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.
