Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life

by Héctor García

▪ Don’t look at any kind of screen for the first hour you’re awake and the last hour before you go to sleep.

Happiness is in the doing, not in the result.

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius said that the things we love are like the leaves of a tree: They can fall at any moment with a gust of wind.

A complementary Japanese concept is that of ichi-go ichi-e, which could be translated as “This moment exists only now and won’t come again.”

The ten rules of ikigai

1. Stay active; don’t retire.

Take it slow.

3. Don’t fill your stomach.

Surround yourself with good friends.

Get in shape for your next birthday.

6. Smile.

7. Reconnect with nature.