04/18/2024
✨✨✨✨✨IKIGAI✨✨✨✨✨
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During my last visit to Germany at my grandmaster's house with my Mentor Kancho and Hanshi Lemmens, we delved into deep conversations about the meaning of life. It was there that Hanshi Vera, whom I admire for her toughness, kindness, and wisdom, introduced me to the Japanese concept of Ikig*i. Once ag*in, I g*ined valuable insights from her that prompted me to contemplate further.
"Ikig*i" is a Japanese concept that combines the two words "iki," meaning life, and "g*i," meaning worth or value. It represents the idea of finding joy, purpose, and fulfillment in life through the intersection of four essential elements:
1. Passion (What you love):
Doing something you are genuinely passionate about, an activity that brings you joy and fulfillment.
2. Vocation (What the world needs): Engaging in work or activities that contribute positively to the world, meeting a need or providing value to others.
3. Profession (What you can be rewarded for): Pursuing activities that not only align with your passions and contribute to society but also have the potential to generate income.
4. Mission (What you are good at): Involves focusing on your strengths, skills, and areas of expertise, emphasizing doing things that you excel at.
The concept of ikig*i is often represented as a Venn diagram, where these four elements intersect. The point where passion, vocation, profession, and mission converge is considered the "sweet spot" or the source of one's ikig*i – the reason for being.
In summary, ikig*i is about discovering and nurturing the balance between what you love, what the world needs, what you can be rewarded for, and what you are good at. It encourages individuals to find purpose and meaning in their lives by aligning these core elements. Ikig*i is not a destination but a continuous journey of self-discovery and harmonizing various aspects of one's life.
MY IKIGAI
Reflecting on my own Ikig*i, I pondered my desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of my students, friends, family and the world . As a teacher, instructor, leader, and influencer, I recognize the power and responsibility inherent in these roles. Utilizing this power conscientiously can truly impact others, echoing the adage: "With great power comes great responsibility."
