Finding
Purpose, Joy and Health!
Written
by SurfWriter Girls Sunny Magdaug and Patti Kishel
At times like these it’s important
to stay healthy, find joy and our purpose in life. These are the things that
will get us through our worries and difficulties.
One of the reasons that the Japanese
live such long and productive lives is that they strive to find their ikigai
– reason for being – and focus on doing the things that give
them a sense of purpose and joy.
Dating back to Japan's Heian period
(794 – 1185), ikigai centers on finding happiness in everyday living.
Translated from the Japanese, it means "the thing that you live for."
It involves finding meaning in life
that may or may not be related to your paid work activities. It could come from
creative pursuits, family or community.
American psychologist Abraham Maslow
noted this in his famous Hierarchy of Needs, in which the highest need
is "self-actualization."
Each person's ikigai is
unique, stemming from your values, beliefs, talents and sense of self. By
developing your talents – whether it's surfing, cooking, gardening, arts, helping
others – you can turn them into joyful pursuits that are healthy, as well.
Scientists have found that people
who experience ikigai are healthier and have less stress, anxiety and
heart disease because it helps regulate the brain's dopamine and serotonin
levels – things that we all need more than ever now.
And, if your ikigai develops
into a product or service the world needs, it may even turn into a successful
career or business…or a way to make the world better.
In Italy, which has been hard-hit by
the coronavirus, opera singers and musicians are performing from their
balconies to entertain their quarantined neighbors.
Musicians and artists in other parts
of the world are putting on impromptu shows, as well. In Orange County, CA,
people are using colored chalk to create pictures on the sidewalks in front of
their homes to bring joy to walkers.
Ideally, ikigai will be a
part of your life at all stages…with different talents emerging over time and
circumstance that contribute to a happier and healthier life and can make us
stronger.
Forbes magazine says, “Discovering your ikigai, or passion,
can be one of the greatest journeys you will embark on.” – especially now.
Please post your comment below. Comments will appear the
next day.
Sunny
Magdaug and Patti Kishel hold the exclusive rights to this copyrighted material.
Publications wishing to reprint it may contact them at
surfwriter.girls@gmail.com Individuals and non-profit groups are welcome to
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