Ikigai

Author: Hector Garcia Puigcerver

Genre: Self-Help

Rating: 3 out of 5

Pages: 20

Date Started: 4 April 2022

Date Finished: 4 April 2022

I had heard a lot of good reviews about this book from my friends and I was curious to see what the book was about. I also had gotten the book from the library a long time ago, and somehow missed the chance to read it!

The people of Japan believe that everyone

has an ikigai – a reason to jump out of bed each morning. And according to the residents of the Japanese island of Okinawa – the world’s longest-living people – finding it is the key to a longer and more fulfilled life. Inspiring and comforting, this book will give you the life-changing tools to uncover your personal ikigai. It will show you how to leave urgency behind, find your purpose, nurture friendships, and throw yourself into your passions. (Excerpt from Goodreads)

This was an audiobook, and I really liked the way the book is narrated. I liked the concept and the message of the book. Although the book talks about longevity, the concept of living fully and living a meaningful life is captivating. Though some of the points were repeated from the others I have heard, I felt that the filler points about tai-chi, yoga poses, and exercises were not necessary.

Favorite lines from the book:

• It is not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.

• When you have a clear purpose, no one can stop you.

• Happiness is always determined by your heart.

• The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

• Rituals give us clear rules and objectives, which help us enter a state of flow.

• To live a long time you need to do three things: exercise to stay healthy, eat well, and spend time with people.