The “Keep Learning” Entry

This weekend, I’ve been reading the book, Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles.?

Ikigai is a Japanese word that refers to a person’s reason for living or plainly, purpose.?

The book describes ikigai as the point where mission, passion, profession and vacation meet.?

The book delves into research done in the blue zones of the world; the places with the oldest living populations. These zones include areas like Okinawa in Japan.

Among the many secrets of their long life go beyond their diet and exercise, to their mindset: that they never stop learning, growing and working.?

Research done by both authors show that these blue zone areas where people keep learning and never really retire tend to have populations that live longer than areas where retirement is quite early.?

Basically, people that have a reason for living and keep pursuing that reason tend to live longer.?

You have probably heard the quote,?

“Stop learning, start dying”

Well, this is the literal manifestation.?

In Okinawa, where the concept of Ikigai is part of daily life, people remain engaged in their communities and continue to contribute to society even as they grow older.?

Instead of retirement, they shift to activities that bring them joy and fulfillment, whether it’s gardening, teaching, or helping their neighbors. The point is, they stay engaged, curious, and they keep their minds sharp

They see their purpose as not tied to a job but to contributing to the world around them.

What a beautiful approach to life!

Now, you might be thinking, “But I’ve been out of school for years, how am I supposed to start learning again?”?

Well, I have some good news: You don’t have to enroll in a university or start cramming for exams to keep learning.?

Learning can be as simple as picking up a new hobby, reading a book on a topic you’ve always been curious about, or even having a conversation with someone who sees the world differently than you do.?

It’s about staying open, staying engaged, and never letting your mind sit idle for too long.

Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn to play the drums, read a set of books or learn sign language. Go for it!?

The goal isn’t to become a master but to keep your keep expanding your brain with new challenges and experiences.

This approach encourages us to keep growing in every stage of our lives. No matter how old we are, we can always learn and contribute to the society at large.?

As we grow older, our roles might change, but that’s okay. Embrace that change.

The key to a long, fulfilling life is to keep evolving, keep learning, and keep finding new ways to contribute. Your ikigai might shift over time, and that’s a good thing. It means you’re still growing, still curious, and still very much alive.

So, let’s all learn from Okinawa Island. Instead of dreaming of the day we can finally stop working, let’s open ourselves up to new adventures in learning we can embark on. Let’s keep learning, keep growing, and keep contributing to the world around us, no matter what stage of life we’re in.

Balance this with a good diet, exercise and a strong relationship with God, and we are in for a long, good time.

P.S: in this newsletter, I’ve managed to give you a random fact and tell you the book I’m currently reading in one go. You're welcome??

Have a beautiful week!

See you next Sunday.

Your trusty growth partner,

Dee?