Doing something we love, doing something we’re good at, doing something that helps the world, and doing something that makes us money. I’ve circled back to the concept of Ikigai a few times, and I think that as a simplistic, transferable, and universal ideology, it is one of the most individualized, structured, yet open guides in the search for happiness.

In this day and age, the ability to simply exit society to live “off-grid” is not really a tangible option. Everyone needs to integrate life with responsibility, the economic structure, and societal expectations, which, from a fundamental point of view, I think are rooted in the greater good for all.

Finding our Ikigai is not a straightforward task, and I believe many seek the answers but never find them. This may be for a variety of reasons; however, I think most commonly it is because the search is usually an externally charged pursuit, a pursuit of mirroring success, or perceived success in society that we think we need to fulfil it. In order for us to find our Ikigai, we must first understand ourselves, and that search begins inside of us. Once we have a deeper understanding of who we are and what we truly enjoy, we can more deeply evaluate what we’re good at and subsequently try to monetize it.

It's not an easy journey, and one I'm traversing at this present moment, yet the outcome is apparent. There are many twists and turns along the way, and although there are guides, or more so, profound interpretations of individual pursuits on the same path. Pursuits that have bear fruit, and resulted in achieving the desired result, there is no guide to each of our own journeys. Learning to understand and accept this concept contributes greatly to our individualism and subsequent success in our own search for happiness.

We are all searching for something, usually purpose and fulfilment; the search for understanding of what this all means and what it’s all about. Everyone’s search is unique, and the answers to the questions we seek are unique too. However, the idea or concept of happiness forms a core objective. The ability to find meaningful connections with ourselves, other humans, and the world around us creates a base foundation, learning to understand ourselves helps develop the questions, once we understand our own questions we can seek the answers, and if we are fortunate enough, we will find those answers and achieve our Ikigai.

Thanks,

Dean