Book Review: Ikigai – Finding Meaning in the Small, Everyday Things
Hello everyone,
A book I have procrastinated for a long time before finally deciding to check it out is Ikigai. It is a book I have been aware of for a while, but I chose not to read it or take any action. It was a couple of years ago when I came across the book, back in 2022. Back then, I said to myself that I was not ready to read it. I do not know if you have experienced something like that, where you say to yourself that you are not ready to read a particular book yet, but probably when the time is right, you will know.
Well, that was what it was for me back then until today, I decided it is high time. Frankly, not entirely s. I was chatting with a friend about life and what it means to find meaning in a world of chaos. It was poetic, I mean, the discussion on how we share our thoughts, and it got him to recommend Ikigai. Once again, my path crossed with the book Ikigai after forgetting about it a couple of years back.
Usually, it takes a simple quote from a book to get me hooked and talking about it, and this time, the quote from Ikigai is:
“Our ikigai is hidden deep inside each of us, and finding it requires patience.”
The book is centered on finding our meaning in life from calm process of looking within oneself. It is more like looking inward to what you have lying within you. I take it that it means find what brings your delight when you embark. It is admirable that the book is more concerned with doing it patiently, unlike other self-help books that provoke the need for drastic actions. Ikigai is different in the sense that the authors believe your meaning is within you and can be seen in the small things and everyday things.
I relate to this a lot because, a couple of days back, I wrote about appreciating the simple things in life in this post: • Notes from the Still Hours, and I believe also through these things one can find their purpose and meaning to life. I have been working on life's meaning and coming to the acceptance that I am on a journey of life, learning through the circumstances and finding happiness in even the darkest of times. Dumbledore once said
Light can be found even in the darkest of places if only you remember to turn on the light. So, why don't you appreciate those simple things and look within for your life's meaning if you have not found one?
The thought of the authors I solely agree upon is the understanding that the finding of life's meaning does not have to be a grandiose life call to the altar, or, in my opinion, an answer to the calling. It can be found in the simple things you do that give your life meaning and peace. It could be as simple as spending time with your family, which gives you the sole purpose of wanting to provide for them and making sure they do not lack. It could be that simple. Do not make it that complicated for yourself; the world is there to do that already, so cut yourself some slack.
I am @samostically, a chess player and writer. I love to share the experience I have gained from different battles over the 64 squares and the knowledgeable insights from books I have read. But most importantly, I am a Midnight Owl and I founded the community Midnight Letters.
♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟
Wonderfully written. A month ago, I finished the book Ikigai @samostically and Im so happy to read someone wrote a blog dedicated to this book. Ikigai is a masterpiece and a humanistic book. It touches the meaning we have already in our life, the joy in the things we are passionate, and the purpose we see in what we love or already loved. The journey of the authors to bring this book into life touched me deeply. They had to meet supercentenarians in Japan, famous personalities like Hayao Miyazaki and some skilled workers in famous companies. They even had parties to specific communities and interviewed people who already found their Ikigai. The book is not just about the Ikigai concept, it also tried to bring us with them on their real life journey, narrating every inch of what happened so we can fully understood the sentiments and narratives actually told before written in the book. Ikigai brought meaning and purpose to my life after reading. Such a wonderful craft. A very beautiful one. And yes, psychology concepts were brought in the book. The "A Man's Search For Meaning" even was emphasized there and other therapies. So it was really interesting.
Thank you for reading and your support. I'm glad you can relate with this book. I also wrote a quote I love from "a man search for meaning " Most of this books, I read over and over as many have similar themes and speaks to me in different ways
I learnt from my parents to appreciate everything that comes my way, no matter how little it is. I came from a poor background but my family happiness and heart of joy will make you think we have the whole world, when we don't have anything to eat, my dad will say we should turn it to fasting,come see us during worship and praises like we had more than enough food in our stomachs, my dad will say we don't have food to eat but we have good health,some don't have food and they don't have good health as well. We should be greatful for that and that's a possibility that tomorrow we will have food to eat, and God always do it.
That is why today among many of my mates , they are jealous of me that I have many whereas they earn more than I do but they lack contentment.
God bless your parents. This is one thing I also learnt. I try my best and give it my all. So I'm proud of whatever I have and willing to give my hardest in different situations.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.