Finding my Ikigai

Have you read the book IKIGAI by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles? It says that the people of Japan believe that everyone has an ikigai – a reason to jump out of bed each morning.

It talks about having a purpose in life. We all need to discover our purpose and at times may require assistance of a life coach. When we find our purpose, then we become passionate about our work. I had found my purpose long back even before I discovered Ikigai. I loved transforming people and I had this wonderful opportunity of being a teacher whereby I could transform willing students. This transformation gave me so much of pure happiness, that I made it like a mission in my life.  I did not see myself merely as a teacher who walks into a class and completes the syllabus. I wanted to instill confidence in my students that they were every bit capable of flourishing in the big bad global world. This meant that I had to observe them as individuals, point out their strengths and weaknesses, polish them up and get them ready professionally to face the world.   I loved transforming people and I was good at it (PASSION) , I loved it and that was what the world needed (MISSION), I was paid for what I was good at (PROFESSION), and I was paid for doing what the world needed (VOCATION). Blend it all and hey presto …. I have my ikigai.  And a reason to jump out of bed every day.