Ikigai is a Japanese word for “reason for being” or more loosely translated, “the reason why you wake up each morning.” What makes your life worthwhile, what gives meaning and purpose to your life?
We all need a raison d’être (French, literally “reason to be”), a North Star to guide, direct, and inspire us.
At a very young age, I made a vow “To Live No Ordinary Life”. Over time this evolved into “The Best I Can Be, I Must Be” and “To Give Anything Less than Your Best is to Sacrifice the Gift” with many philosophical musings along the way as to what “best” truly meant. Today, in my 7th decade, I simply want to leave the world a tiny bit better for having lived, to be just a little bit better human than when I woke.
What is your ikigai?
Closing Quotes:
“Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.” – W. Clement Stone
“Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it” ― Buddha
“The path to our destination is not always a straight one. We go down the wrong road, we get lost, we turn back. Maybe it doesn’t matter which road we embark on. Maybe what matters is that we embark.” – Barbara Hall
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier