Connect With Your Reason For Being

Embrace your life journey with a renewed sense of purpose and vitality using the Japanese concept of "ikigai".

Ikigai

Ikigai, a Japanese concept meaning "a reason for being," encourages us to find that sweet spot where our passions, talents, values, and needs intersect. I’ve often come back to this venn diagram throughout my adult life to remember the many intersecting ways that my unique energy and skills contribute to the world and to my own wellbeing. Take a moment to reflect on the following areas of your life and see what becomes clearer.

Mission

Your mission combines what you love doing with what the world needs. Spending too much time on your mission (and passion) can bring joy and fullness but sometimes not enough wealth.

Vocation

Your vocation combines what the world needs with what you can be paid for. Spending more time on your vocation (and mission) can be exciting and feel necessary, but often has a sense of overwhelm and/or uncertainty.

Profession

Your profession is that which you can be paid for and what you are good at. Spending more time on your profession (and vocation) can be comfortable, but sometimes comes with a feeling of emptiness.

Passion

Your Passion is what you are good at AND love doing. Working more on your passion might be satisfying for the heart, but can bring a feeling of uselessness.

Remember…

Remember my friends on the path, prioritizing down time to think about and journal about these aspects of your life on occasion can be so helpful in your long term sanity and growth. Self-care and movement is important for you personally and for you to model within your greater family. It's about carving out time for yourself amid the busyness of parenthood, career and financial needs, and reconnecting with what truly lights you up. 

Whether it's yoga, dance, hiking, or simply a daily walk in nature, movement is a powerful form of self-expression and rejuvenation that can help you better connect with appropriate sense of purpose and wellbeing. Let's rediscover the joy and moving our bodies and nurturing our souls. 

Embracing ikigai isn't about adding more to your plate. It's about aligning with what brings you fulfillment and vitality. Let's remember we are on this journey together, finding balance, purpose, and joy in every step.