Ikigai (生き甲斐) is a Japanese concept that means "a reason for being." The word "ikigai" is usually used to indicate the source of value in one's life or the things that make one's life worthwhile.
A sense of purpose is the foundation for all personal growth and by necessity it shifts as we age. Education and family and career are consuming in our early lives. I was lucky enough to be a non-employed Mom and volunteered at my daughter’s schools (yes, even a bit in high school!). Then we enjoyed our empty nest and global travel and learning to both be retired.
Responding to shifts in focus is part of normal aging although it seems in America, many seniors feel depressed and isolated. Humans need social interaction and brain stimulus. Our society needs to provide more positivity to aging. When you have purpose, and people around to share your issues and ideas, that can bring more happiness.
The effects of this positive attitude, and evidence of the role elders play in Japan, is visible throughout the nation. When you walk around Japanese communities, you don't just see young people walking to school or work. You see just as many older people on the streets. Aging is embedded in everyday life.
Sure, we may walk slower, lose pigment in our hair, have cancers frozen off our faces. All of this is part of the circle of life. I think my grandsons will benefit by having an oldster in their everyday life. They ask questions and I answer them (bunions were a topic yesterday).
This is a big reason why I volunteer with WLLO Village. Kids and grandkids get busier and busier with their sense of purpose and sometimes forget to talk to their oldsters every day. Mainly just listen! Some oldsters go days without speaking to others. They forget we would like to be invited out of our four walls, even just for coffee or a drive.
Let’s learn from our Japanese friends how they manage to live so much longer than other nations.
You and my granny-nanny niece both have a sense of purpose in helping to raise the next generation. I can't image loneliness being an issue with either one of you. The Japanese have a different mindset when it comes to valuing and respecting their elderly. Americans can/would learn from them.
ReplyDeleteI'm working to make a little difference in valuing our oldsters. Just because we LOOK old, doesn't mean we are old on the inside.
DeleteTHANKS for reading!
It is sad that with the way medicine has advanced people are living longer, but often the quality of life is so poor here in America no matter how many quantities of days they have. There are things and ways to extend lives but then those lives are often meaningless if not able to be shared with others. I do like this Japanese concept. I do like the stories I've seen where they had opened up day cares at senior citizen facilities and the seniors get to help out with the kids. Everyone, no matter what their age, needs a purpose and needs to feel like they are needed, wanted, and respected.
ReplyDeletebetty
I so agree that we need a purpose! At every age. Slowly but surely oldsters in the USA are being more cherished ....
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