Having 60 years of making new year’s resolutions behind me, gets pretty old, and I am getting pretty old myself.  So I decided to leave my usual process behind me. I always resolved to lose weight, and exercise more. Here it is two days after the new year and I am inspired to follow the Japanese secrets to a long and happy life: ikigai.
The book, written by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, takes research from Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa holds first place among the world’s center of longevity.  In the northern part of the island , Ogimi, people eat diets rich in vegetables and tofu served on small plates and practice ikigai.
“Here are the 10 rules which were distilled from the wisdom of the long-living residents of Ogimi:

1. Stay active; don’t retire. Keep your purpose in life.
2. Take it slow. Leave urgency behind.
3. Don’t fill your stomach. Eat until you’re only 80 percent full.
4. Surround yourself with good friends.
5. Get in shape for your next birthday.
6. Smile.
7. Reconnect with nature.
8. Give thanks.
9. Live in the moment.
10. Follow your ikigai.  There is a passion inside you, a unique talent that gives meaning to your days and drives you to share the best of yourself until the very end.
Our intuition and curiosity are very powerful internal compasses to help us connect with our ikigai.  Follow those things you enjoy, and get away from or change those you dislike.  Be led by your curiosity, and keep busy by doing things that fill you with meaning and happiness. It doesn’t need to be a big thing: we might find meaning in being good parents or in helping our neighbors.”
I have friends that are struggling to find purpose, perhaps ikagai is enough.  Being in flow—that time when you find your mind focused, you are free from worry ;living in the present.  Time when the hours fly by. Those times when you are not the one controlling the activity or task you’re doing.  It feels like the task is leading you.  That pleasant state is to be treasured and is key to what you chose to do that you can become passionate about.  Time to write, do music, write, play a game…..to be in that peaceful place in which you feel as if YOU are gone—your mind is at rest and your ego fades.
As I reviewed the list, I noted that eating less and exercising more are still a biggie for longevity- wouldn’t you know.  Here I go again breaking my resolution for 2018. However, I don’t feel so discouraged because ikigali practice is something I experience.  I experience it when I write my column, when I do my art, when I swim and when I play my games.  Perhaps this year, I can find an exercise that serves that ikagai and eat only until I am at 80 percent full.  Tune in next year.
Thank you residents of Ogimi for sharing your wisdom. Happy New Year to all!

Ellen Blaufarb is a Marriage Family Therapist.

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