A Little Book of Japanese Contentments Quotes

“Finding contentment and happiness in your surroundings is a massive contributor to your overall happiness.

One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger. Japanese proverb

Kaachu fuugetsu most commonly translates as learning about yourself through experiencing the beauty of nature.

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists. Japanese proverb”
― Erin Niimi Longhurst, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More

“If a man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.”
― Erin Niimi Longhurst, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More

“The attitudes and ideology behind the concept of kintsugi are characterized by a willingness and increased flexibility to accept the things that cannot be changed.”
― Erin Niimi Longhurst, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More

“Friendship is also about being able to have those difficult conversations! Your closest friends are just that because they’re not afraid to call you out – and you should do the same for them. If you care about a person, you have a responsibility to hold them accountable (and they you); ultimately, it makes for a stronger bond.”
― Erin Niimi Longhurst, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More

“my ikigai richer and more meaningful. None of this is passively attained, though. All relationships require a lot of effort and good communication; sustaining work and home requires compromise; and negativity, self-doubt, and hardships are all facts of life. But your ikigai is what propels you forward in the darkest”
― Erin Niimi Longhurst, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More

“The main thing that resonated with me was that while all our companies might evolve to offer different services over time, the overall vision that took us there, and that we were trying to attain, wouldn’t change. That really stuck with me. And the same applies to your ikigai as well: Just because you know what drives you doesn’t mean you should stay in your comfort zone and focus on that solely.
It’s something you can come back to, and you need to be challenged and push the boundaries. But having a goal and a key driver is important. Think of ikigai as the fuel to your motor – you need to make the engine run.”
― Erin Niimi Longhurst, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More

“iwanu ga hana,”
― Erin Niimi Longhurst, A Little Book of Japanese Contentments: Ikigai, Forest Bathing, Wabi-sabi, and More