I finally read the famous book Ikigai, by Francesca Miralles and Hector Garcia. It is a book based on a Japanese secret to a Long and a Happy life, the authors wrote while they were in Japan, especially Okinawa.
I finished this book and i am not exaggerating when i say that it is really influential and life changing read. The book is very well written including the basic problems almost all of us face or at least will face once in their lifetime.
Ikigai means “Life worth to live” or “ Purposeful Life”. It is your reason to get out of bed everyday, doing something that makes you happy. In today's selfish world, it can be pretty difficult to find your Ikigai. Although, there are people in this world, who are over a hundred years old, yet still active and happy and are doing what you love. They teach us how to be alive, happy and passionate fulfilling life.
Here are 6 lessons to be learnt from this book:
In this fast pace lifestyle, we often miss out on the deeper meaning in life and just brush through the surface. Slowing down and being present allows us to really take everything in and completely experience the moments in our day. And by doing so, our lives begin to take on more purpose and meaning, deepening our self awareness and live more intentionally.
A simple act to spend in nature allows us to reconnect with the beauty and the stillness of it. It benefits us both mentally and physically.
This is a very crucial part of the okinawan diet. Okinawans believe that we should eat only till you are 80% full or stop eating till you notice tgat you are almost full. Overeating weighs diwn our bodies leading to unnecessary stress to our digestive systems and can effect our health in the long term.
According to this book, the centenarians, people who live about 100 years, are not really the ones who exercise more intensely, but the ones who simple move the most everyday. We need to provide regular maintenance of our bodies in order for it to carry us through life.
Taking time out of our day to give thanks for whatever you have helps us shift our mental focus frim our worries to the more positive things. Write down things that you are grateful for at the end of the day.
The simplest things are the most beautiful and it explains a very simple thing that- Eat right, Exercise and do what make you happy. A must read book. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone.
