The meaning of life is ikigai
Find your ikigai zone of genius
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“Self-expression is the dominant necessity of human nature.” — Dale Carnegie
What makes life “good”? Not just surviving, not just existing—but actually living. The one concept I’ve consistently found useful is ikigai. It's a Japanese word that roughly means “a reason for being.” But to me, it’s more than that.
It’s that quiet, steady pull toward what makes you come alive.
It’s your why of life.
As Viktor Frankl said, “Those who have a ‘why’ to live can bear with almost any ‘how.’” And ikigai is that why. You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need something that matters enough to get you out of bed in the morning.
Everyone has a their own ikigai, even if they haven’t figured it out yet.
Find your ikigai zone of genius
“Be led by your curiosity, and keep busy by doing things that fill you with meaning and happiness,’ says Hector Garcia Puigcerver, author of Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life.
“Ikigai” is a Japanese concept that roughly translates to “a reason for being” or “a sense of purpose.”
It represents the intersection of your curiosities, what you are good at, what the world needs from you, and what you can be paid for.
The “Zone of Genius,” on the other hand, is a term coined by Gay Hendricks in his book “The Big Leap.” It refers to the activities you are uniquely talented at and bring you the most joy and fulfilment.
When these two concepts are combined, they represent the sweet spot where your passions, talents, purpose, and financial stability all intersect. This is where you can find your true calling and experience a deep sense of fulfilment and satisfaction.
Finding your Ikigai Zone of Genius requires introspection, self-self-awarness and a willingness to try new things.It may take time, but the rewards of discovering and living in this zone can be immeasurable.
Putting yourself out there and showing the world who you are can be scary. But the rewards are well worth the risk. When you’re living authentically, everything falls into place. You attract the right people, opportunities come your way, and you feel a sense of peace and contentment that’s hard to describe.
Self-expression helps you understand who you are, what you stand for, and what you want from life.
Insisting on self-expression is the greatest accomplishment
“Insist on yourself; never imitate. Your own gift you can offer with the cumulative force of a whole life’s cultivation, but of the adopted talent of another, you have only an extemporaneous, half possession,” says Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Whether through writing, painting, singing, dancing, or even cooking, expressing ourselves gives us purpose and fulfilment. When we express ourselves, we communicate our thoughts and emotions in a way that brings out the best in us. It allows us to connect with ourselves on a deeper level. Through self-expression, we can define who we are and what we stand for.
When we express ourselves, we connect with our inner selves and true nature. It leads to a better sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Expressing yourself is not just about doing things that bring you joy. It’s also about doing things that challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone. When you take risks and do things that scare you, you learn more about yourself and what you can do if you put yourself out there.
It’s an experience that builds confidence and resilience, essential qualities for success in life. “Without self-expression, life lacks spontaneity and joy. Without service to others, it lacks meaning and purpose,” says Laurence Boldt, a writer and lifetime student of Eastern philosophies.
Moreover, expressing ourselves is not just about creating something tangible. It’s also about how we show up in the world and interact with others.
Expressing ourselves can also help us to connect with others.
When we are authentic and true to ourselves, we inspire others to do the same. We create a ripple effect of positivity and authenticity that can transform the world around us. We build relationships and find common ground when we share our meaningful work with others. So, if you’re unsure about the meaning of your life, make time to explore your interests. What makes you come alive? What brings you joy? What makes you lose the sense of time?
Once you have identified your unique curiosities, find ways to express them daily.
It could be as simple as sharing your thoughts with a friend or as bold as starting your own side hustle. The important thing is that you take action and start living a life that truly expresses who you are.
Of course, expressing yourself isn’t always easy.
“It takes time to understand yourself, to go inside yourself and to question yourself and really take yourself to task. That’s self-expression,” says actor, comedian, and film producer John Leguizamo.
Apply the 4 questions rule
Your life will be meaningful if you find responses to the four questions of purpose, value, efficacy, and self-worth.
Purpose: What is the meaning of my life? What am I passionate about? What am I here to do?
Value: What do I value? What is important to me? What do I believe in?
Efficacy: Am I making a difference in the world? Am I using my talents and abilities to make a positive impact?
Self-worth: Do I believe in myself? Do I value myself? Do I feel good about myself?
When we can answer these questions, we can live a more meaningful, fulfilling, and satisfying life.
In conclusion, expressing yourself, defining yourself, building relationships, and other self-oriented activities are all integral parts of life that help us find meaning and purpose. The meaning of life is a subjective experience. However, doing things that express yourself is one of the most elements of a meaningful life.
When you take time to understand yourself and those around you, you open yourself to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
So, go ahead and express yourself, define yourself, build those relationships and engage in self-care activities — it’s all part of the journey towards a meaningful life. Remember what modern dancer and choreographer Martha Graham said, “There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique.”
Author Morgan Housel on the good life:
“A weird thing in life is that everyone strives for a good life because they think it will make them happy. But what actually brings happiness is the contrast between what you have now and whatever you were just doing.
The best drink you will ever taste is a glass of tap water when you’re thirsty. The best food you will ever eat is fast food when you’re starving. The best massage you will ever feel is sitting on a couch after a long run. The best sleep you will ever experience is when your newborn finally sleeps through the night.”
Philosopher Alan Watts on making mistakes:
“Regard yourself as a cloud, in the flesh, because you see, clouds never make mistakes. Did you ever see a cloud that was misshapen? Did you ever see a badly designed wave? No, they always do the right thing. But, if you will, treat yourself for a while as a cloud or a wave and realize that you can’t make a mistake whatever you do. Because even if you do something that appears totally disastrous, it will all come out in the wash somehow or another. Then through this capacity you will develop a kind of confidence. And through confidence you will be able to trust your own intuition.”
A word worth knowing
Jugaad – a colloquial Indian word to say ‘make do with what you have’. We rarely find ourselves in the perfect circumstances or environment to realise our ideas. Being able to jugaad helps us make the most out of every situation.
My NEW free books (or donate what you want)
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The little book of spiritual wisdom — The very best of spiritual teachers that might change your approach to life.
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Until Next Week,
Be Well.
Thomas
Postanly Weekly is a reader-supported smarter living newsletter. To support my work, you can upgrade to a paid subscription for $7 per month or $40 for a year. With a modest contribution, you’re not only helping keep Postanly Weekly going, you also get free instant access access to Thinking Toolbox (mental models for life) and Mental Wealth Toolbox (practical concepts for smarter decisions).
“If something burns your soul with purpose and desire, it’s your duty to be reduced to ashes by it. Any other form of existence will be yet another dull book in the library of life.”— Charles Bukowski
