Stay active; don't retire.
"Those who give up the things they love doing and do well lose their purpose in life." That's why it's so important to keep doing things of value and of passion even after your professional retirement
2. Take it slow.
As the old saying goes, "Walk slowly and you'll go far."
If you are in a hurry it incites that you are not in control and under stress. By taking things slow it means you are more mindful of your decisions, in control and more often than not doing the things you want to do
3. Don't fill your stomach.
"Hara hachi bun me ni isha irazu"
This Japanese proverb translates to 'Eating to only 80% full keeps the doctors away'. You mostly hear Japanese just say 'hara hachi bu" towards the end or on completion of eating a meal to indicate they feel almost full.
4. Surround yourself with good friends.
"Friends are the best medicine, there for confiding worries over a good chat, sharing stories that brighten your day, getting advice, having fun, dreaming . . . in other words, living."
Without relationships and friendships, we can't experience connection, intimacy or love, nor can we share our joys, hopes, struggles, and fears.Instead of looking through a social media feed, call an old friend and make a date to catch up.
5. Get in shape for your next birthday.
"Water moves; it is at its best when it flows fresh and doesn't stagnate. The body you move through in life needs a bit of daily maintenance to keep it running for a long time. Plus, exercise releases hormones that make us feel happy."
6. Smile
"A cheerful attitude is not only relaxing – it also helps make friends. It's good to recognize the things that aren't so great, but we should never forget what a privilege it is to be in the here and now in a world so full of possibilities."
7. Reconnect with nature
Though most people live in cities these days, human beings are made to be part of the natural world. We should return to it often to recharge our batteries.
Shinrin-yoku. It translates to 'forest bathing' and means connecting with nature using the five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. It is a mindfulness practice to help you reconnect with nature so that you can rejuvenate the body and give the mind a moment of peace."
8.Give thanks
"To your ancestors, to nature, which provides you with the air you breathe and the food you eat, to your friends and family, to everything that brightens your days and makes you feel lucky to be alive. Spend a moment every day giving thanks, and you'll watch your stockpile of happiness grow."
9. Live in the moment
"Stop regretting the past and fearing the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering."
"The present moment is all you ever have. There is never a time when your life is not 'this moment.' Is this not a fact?"
– Eckhart Tolle
10. Follow your ikigai
"There is a passion inside you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to share the best of yourself until the very end. If you don't know what your ikigai is yet, your mission is to discover it."
Keep in mind these aren't rules that you must follow in order to achieve ikigai, but suggestions or habits you could adopt to improve your health and well being so you can discover and live your Ikigai.
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