If you’re on a search, to find happiness you may find it by pursuing what feels meaningful in your life. The Japanese call this formula for happiness and meaning “Ikigai” (I-kee_gee)

Flashback to 2004, you would have found me rushing, through a day spent juggling, family life – married with three school aged children; work life, secondary teacher with a leadership role as head of a busy secondary school faculty; and daughter and caregiver for my mum who had just been diagnosed with early onset dementia.

I was often running on stress induced cortisol, feeling frazzled and close to burnout.

Up until that point I thought I was doing well, family means a lot to me, I had a wonderful husband, three amazing kids; a great career, and I enjoyed good health. The problem, I was unable to maintain this speed of life, and I felt a strong pull toward something else and a need to change my lifestyle.

 Since then I have been on a mission. Like the drive of a lifetime, with twists and turns, hills and dips, bumps and obstacles in the road, I make my way to create “my best life”.

So recently when I came across the concept of ikigai, it caught my interest and curiosity.

Roughly translated it means a reason for being, encompassing joy, a sense of purpose and meaning and a feeling of well-being. The word derives from iki, meaninglife and kai, meaning the realisation of hopes and expectations.

 It’s the Japanese concept with the idea that a life worth living is found in the intersection between passion, mission, profession and vocation

In our search for happiness and meaning we can focus on these four overlapping qualities or principles.

• Passion – What you love, what you’re really drawn toward, and what’s important.
• Mission – What the world needs. What you were put on this earth to do, and how can you contribute?
• Profession – What you’re good at. Your natural talents and strengths, and the experiences and skills you have developed as you’ve made your way.
• Vocation – What you can be paid for. How you choose to earn a living, and to earn your value.

Although it’s important to note a lot of women I know who have found their ikigai have gladly taken a drop in pay because they feel more fulfilled coming from this place.

According to the Japanese people everyone has an ikigai – a reason for living. Some have found it, while others are still looking, though they carry it within them.  Our ikigai is hidden deep inside us and finding it, can require a patient search

It is said that those that find their ikigai have everything they need for a long and joyful journey through life.

So I find myself asking, “have I found my Ikaigi?”

I decided all that time ago, I didn’t want to feel overworked and under-relaxed,the ‘I’m so busy’ brag was not for me. I set out to create a lifestyle where I could have a blend of all the best things that I really want in my life; setting the intention for abundance, meaningful work that I love, to make a contribution to help others, time for family and friends, to take opportunities for travel and adventure, time in the day to devote to well being – exercise, rest, learning new things and doing the things I enjoy.

That’s it then, – my ikigai?!

Have you found ikaigi?

I encourage you to…

Follow your bliss. Respond to the call for greatness – using your unique skills and strengths, and look to the contribution you can make in the world.

I would love to be your guide.

To work together, to explore your options, to find your special skills and experiences that can contribute to something new, and to help you take the first steps toward following your bliss.

If that’s something you’d like to do lets chat.
xJo