Since I left a lot of my work responsibilities (thanks to this pandemic), I have been searching for what is next. I feel uneasy not having day-to-day responsibilities. I know a lot of people strive to be in the position I am in now with everything going on in the world but it’s not that great tbh. It’s a lot of free-time but I feel like I’m wasting time. I started reading a lot with this new found time off. Re-reading books that kick started me with the entrepreneurial mindset way back in the day. Carnegie, Hill, Manson, Brown, and others who were my imaginary mentors. Funny enough this time, the books didn’t have the same impact as it did 5-8 years ago.
Last week, I went over to a buddy’s place to play video games because we both needed some face-to-face social interaction. He couldn’t get his TV working and while he was troubleshooting, I picked up this book he had called Ikigai written by a software engineer and a Spanish native Japanese guy. I read through a few chapters and that sent me down this crazy rabbit hole since. I was youtubing origins of Japanese perspectives, life discussions with Hayao Myazaki and Shigeru Miyamoto. I learned 7 simple introspective words that basically lead the life of most Japanese career artists. I wanna share them and see if they mean anything to you.
Ikigai Discovver your purpose in life.
Determine the reason you wake up each morning. Choose something that aligns with your strengths, passions, and the needs of the world. This is what gives life meaning.
Be not afraid of going slowly. Be afraid of standing still.
Shikita ga nai Let go of what you cannot change.
Recognize there are some things that are just out of our control, and that’s okay. Let go and focus on what you can change.
He who runs after two hares will catch neither
Wabi-sabi Find peace in imperfection
Recognize that nothing in life is perfect, including yourself and others. Insteead of striving for flawlessness, find joy in the imperfections that make life unique.
We’re fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance
Gaman Preserve your dignity during tough times.
Show emotional maturity and self control, even when faced with difficult challenges. Remember to be patient, resilient, and understanding.
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest good intention
Oubaitori Don’t compare yourself to others.
Everyone has a different timeline and unique path. It’s important to focus on your own progress, rather than trying to measure yourself against others.
One kind word can last three winter months
Beginning is easy, continuing is hard
Shu-Ha-Ri “When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready the teacher will disappear” — Tao Te Ching
It is the way of thinking about how to learn and master a technique. There are three stages of acquiring knowledge:
Shu: Learn the basics by following the teaching of one master. Imitating the work of great masters alaos falls in this stage
Ha: Start experimenting, learn from masters, and integrate the learning into the practice.
Ri: This stage focuses on innovation and the ability to apply your learning to a variety of situations.
