The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – Ikigai (生き甲斐).

Read Ikigai. If hygge is the art of doing nothing, ikigai is the art of doing something & doing it with supreme focus, compassion & joy. A beautiful guide to the Japanese concept of ikigai. As per the Japanese, everyone has an ikigai – a reason for being. Finding it is the key to a happier life. A perfect place where passion, mission, vocation & profession intersect.

Incredible interviews of wise 100 year olds. Ikigai reveals the real reasons for their longevity, peace & happiness – how they balance time for themselves, home & work. How they foster connections, collaboration & community? And, their best kept secret – how they find their ikigai for fulfilment & happiness? Offers simple, practical tools to help us discover our own ikigai. An inspiring read.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – Ikigai (生き甲斐).

Ikigai is a Japanese concept that means “a reason for being” or “the reason we wake up in the morning.” Our Ikigai lies at the intersection of four things – what we love (passion), what we are good at (profession / skills), what our world needs (mission) & what we can be paid for (vocation). When all these four overlap, we can find our Ikigai. “Your Ikigai is at the intersection of what you are good at & what you love doing” – Héctor García. Purpose is the reason we journey. Our purpose isn’t hidden, it’s in the things we keep coming back to. Passion is the fire that lights our way.

Finding our Ikigai can bring a sense of purpose, greater happiness or fulfilment, increased motivation & greater mental or emotional well-being. Happiness can come from small, simple pleasures, not just big wins. The philosophy of Ikigai goes beyond just finding a career or passion. It’s about finding our flow to live a meaningful, balanced & fulfilling life, each day. Ikigai connects with the idea of Kaizen – constant, small improvements. “Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together” – Vincent van Gogh.

Success feels empty without purpose, but even a small sense of purpose feels like success. Purpose inspires us to stay curious, to learn new skills, to find joy in the ordinary experiences, to contribute to the world we live in. “Those who have a why to live, can bear with almost any how” – Friedrich Nietzsche. Ikigai is not a destination, but a way of life. What feels natural to us is often our greatest gift to the world.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – Rén (仁).

The Analects are a fascinating anthology of the wonderful words & the incredible ideas of Confucius, gathered by his loyal disciples over time. They espouse the importance of education, the value of celebrating the qualities & the virtue of Rén (仁). Confucius provides a unique code by which we can live a beautiful life, based on the ideals of social responsibility, spirituality, respect, humility, gratitude & compassion. Qualities as relevant & sought-after today, as they were 2,500 years ago. His life’s principles still continue to shape & inspire the Eastern philosophy, politics & culture.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – Rén (仁).

Rén (仁) is the foundational virtue in Confucian philosophy. “To be humane is to be human.” Translated as benevolence, humanness or human-heartedness. It represents kindness, empathy & universal love toward others. The golden rule is treating every living being with humanity, compassion, fairness & respect, promoting a harmonious society. Empathetic reciprocity is the heart of Rén. Social harmony can be developed through reflection, education, self-awareness, leadership & discipline. “To practice five things under all circumstances constitutes perfect virtue – gravity, generosity of the soul, sincerity, earnestness & kindness.”

Kindness begins with a quiet heart
Seeing another as a part of oneself
In gentle deeds the world is healed
This is the path of Ren.

Not in power, not in fame
But in compassion softly shown
The one who walks the path of Ren
Makes every heart a home.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – sakura (spring). 

Cherry Blossoms & Flowers Of Japan is a stunning collection that captures the essence of Japan’s beautiful & colourful floral landscape. A tribute to the country’s iconic cherry blossoms at lovely locations, which paint the entire nation in a beautiful pink hue during springtime. Whether we are a lover of flowers, a Japan enthusiast or simply appreciate awesome photography, it’s an incredible addition to our coffee table or bookshelf. Wonderful knowledge sharing of the most beautiful places to experience the surreal spring season in Japan.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – sakura (spring). 

Allie Esiri’s gorgeous collection, A Poem for Every Spring Day. Vivid & vibrant spring-time scenes from the first sighting of blossoms to Easter. Perfectly dazzles with an array of familiar favourites & remarkable new discoveries of poems. Beautiful verses by William Wordsworth, Christina Rossetti, John Donne, Emily Dickinson, alongside Ted Hughes, John Agard, Maya Angelou, Wendy Cope, John Cooper Clarke & Carol Ann Duffy. An absolutely soul-enhancing read.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – sakura (spring). 

The earth exhales a gentle sigh
As winter’s shadows fade away
Warm colours bloom where cold winds lie
And fragile hopes awaken with the day.

Pink blossoms drift on playful air
New sounds are stitched in every tree
The sky grows wide, the light more fair
As dreams unfold effortlessly.

Each step is touched by tender green
Each moment hums with silent cheer
In every bud, a wish is seen
In every dawn, a promise clear.

Spring arrives with an open heart
A thousand songs the robins sing
Each heartbeat feels a little clear
In the gentle rise of spring.

Spring, you dress the world anew
But, more than blooms or skies so blue
You tell my soul one simple truth
That every spring begins with you.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – sakura (spring). 

The spectacular season of beautiful buds & the breath-taking cherry blossoms has long been an inspiration for classical composers. The arrival of the delicate cherry blossom signals the onset of spring, bringing hope, renewal & a sense of rejuvenation after the long winter months. Amidst the gentle breeze, the cherry blossoms dance, painting the world in the hues of tranquil pink & white. An ode to the fragrant & charming cherry tree. Pink perfection.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – sakura (spring). 

“From heaven, it descends like sakura petals drop” – Issa Kobayachi. “The significance of the exquisite cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. Cherry blossoms represent the fragility & the wonder of life. The Japanese have heralded the arrival of the cherry blossoms because they symbolise the ephemeral beauty of life. “How many things they call to mind, these cherry blossoms!” – Bashō Matsuo.

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The blog will pick a word of the week, to share & explore the selected word. Here’s an expression for the word – sakura (spring). 

Lines Written In Early Spring. A fine example of nature poetry. Daffodils. A host of golden daffodils dancing with the breeze share the beauty, harmony & warmth of nature. Spring. Celebrates the wonder, surprise & joy of this gorgeous season. Spring. A powerful evocation of the grace & elegance of the spring season. A Light Exists In Spring. Beautifully captures the way that spring slowly appears in our consciousness like a hopeful light in the distance. 

Spring. Delightfully describes the way that life begins all over again in spring, with a vibrant scenery. Tulips. An exciting & exuberent ode to spring. Lilacs. A charming classic. Exceptional poetic expressions that highlight the gratitude & grandeur of the spring season.

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