Ikigai
Volume 23, Chapter II, Number 011
Hello!
This Week’s One Great Thing: A Letter to My Daughter (On Why Finding Your Ikigai Is Important)
Dear Isabela,
Happy 7th birthday! Today marks another year in your journey of life, and I am so grateful to be here to celebrate it with you. I’m writing this letter now, but I will send this to you when you’re older (because some things we hear when we’re young only make sense when we are much older). I want to tell you something about this special Japanese word: ikigai, which means “your reason for being."
Do you remember when you feel really happy playing lego or drawing? Sometimes you do not even hear me when I talk to you while you are playing Lego. Or have you seen Aria smile while she’s dancing? That is because both of you are doing something you love. This is called passion, it is a powerful thing, and it is an important part of what makes you who you are. As you grow up, it will be important to continue to develop your passions, as they are a key part of finding your ikigai.
And when you are good at what you do, people say "wow, Isabela is so good at drawing!" That is what it means to be good at something.
Your ikigai is the intersection of four things: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. When you find your ikigai, you will be doing something that you are passionate about, that you are good at, that is helpful to others, and that you can make a living from.
When you have all of these elements working together, you will have a sense of purpose, fulfillment, and happiness that is rare and hard to beat. I know of people older than you who have not found their ikigai. And I know of many people who go through life searching for their ikigai, but have not found it until now. Having an ikigai will make you feel motivated, focused and you will be able to make the world a better place. It's like having a special mission in life, and it will make you feel happy and proud.
Finding your ikigai is like finding a treasure. It is not easy, but it is a wonderful journey. To help you find your ikigai, it is important to start by thinking about what you love doing. What are the things that you enjoy doing so much that you forget about time? Maybe it is playing with your toys, drawing pictures, or helping others. Whatever it is, make a list of these things and think about what makes you happy about doing them.
Next, think about what you are good at. What are the things that people often say you are good at? Maybe it is being creative, being a good friend, or being good at solving problems. Write down what you are good at and think about how you can use these skills to help others. Sometimes it starts with what other people say, but as you grow older, you become more confident about what you KNOW you are good at, and you don’t need other people to tell you.
Now, think about what the world needs. What are the problems that people face in the world that you would like to help solve? It could be anything from helping animals, helping the environment or helping people in need. Write down what you think the world needs and think about how you can use your skills and interests to make a difference.
Finally, think about what you can be paid for. This means finding something that you love, are good at, the world needs and people are willing to pay you for doing it. This will help you make money and support yourself, so you can continue to do the things you love.
One way to start this process is to keep a journal and write down your reflections. Another way to find your ikigai is to be open to new experiences and opportunities. Don't be afraid to try new things, even if they seem a little scary. You never know what you might discover about yourself, and you may find that you have a talent or passion that you never knew you had. Remember when Aria learned to stretch during her dance? At first she thought she won't be able to do it. But she stretched, and she did. When we stretch ourselves, we learn we can do new things we did not think possible.
It is important to remember that finding your ikigai takes time and it is okay if it changes as you grow up. You might find that what you thought was your ikigai changes as you learn more about yourself and the world. That's okay, it is a part of the journey.
I am so proud of you, Isabela. You are smart, kind, and talented and I know you will find your Ikigai one day. Just remember, finding it takes time, but it will be worth it.
Love,
Your Dada
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More Great Stuff:
We reflect on the Jewish feast of PURIM.
- Purim commemorates the day Esther, Queen of Persia, saved the Jewish people from execution by Haman, the advisor to the Persian king. Esther bravely exposed her previously hidden Jewish heritage to her husband the king and asked him to save her people.
- And he did.
- Purim celebrates that. One is OBLIGATED to rejoice on Purim. So you rejoice not because you're happy or in a situation of joy. You are OBLIGATED to rejoice even if you are broken-hearted or feeling downtrodden. Purim teaches us that is an obligation to seek out whatever tiny spark of joy is possible, and welcome that spark into one’s heart.
- That's a beautiful--if weird--thought: that one is OBLIGATED to seek out joy. It takes you out of this self-centred, very Western idea that joy can ONLY come from within oneself. It forces you to look at joy as coming from a place that's bigger than yourself. It's not a psychological or spiritual escape, rather it is allowing yourself to be swept by a power bigger than you are and allowing that power to work through you.
I’ve Been Laid Off 5.5 Times. Here Are 4.5 Lessons I Learned
- Vassily is a software engineer with 20 years of experience and has been fired 5+ times
- He discusses lessons learned from being fired multiple times: - Don't blame yourself, as layoffs often happen regardless of job performance - Choose employers carefully, as it's a big decision that can affect job security - Being fired can be a blessing in disguise, leading to better opportunities - Being open and honest about being fired can lead to new opportunities - Be prepared for the possibility of being fired and have a plan in place
Ok! Now pause, get yourself to a window, look up to the sky, smile, and have a great day! Look forward to send you another letter next week!
☕ eric santillan