Lessons from Ikigai

NIE Year 4 Semester 1 has ended for me. Since I only have FYP to worry about, I decided that I would invest the bulk of my time at the library to read. Reading is so important in life as it broadens our perspectives and deepens our understanding of the world. It gives us a glimpse of other worldviews and how we should live our lives with meaning. One of my recent favourite discoveries is this amazing book - Ikigai. Through the authors' wisdom and profound writing, I have learnt 5 key lessons:

           1. Hara Hachi Bu     

• A Japanese phrase which means 'fill your belly to 80 percent.' To live a long life, we should learn to eat in moderation.

           2. Doing One Thing At A Time

• In the 21st century, we are swarmed by technology and screens. Their creators promised and designed them to be time-savers, but they turned out to be time-wasters, garnering our attention and reducing our ability to focus. We are obsessed with notifications and trivial information that distract us from the real work at hand. We need to return to the art of singular focus, and cease all forms of multitasking.

           3. Learning To Live In The Moment

• Our educational system and global economic climate have forged us into people who are constantly worrying about and preparing for the future. Very so often, we forget to enjoy the present moment. A Japanese proverb says, 'Walk slowly and you will go far.' This proverb is so simple but yet so profound. Seriously, what is the hurry?

           4. Find a Like-Minded Community of Friends

• To ensure a long life, we need to have a community of friends who share moments of joy (and even sorrows) and share the same interests as us. God made us to be social creatures - born to enjoy relationships. 

• One of my favorite communities in life is the 10K Brother fitness group. We meet every weekend to exercise and stay healthy. My desire is to gather and build a small family which strives to encourage each other to become stronger - physically and mentally. It is my prayer that the group would grow even stronger as we enter 2018, and that more young leaders would rise up to lead and serve.