Ikigai

"Really? I'm at the point in life contemplating on life purpose(s) again?"

I don't claim to understand the whole Japanese concept of Ikigai but reckon after some cursory reading, it seems much aligned with the train of thoughts running through my mind.

Sure, there were other things earlier in life. Made a commitment to have a family while still in college but 30 years later, things having been taken care while the rest took care of itself, there came a sudden sense of emptiness. In retrospect my life was no different from most people except things were accelerated a little when I was much younger  with regards to starting a family.

...but by now,this led to things of interests and hobbies accumulated along the way becoming seemingly distant. Any purpose in all of those have paled and it only gets "less important" each day. In layman speak, most just call it part of the aging process. While its not untrue but what had led up to such a state?

Until I "re-discovered" the importance of health, I have no idea how and what to do, or rather a lot of knowledge from my past was buried until I started digging them out again. 

Just knew I had to start somewhere... and so came all the miles and miles of running since Apr 2020 until I discovered that didn't do any good for strength and sarcopenia, which led up to the present day of consistent resistance training. Knowledge on nutrition was more of an "update" from my base in Biology/ Physiology from before.

Everyday became a routine of learning a little bit more from whatever I could scour on the web and talking to others. Then reflecting on all the new things learned, combining, discarding as necessary.

A distillation process. And a never ending one too as new science and data emerges that often adds to doubts and confusion, something I have come to embrace that we must admit and be able to accept changes as new information comes about to debunk what was "right" in the past or still yet not fully unknown then.  

Don't let Ego get in the way and it's not about swallowing one's pride to admit being wrong in the first place. It's just science's way of working.

The other part is even if something is true and correct-- it may not apply to everyone as we are all born and built differently. This led me to keep experimenting to see how close I fall into those new knowledge and generally everything about health, nutrition and fitness.

But enough-- the key thing was it led me to my current thoughts and where it stands in the classic ikigai diagram...

I can't fill in every sector... for now the above is the best that can be populated from my own thoughts and experience. "My "ikigai"  now is somewhat-- off centered and top bias. The bottom half isn't really "relevant" or in sync with the whole concept.

 To start filling in the rest... is another more detailed diagram below:

a) What we/you can be PAID FOR: It was never about financial gains but I do have thoughts now to be a certified trainer and go part or even full time eventually after retirement. To specialize in being a trainer for seniors, being one myself by then. Sort of a "right person to do the job"

b) What the world NEEDS: Ties in with the above

c) What we/you are good at: This one still has me stumped on both diagrams. I seriously cannot think of myself as being "good" at any one thing. Dare not make that sort of claim.

Satisfaction but feeling of no positive impact to the world: Self satisfaction and having seen improvement over time in the things learned and done is definitely inarguable. Acknowledging others and subsequently seeing others come out to also do like wise, personal sharing and seeing others benefit from  knowledge and lifestyle change indicates a certain level of positive impact to the world.

Comfortable but feeling of emptiness: Juggling with other aspects of life-- its inevitable that I question myself if its all worthwhile to pursue while putting in the kind of discipline needed in this ongoing quest for a purpose even if it's the usual mantra of staying fit and healthy.

Excitement but feeling of uncertainty: Very much tied to the above but I'm trying to stay neutral to avoid falling into the negative realm

Delight and fullness but without pay: As summed up in the first diagram

Profession and Vocation: If this is linked to the job I do-- there is none associated as the current "ikigai" quest is a very personnel one that doesn't relate to the actual job I'm doing. Apart from sharing my knowledge of health and fitness with colleagues-- just as I do with friends and the world at large.

 

I think this journey will go on for quite a while with further distillation of my thoughts on ikigai but the important thing is to keep sight of a reason for being and living that would include dealing with daily stress, uncertainty and strife.