The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way

by Héctor García

When we ask this question, we open the floodgates to the creative flow we need to unblock ourselves and step into a world full of ichigo ichie. Let’s look at some examples of how to use this question in three situations that often make people feel indifferent to life. 1. I’ve been bored by my job for a while and don’t know what to do. What would happen if I took a leave of absence or saved enough to live on for a few months and allowed myself to explore other possibilities? 2. My partner and I are constantly arguing. Sometimes we even avoid speaking to each other so that we don’t have to fight. What would happen if we played the game Island of Harmony, which challenges you not to think or say anything negative—either to complain or to rebuke each other—for as long as the session lasts? 3. I’m having a crisis; I feel unsatisfied with my life, but I don’t know why. What would happen if I allowed myself to be someone else, or even many other people, for the next few months?