The Clumsy Interloper

I recently read Rob Bell’s How To Be Here and he highlighted the Japanese concept of Ikigai, pronounced “ee-kee-guy,” which integrates the joy and purpose we seek in our daily life. The term is a combination of the Japanese words ‘iki’ (to live) and ‘gai’ (reason), which together signify “a reason to live.”

We’ve all been asked the ubiquitous ice breaker – “What would you do if you won the lottery and money was no object?” This question always left me cold because invariably responses would include a mansion, a stake in a sports franchise or owning a trained cheetah (I have eccentric friends). The flip side of this would be the “Office Space” response that in the face of infinite possibility you would do nothing, essentially taking the rest of your life off.

What I uncovered in reading Rob’s work was something far deeper. The process of finding your Ikigai involves serious introspection and a considered blending of your passions, strengths, vocations and callings into a cohesive personal aspiration. The quest is defining the thing or things that will generate sustained happiness, satisfaction and true purpose in your life. You don’t plug into your Ikigai by wish fulfillment to join the 1% or ceasing all personal development.

Discovering your Ikigai is a personal journey that requires reflection. Take a look at the four elements of the diagram above and free-write (continually without self-censoring) for 5 minutes on each of the four elements. Where did you find overlap? Did you find anything surprising that warrants further investigation? Are you putting off something that sparks joy until your kids are grown and you are retired? What’s the driving force in your life and are your currently pursuing it?

Meditation is a useful ally in your discovery of Ikigai. I’ve found that developing a regular practice, even for 5-10 minutes a day, will help quiet the mind, reduce stress, and gain clarity on what truly matters. After much quiet contemplation, I felt my Ikigai resided in my lost exercise of writing which I did prolifically in my younger years. My joy stirs when I am in nature considering what this human experience means to me. Whether I can get paid for writing one day on such topics remains to be seen, but I know I am most happy when I am expressing myself. I want to leave a tome behind for my daughters to read when I’m gone full of vulnerability, questioning and compassion. I encourage you to seek out your passions and purpose too, it’s never too late.

Just remember, finding your Ikigai takes time. Be patient and persistent in your pursuit — it’s a journey of self-discovery, not a race to the finish line (in which case a cheetah would actually be ideal).