Sometimes we feel less passionate, unenthusiastic, and lazy. Often we also feel bored, tired, and feeling uncertain when going through our daily routines. As a human being, it's natural to occasionally feel this way. However, if this condition persists, it will obviously interfere with your daily life.
Then, how to improve everything so that life feels more meaningful? Have you ever heard the term Ikigai? Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a term from the Japanese language to describe the pleasures and meaning of life. Literally, the word Ikigai comes from the word " iki " which means life and " gai " which means value, so Ikigai can be interpreted as the reason we live, live life starting from getting up in the morning. Ikigai can be one of the answers to make your life meaningful by understanding the concept. What is Ikigai? Ikigai, is the secret of the Japanese to live happily every day. The term ikigai itself comes from Japanese philosophy with iki meaning life and gai which is also defined as value or meaning. This principle of life has long been applied by Japanese society since the Heian period (794 – 1185). As stated by neurologist and author of The Little Book of Ikigai, Ken Mogi, ikigai is described as the concept of seeking meaning in life through a clear purpose in life. The term ikigai is often used to describe the idea of happiness in life amidst the pressures of study and work. Ikigai as a Japanese concept that describes life purpose or the meaning of life is often expressed as a person's reason to get up every day. In his book, The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longest, Beuttner mentions that the main reason why Okinawan people live long is ikigai. Older people in Okinawa feel that they are important because they have an important social role in their environment. Everything comes from the determination to live the purpose of life to be able to continue to be useful for society.Ikigai Concept
The concept of Ikigai has been lived by most Japanese people. Japanese people believe that by cultivating Ikigai in life, they will increasingly find meaning in life and this makes most Japanese people have a high life expectancy. It is proven that Japan is the second country with a high life expectancy after Monaco. The reason someone gets up in the morning isn't always a big deal. Sometimes from small and simple things, we find the meaning of happiness. For example, enjoying the sunrise, drinking warm bitter coffee, cooking food to eat with the family, or other simple things that we don't realize can make this heart excited and happy while doing it. Someone who practices Ikigai will know why they have to get up early, have to strive for something, and they have hope. If we live without knowing Ikigai, life will feel lonely without meaning.How to Find Ikigai
For those of you who want to try to apply the concept of Ikigai, you must be curious about how to find Ikigai in life. Basically, Ikigai is an intersection of four elements, namely Passion, Mission, Vocation, and Profession. In finding Ikigai, the most important thing is to balance the four elements to complement each other in forming a sustainable living goal. If these four aspects are combined it will form a diagram as follows. [caption id="attachment_333" align="aligncenter" width="701"]
What Is Ikigai And Ikigai Concept[/caption]
These four aspects must complement each other. If you only find a few, you cannot say that you have found the Ikigai way of life. If we can unite these four elements, then we will find the meaning of Ikigai which can make life more meaningful.
Passion: What You Love
Passion can be interpreted as something that we enjoy. Something that makes us passionate about doing it and feel happy when doing it, for example a hobby or personal pleasure.Mission: What the World Need
Missions are things that are needed by the environment around us. Maybe it doesn't suit our passion, but we don't rule out the possibility that we can contribute with small things that we can do for the environment around us.Vocation: What You Can be Paid For
It is undeniable that in order to survive, of course we must have income. Vocation is something we can do and generate an income for us.Profession: What You Are Good at
Profession is the expertise we have. Or we can train and hone these skills by taking education or attending training courses.Five Important Pillars in Ikigai
In addition, in Ikigai there are five important pillars that support the principles of Ikigai itself. The five pillars are:Pillar 1: Start small
A small thing that can be the start of your day, could be getting up early. When we wake up in the morning, especially with gratitude, it will give us a positive feeling that is useful for starting the day. In the morning, if you have enough sleep, the brain will be fresh and ready to digest new information.Pillar 2: Free yourself
Break free like a child. Small children are used to thinking innocently and as it is. How wonderful it would be if we could maintain a child's perspective throughout our lives. Being in a state of flow and free from self-burden will improve quality in life and work. Being in a state of flow makes work sustainable and enjoyable.Pillar 3: Alignment and continuity
As social beings, it is natural for us to live in harmony and side by side. Likewise in the Ikigai principle, by appreciating and respecting the characteristics of everyone around us, a "golden triangle" will emerge between Ikigai, flow, and creativity. Ikigai is closely related to maintaining harmony with the environment, with the people around it, and society at large. Without it, sustainability will be impossible.Pillar 4: The joy of the little things
The Japanese people are known for their appreciation for the little things. They are used to appreciating something even from the smallest things so as to produce an extraordinary work. For example, Japanese food is sushi. Restaurants in Japan are very meticulous in choosing fish as the main ingredient of sushi. They are willing to get up early and walk to the fish market early in the morning to get the best fish, caught by fishermen last night, that is still fresh and of perfect quality that can be served to their customers.Pillar 5 : Present in the present place and time
Enjoying the time and conditions that are felt in the present moment is one of the pillars of Ikigai. The simplicity that arises from whatever circumstances surround us, when appreciating and enjoying the time that has been given will make life feel more meaningful. Well, that's the concept and life value of Ikigai. Have you found Ikigai in your life? Or even, maybe someone has been living with the concept of Ikigai all this time? Let's find happiness and balance in life with Ikigai. Come on, get up early! References: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life HardcoverMedium.com. "Ikigai Philosophy of a Happy Life". Accessed at https://medium.com/@zelinavenesia/ikigai-philosofi-hidup-bahagia-dc14d78b0e83
