Let’s Learn A Bit of Japanese

By ALICE O’BRIEN Alice O’Brien Counselling, Newmarket

Let us leave the lush pastures of Duhallow this week and head to Japan, to learn a practice called ikigai (I pronounce it Icky-guy- but my Japanese is rusty). In Japanese, iki means alive and gai means worth, put together, ikigui refers to the worth or meaning in your life. It is the practice of finding what gives you meaning and purpose- and we all need that!

In the practice of ikigui there is a convergence of four areas of your life- what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs and what you can be paid for. The centre of all four of these aspects of life is your ikigui. Your purpose

in life and what you should focus. Imagine a life where you found something you could be paid to do, that you love, that people need and that you are good at. There would be less Monday morning blues and stress in your life for one thing.

There are seven rules of ikigui ;

• Stay active. Work as long as you can. Keep busy.

• Take it slow. Do things with pleasure and enjoyment. It may feel normal to rush so resist the urge to hurry.

• Don’t fill your stomach too much. Eat 80% of what is on your plate.

• Surround yourself with good friends. Strong relationships in your life leads to longevity and happiness.

• Exercise everyday- you don’t have to climb mountains, but you can walk in the park.

• Smile often. Even if there is little to smile about, smile anyway.

• Connect with nature. Head to the Island wood, listen to the trees, the river and the birds.

• Give thanks- show gratitude to the simple things in your life.

• Live in the moment, we are not guaranteed any tomorrow- so enjoy the now. This breath is all we have so embrace it.

• Follow your ikigui- discover your passion and let it drive you.

We might not use our Japanese in Banteer, Meelin, Knocknagree or Newmarket- but we can observe the rules of ikigui wherever we are.