20/09/2023
Reading this really resonated with me â¤ď¸ I dovalue being still, when and if I have time! Which of course, I need to make more time forâŚ.. But when being busy it needs to be with purpose and aligned to my passion and my heart, whether itâs helping my husband, my son, my friends or neighbours through big challenges, or doing my nursing studies so I can help others in a new and meaningful way - these are all often hard, but bring me joy and I feel nourished even though I get tired - this has helped me understand why!
I can see that living my life and handling what life is putting before me with all its challenges mindfully embracing the principles of Iki g*i (çăç˛ć) along with compassion of Buddhism, I am helped nourished, fulfilled and all be it tired sometimes, healthy đ
Thank you to my RR friend for sharing it (Helen Brennan Peak)
Please read on and I hope it touches you too - Iâd love to hear your thoughtsâŚ.?â¤ď¸
Iki g*i (çăç˛ć)
is a Japanese word that can be roughly translated as âthe happiness of always being busyâ. People who discovered their ikig*i have everything they need for a long, purposeful, and fulfilling life.
The book concludes with ten simple rules worth following:
1. Stay active; donât retire.
Those who give up the things they love doing and do well lose their purpose in life. Thatâs why itâs so important to keep doing things of value, making progress, bringing beauty or utility to others, helping out, and shaping the world around you, even after your âofficialâ professional activity has ended.
2. Take it slow.
Being in a hurry is inversely proportional to the quality of life. As the old saying goes, âWalk slowly and youâll go far.â When we leave urgency behind, life and time take on new meaning.
3. Donât fill your stomach.
Less is more when it comes to eating for long life, too. According to the 80 percent rule, in order to stay healthier longer, we should eat a little less than our hunger demands instead of stuffing ourselves.
4. Surround yourself with good friends.
Friends are the best medicine, there for confiding worries over a good chat, sharing stories that brighten your day, getting advice, having fun, dreaming... in other words, living.
5. Get in shape for your next birthday.
Water moves; it is at its best when it flows fresh and doesnât stagnate. The body you move through life needs a bit of daily maintenance to keep it running for a long time. Plus, exercise releases hormones that make us feel happy.
6. Smile.
A cheerful attitude is not only relaxingâit also helps make friends. Itâs good to recognize the things that arenât so great, but we should never forget what a privilege it is to be in the here and now in a world so full of possibilities.
7. Reconnect with nature.
Though most people live in cities these days, human beings are made to be part of the natural world. We should return to it often to recharge our batteries.
8. Give thanks.
To your ancestors, to nature, which provides you with the air you breathe and the food you eat, to your friends and family, to everything that brightens your days and makes you feel lucky to be alive. Spend a moment every day giving thanks, and youâll watch your stockpile of happiness grow.
9. Live in the moment.
Stop regretting the past and fearing the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering.
10. Follow your ikig*i.
There is a passion inside you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to share the best of yourself until the very end.
Although each of us has a different ikig*i, it is always related to the search for meaning. When we find our ikig*i, we are immersed in what is important to us and, therefore, feel more complete. When we lose it, we feel gloom. Ikig*i sets us to the state of âflowâ when we experience fun, delight, and creativity when we are fully enwrapped in life.
Ikig*i is our existential fuel. We need to remember to have something that keeps us busy doing what we love while being surrounded by people who love and support us.
