🌸 Noire Henro-san: Ikigai

Learning life lessons is why I am here on this planet… like a rider on the storm. In the turbulence, I remember that I’ve seen it before and lived. Yes, I have seen this before and …….. lived.

Believe me, each day is a lesson and that exercise – learning – is painful. Would it feel different if I were born with my own syllabus based on my life’s desires? I might add a little pain to toughen myself up…… not!

Mostly, I honor and love myself. And define myself by what I choose to do and see.

In the midst of turbulence, incivility and all things chaotic, we can choose to remain mentally, emotionally and physically centered.

I believe that what you choose to experience with your senses, your body, and soul influences your entire waking life. All of us have our own story to tell.

My story is unique to me and I am grateful that I can recount it and survive the telling.

What do I mean by that? Sometimes it is difficult and painful remembering things in our lives that happened to us. Let’s pause a minute here. There are also many things that happen for us if we choose to remember. And we do get to choose.

Thinking Ikigai

Is it the secret of Japanese happiness or happiness – period?

On the surface, ikigai translates to “that what you get out of bed for”.

What is the purpose of even finding out? According to the Japanese, the answer could hold the key to happiness and fulfillment.

幸福
Kōfuku
Happiness

Seeking Balance

I want to be happy and live a long time… as long as I am healthy. It is not YOLO or being reckless for the sake of doing things out of my norm.

But then, how do I live happily and for a long time? How do I find this little extra soul that makes me want to get out of bed?

Finding my ikigai involves seeking balance while discovering what I love about myself in this present realm.

Once I find it, can I find just one more or even another? I think… yes.

I’ll begin with one that already gets me up in the morning, walking. Yes, doctors admonish all of us to move it or lose it.

Can it develop into a passion in my life? I don’t know, but I am passionate about living!

Living Ikigai

Is living ikigai easy or simple? Individually, each of us must figure that out.

Start with everyday things. It may be difficult to walk or exercise regularly. Eating the right foods in the right amounts is always a challenge. Getting out in nature may be near impossible. Yes, it is not so easy if it is not already a habit.

It may already be in our minds to do these things but we do not. Maybe we don’t know how but we can learn.

And live a little longer.

Thankfully I know,
That I am always learning,
and always aware.

Baadaye and Mata Ne (またね)

🌹🌹Shirley J