Month 1: Living Your Why: A Practical Guide Through the Lens of Ikigai
After exploring the lives of Jesus, Dr. Myles Monroe, Mwalimu Nyerere, Rev. Dr.ElionaKimao, and reflecting on my journey, one practical framework has helped bring clarity to the ongoing question: How do I live out my purpose in a way that is joyful, useful, and sustainable? That framework is Ikigai—a Japanese concept meaning “a reason for being.”
In Okinawa, Japan—home to some of the world’s longest-living people—there is no word for “retirement.” That’s because Ikigai keeps them going, even into their 90s. They rise each morning with joy, not because of fame, wealth, or power, but because they know that what they do matters. And that’s a lesson we can all draw from.
Ikigai is not a theory. It is a way of life.
The Four Circles of Ikigai: Finding the Sweet Spot
🌸 1. What You Love – Your Passion
This is your heart’s voice. Think of the things that spark your joy, make you lose track of time, or fill you with energy. They may not be practical at first glance, but they are essential clues to your inner calling.
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls.” — Joseph Campbell
🔧 2. What You Are Good At – Your Vocation
These are your natural gifts or cultivated talents—what you can do better than most. Others often point them out before you recognize them. You may be an excellent communicator, a skilled artisan, or a wise problem-solver.
🌍 3. What the World Needs – Your Mission
Purpose becomes powerful when it is connected to service. This quadrant invites you to look beyond yourself and ask: Where is there pain in the world that I feel called to help heal?
“The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner
💰 4. What You Can Be Paid For – Your Profession
Purpose must also touch the earth—it must feed your family, sustain your needs, and allow you to thrive. If it doesn't yet pay, that doesn't mean it’s not your purpose, but you may need to build a bridge toward making it viable.
When only one or two quadrants are fulfilled, life feels imbalanced:
- Do only what you love, and you may feel unproductive.
- Do only what you’re good at and paid for, and you may feel empty.
- Serve the world without joy or income, and you may feel burnt out.
- Work only for money, and you may feel trapped.
When only one or two areas of your life are fulfilled—such as doing what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, or what pays—you end up feeling imbalanced. Doing only what you love can feel unproductive; working just for money can feel like a trap; serving without joy or income can lead to burnout; and using your skills only for pay may leave you feeling empty. But when all four elements align, life becomes whole. That’s where Ikigai lives—in the beautiful intersection of passion, mission, vocation, and profession.
Practices for a Life Rooted in Ikigai
Inspired by the people of Ogimi Village, here are daily habits that reflect the Ikigai lifestyle:
- Begin the day slowly and intentionally – Create space for prayer, silence, or planning.
- Engage in meaningful work, no matter how small.
- Eat mindfully – Practice hara hachibu (stop eating when 80% complete).
- Stay socially connected – Community fuels resilience.
- Never fully retire from purpose – Keep finding ways to be useful in joy.
“Only those who remain busy doing what they love live long and well.” – Ikigai proverb.
Reflection: Where do you feel the strongest pull right now — passion, mission, vocation, or profession? What might be out of alignment?
Further reading:
García, Héctor, and FrancescMiralles. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life. New York: Penguin Books, 2016.