“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.”
Epictetus,
Are you Antifragile? Do you have your Ikigai all set and shiny? If you don’t know what I am talking about, skip to the end of the post where I have a quick summary of the book Ikigai.
I am taking part in a blogging challenge by Martha and Jeanine about creating cornerstone content. Today’s theme was content that motivates.
I like slow living, the slow life in a small town is something I love. Growing up in the hustle and bustle of a big city I enjoy the advantages city living brings. But now I want a chance to breathe, slow down and feel the life I have built. I am sure wherever I live,I will continue living slowly.
But I had doubts about my thought .Am I right?
Is it a good idea?
Why would slow be good?
I guess we forget about the tortoise in our race to be the hare.
Burning candles at both ends was something that took a toll on my health. Two years back my husband and I, took a decision to take back control. I was afraid, that without slowing down, I wouldn’t be around to see my little one grow up. This focus on mortality happens when you bring a little life to this world. You also want to find the best way to put down roots and also build up.
It’s an interesting thing I realized as a parent. Never before did I think slow was me. But it’s good that I found out this side of me. Because that’s why these COVID times are teaching times.
It’s a way to prepare our minds to stay calm and in the moment.Stay thankful.Take good care of our health.
My idea behind starting a website
When I joined the Medical education service of the Government of West Bengal,I knew it was a transferable job.Both being in transferable jobs as doctors with a nine month old was not going to be easy.
But we were lucky to be posted at the same Medical college for the first six years of our service.
That’s when I realized, it would be a long time before a physically settled location would be possible for me. But from childhood I wanted stability. Economic and emotional stability.How could I achieve that being rudderless? The transfers were often random and not in family-friendly places?
It was not something I knew what to do about. But to keep my mind calm and give my sense of roots a firm holding, I started my digital home. It was healthwealthbridge.com
Naming the Website
In Hinduism two of our favorite Goddesses are Maa Laxmi and Maa Saraswati. They represent wealth-wellbeing and education respectively.
It’s often confusion about what to focus on in life. But the truth, is you need a blessing from both of them. But above all, you need to keep on working. Not because you have to, but because you want to.
My website is a lot about Health, a dash about wealth, and the essential bridge of education making it all possible.
By now you may be wondering what happened to Ikigai? This post is dedicated to motivation for doing and the Ikigai. For it to work best you must read the book. But if you want to get started right away the following part is just right for you.
My favorite parts from the book Ikigai (Quick Book Summary)
The word Ikigai– A reason for being.A reason to live.
A Japanese concept of ichi-go ichi-e, translated as
“This moment exists only now won’t come again.”
To remain focused on the life I have now. The work I am doing now.The people in my life now. Life needs us to appreciate it. Because it’s a gift.
Being Antifragile: I really liked this word. Adversaries making you stronger is a cool concept. Gaining from chaos and just growing stronger, is a quality we better develop to survive in this. Qualities you need to develop are resilience, and Persistence, and patience.
Having multiple sources of Income: This is a personal favorite since forever.Don’t put all eggs in one basket when it comes to ways to earn.
Stay active Don’t retire : At least not traditionally. Its crucial for mind-body health. The type of work should be adjusted according to age.This is the reason why I like FIRE and this book so much too.
Take it slow :Its a super simple way to embrace life.
Reconnect with nature: Much needed for wellbeing. I can vouch for green balconies and indoor plants being the best gift you can give yourself .
Smile:Instant mood booster.
Be thankful: It’s the only way to stay blessed. I have a whole series on Thankful Thursdays.
Remember your Ikigai:There’s no other way to do better and stay happy.
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr:
Is there any other way to live than with Grace and Ikigai?
How do you live ?Let me know in the comments below.
Nice to know about Ikigai.
Your illustration for Ikigai is super-cute. I just had to tell you. 🙂
I definitely want to read more about Ikigai (in fact, have a book in my TBR that is waiting to be read).. in the meantime, loved this quick primer on the same..
and in case you have not yet seen my post check it out for your nomination for the award!
What an interesting blog. I need to read about Ikigai and learn to slow down a bit.
Thanks for the lesson!
Thanks for sharing about Ikigai! I enjoyed learning a bit more about it. And it both encouraged and motivated me to stay focused on the present, instead of worrying about the future.