Book Of The Week – Ikigai by Hector Garcia

Hello, fellow bookworms!

When you discover the joy of reading books, you realize you have found joy in life. We all search for joy in life. We all search for our purpose. In a way, we all search for our ikigai. And speaking of, today we have a great book for you to read up – Ikigai by Hector Garcia. Ikigai is a Japanese term for “the purpose of your life”, something that drives you out of bed each morning, and something that makes you enjoy life more. But what exactly is ikigai about anyway?

Why should you read Ikigai by Hector Garcia?

It is a simple joyful book filled with wisdom, but more importantly also with the how-to part of things. Hector's research kicks off by telling you that all over the world there are small places called the “green zones” where people live significantly longer lives.

Our ikigai is different for all of us, but one thing we have in common is that we are all searching for meaning.

Hector Garcia Puigcerver, Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life

One such place is the island of Okinawa in Japan, where he sets out to learn the secret to longevity. In this small village, everyone is older than ninety, and many of its residents have lived for more than 105 years. Although it seems like a long time and it might seem like a depressing little village, you soon find out that it doesn’t seem like it at all.

It is much more important to have a compass pointing to a concrete objective than to have a map.

Hector Garcia Puigcerver, Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life

Everyone who lives there regardless of their age is so vibrant and filled with life like they are having the time of their lives. Everyone seems content with their lives, and works harder than ever, not because they have to, but because they want to. They go to interview people and learn about their ikigai, and how they found sense and joy in their lives.

Each interview provides more insight, into how simple an ikigai can be, and how important it is. They also showcase habits, eating patterns, exercises and thought patterns of the people in the village, and how they live a much different, more harmonious way of life than anyone could imagine.

There is nothing wrong with enjoying life’s pleasures as long as they do not take control of your life as you enjoy them

Hector Garcia Puigcerver, Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

For me, it was a book that I purchased intuitively and wasn’t sure what to expect. What I have found in this book, was not only helpful, but it also helped me change a lot of my habits for the better. It is a great, fast read, it’s not difficult, but it provides great insights!

Life is not a problem to be solved. Just remember to have something that keeps you busy doing what you love while being surrounded by the people who love you.

Hector Garcia Puigcerver, Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life