Fulfillment and finding one’s purpose in life are common themes in this blog and in my own life. When I saw Ikigai—Find Your Reason for Being: Uncover the Japanese Secret to Happiness and Purpose in Your Life by John Lancashire, I was immediately intrigued and wanted to know more about the concept, which has been part of Japanese culture for centuries.
Focus on the good in your life. When things are going smoothly, it is easy to focus on what is good. You may still have small headaches and minor setbacks, but overall, life feels steady and positive. It is when things go south that staying positive becomes both more difficult and more important. Focusing only on the negative aspects of your life can become a slippery slope. It may lead to self-pity, catastrophizing, and prioritizing the wrong things. Developing the habit of keeping the good things in your life—both past and future—at the forefront of your thoughts can help keep negativity at bay and allow you to stay focused on the path toward your goals.
I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. In my experience, they start strong but fizzle out quickly. I’m more of a fan of regular and consistent attention to habits and lifestyle, to goals and vision. Resolutions are popular because people tend to slip off their desired habits during the holidays, and resolutions help them get back on track. But it’s obviously better not to fall off the wagon in the first place. Easier said than done, I know. Treating yourself during special occasions is healthy. So where is the sweet spot? Where does a special treat start, and falling off the wagon begin?
The world has become a complex, busy, challenging place. It can be difficult to cut through the noise to focus on what’s truly important. It can also be hard to achieve mental and emotional clarity. Drastic changes have occurred in our world in a very short time, and people are facing unprecedented challenges, the nature of which was unknown only one hundred years ago. We’re writing the script as we’re acting in the play, and it has resulted in mental health challenges for many, if not most, people. The good news is that we can move toward clarity by acknowledging our circumstances and taking steps to address our challenges.
What are the ingredients of a meaningful life? The simple answer is finding something personally meaningful to you. But, of course, it’s not that simple. It’s vital to understand how endeavors are meaningful to you. What do they give you? How do they make you feel? There are several ways to consider this. One is that an activity fills you with pride and makes you feel good about yourself and how you spend your time. Another is having a positive impact on the world and making a difference. A third is discovery or developing a deeper understanding of something. A meaningful life may be related to your career, a hobby, or how you interact with people. There are many ways to find meaning in your life.