Book | IKIGAI (2016)

​“Life is not a problem to be solved. Just remember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while being surrounded by the people who love you.” - Hector Garcia Puigcerver, Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life

IKIGAI (2016)

IKIGAI means "life"+ "to be worthwhile" in Japanese. The IKIGAI lifestyle emphasizes keeping a sense of purpose and meaning in living. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life (2016), by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles, explains the lifestyle in-depth and leaves us with some valuable tips to enjoy a long-living life.

IKIGAI is a popular philosophy for a happy life. This book brings unique perspectives if you are looking for ideas on how to have an enjoyable life. The recommendation to read the book post this summary is 4.0. 

The following are the key ideas I learn from the book: 

• Find a Purpose. We need to know what we love to do, what we are good at, what the world needs, and what we can get paid for. In other words, we would always have something to do, something to love, something to hope for, and something to give. Don't retire. Keeping valuable and active can help you live longer. This sense of being on a mission drives us to learn new things daily with clear objectives. 
• Joining into a Community. Social is essentially part of our life. A season of belonging to a community with close friends giving, and taking within the community makes us happy. 
• 80% full diet. Each with more plates but is less full. When we feel full, stop eating. Eat more variety of foods. 
• Stay Focused. Focus on one task at a time, present moments, and the ritual rather than goals. The state of flow can help us be productive and keep things simple while paying attention to details. Meditation helps calm our minds and gain a habit of focusing on one thing. ​

The book reminds us that life is a celebration. We celebrate every day what we learn and give back.

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