Have you read the book IKIGAI by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles? It says that the people of Japan believe that everyone has an ikigai – a reason to live.

It talks about having a purpose in life. We all need to discover our purpose. When we find our purpose, then we become passionate about our work. The book IKIGAI is a beautiful read. But it doesn’t offer any particular explanation or guide to understanding your Ikigai. Rather, it takes you through the lives of the elderly residents of Ogami, a small village in Okinawa, who are known for their longer life spans. The book concludes with 10 ten rules of ikigai, distilled by the author from the wisdom of these long-living residents. You could interpret the rules as the lifestyle habits that enable the senior residents of Ogami to live long and enjoy their ikigai.

1. Stay active; don’t retire.

“Those who give up the things they love doing and do well lose their purpose in life. That’s why it’s so important to keep doing things of value, making progress, bringing beauty or utility to others, helping out, and shaping the world around you, even after your “official” professional activity has ended.”

2. Take it slow.

“Being in a hurry is inversely proportional to the quality of life. As the old saying goes, “Walk slowly and you’ll go far.” When we leave urgency behind, life and time take on new meaning.”

If you are in a hurry it incites that you are not in control and under stress. By taking things slow it means you are more mindful of your decisions, in control and more often than not doing the things you want to do.

3. Don’t fill your stomach.

“Less is more when it comes to eating for a long life, too. According to the 80 percent rule, in order to stay healthier longer, we should eat a little less than our hunger demands instead of stuffing ourselves.”

‘Hara hachi bun me ni isha irazu’- this Japanese proverb translates to ‘Eating to only 80% full keeps the doctors away’. You mostly hear Japanese people just say ‘hara hachi bu” towards the end or on completion of eating a meal to indicate they feel almost full.

4. Surround yourself with good friends.

“Friends are the best medicine; for confiding worries over a good chat, sharing stories that brighten your day, getting advice, having fun, dreaming . . . in other words, living.”

If we pause for a moment to reflect on how we spend a large portion of our time looking at screens, we realize that a big chunk of our time is indeed spent alone. This rule acts as a reminder of the importance of friendship and all its benefits. Instead of looking through a social media feed, call an old friend and make a date to catch up.

5. Get in shape for your next birthday.

“Water moves; it is at its best when it flows fresh and doesn’t stagnate. The body you move through in life needs a bit of daily maintenance to keep it running for a long time. Plus, exercise releases hormones that make us feel happy.”

6. Smile

“A cheerful attitude is not only relaxing – it also helps make friends. It’s good to recognize the things that aren’t so great, but we should never forget what a privilege it is to be in the here and now in a world so full of possibilities.”

7. Reconnect with nature

 “Are you familiar with the Japanese word shinrin-yoku? It translates to ‘forest bathing’ and means connecting with nature using the five senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. It is a mindfulness practice to help you reconnect with nature so that you can rejuvenate the body and give the mind a moment of peace.”

8. Give thanks

“To your ancestors, to nature, which provides you with the air you breathe and the food you eat, to your friends and family, to everything that brightens your days and makes you feel lucky to be alive. Spend a moment every day giving thanks and you’ll watch your stockpile of happiness grow.”

9. Live in the moment

“Stop regretting the past and fearing the future. Today is all you have. Make the most of it. Make it worth remembering.”

10. Follow your ikigai

“There is a passion inside you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to share the best of yourself until the very end. If you don’t know what your ikigai is yet, as Viktor Frankl says, your mission is to discover it.”

As Ken Mogi wrote in his book, The Little Book of Ikigai;

‘Ikigai does not come from a single value system. It is not written in the orders of God. It comes from the rich spectrum of a spectrum of small things, none of which serves a grandiose purpose in life.’

We could change the last rule to ‘Develop a Sense of Purpose’. Purpose is a central element to ikigai and something we can develop and feel when we do things with care and work towards contributing to those around us. We don’t have to be the best version of ourselves, just our honest authentic self in all of life’s moments.