What is your Ikigai?
As many of us try around this time of year to make resolutions to eat better, swear less, save more, stress less, and exercise more, many of us are also probably going to break these resolutions a couple weeks from now. Certainly, by the time the Cherry Blossoms come out in Washington, DC, the majority of well-intentioned resolutions will be all but forgotten.
I’m convinced that it’s not our resolve to commit to the resolution that’s faulty. Perhaps it’s more how we think of these resolutions, what is driving it, and why we feel we have to create new ones every year only to break them. Do you want a healthier, happier, longer life?
What is your Ikigai?
My what? Your Ikigai! I’ve got one, you’ve got one, everybody’s got one! According to the Japanese, Ikigai is similar to the French raison d’être. Ikigai is a hidden enduring passion that gives your life satisfaction and meaning to be alive. Before you go sign up for that expensive gym membership or buy that $100 wrinkle cream, take a look at this great piece by Dan Buettner, Emmy-winning documentary bicyclist, explorer, and researcher of Blue Zones, regions of the Earth where people live healthy, happy, productive lives past 100.
No, there are no gimmicks, no special calorie-free diets, no As-Seen-On-TV gadgets.
Source: Andrew Sullivan, The Daily Dish, How to Live to 90
It turns out that eating less, eating more plant-based foods, having friends, staying active, and respecting your elders have more staying power than gym memberships or wrinkle creams.
I suppose I should know – I had an incredible example in my adorable little grandmother who lived well into her 90s. She never, ever overate, but she never starved herself. She could never say no to vanilla ice cream or Cake Mountain Man’s famous chocolate chip cookies or my Rice Krispies Treats (when I moved out for college, she had to resort to the packaged ones which were never as good as my homemade ones – I wish I could make her a batch right now!), but she never weighed more than 110 pounds. She never joined a gym (and didn’t believe girls should spent too much time in gyms growing unsightly man biceps), but she walked up and down stairs daily and could keep pace with 20-something year olds even into her 90s. She never drank milk, but her posture was ballerina-straight until the day she passed away.
Several years ago, I actually won an eating contest – NO, NOT ALL YOU CAN EAT – I just happened to enter and win a cherry dessert contest at the landmark Phillips Seafood Restaurant on DC’s waterfront. As a result, my grandmother had a cherry blossom tree planted in her name right on the Tidal Basin as part of the National Cherry Blossom Festival (I’m sure we’ll post some yummy cherry recipes when the 2010 festival begins, so stay tuned). She was tickled pink.
So I like to think that part of her Ikigai was us, her grandchildren (her nickname for me was food-related, surprise, surprise).
What’s yours?
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About the Author (Author Profile)
With a flair for spontaneity, pizzazz, creative excellence and her own unique sense of aesthetic grace and perspective, we have our very dear friend, Belinda (or B, to some of us). Although an incredibly accomplished professional and career woman, B’s down-to-earth approach and demeanor transcends all scenarios, communities and people. She manifests, in her day-to-day, the essence of the word “Zomppa” as demonstrated by her extraordinary commitment to creating sustainable and positive change for us and future generations to come. She’s asked for a dog every year since she was five. Check out Belinda’s work on global education research and coaching: www.hummingbirdrcc.com or more about her portfolio www.belindachiu.com.Comments (4)
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- Hara Hachi Bu: Homemade Pate | Zomppa - International Food Magazine | February 23, 2011
What a thoughtful remembrance of your grandmother. The wispy clusters of cherry blossoms are beautiful! What is my ikigai? Having choices, knowing what to expect in life and being able to make decisions enriches life.
belinda…i read and cried….this was such a beautiful remembrance of your grandma! She was always so beautiful and elegant!!!
This is such a beautiful and sweet post for your grandmother. I bet she must be so happy and her ikigai topped up again to know that you’ve written this sweet remembrance of her. Very beautifully written!