Have you ever heard of ikigai? or h’oponopono? These are not just complicated terms to roll out of your tongue. They are life lessons or moral practices worldwide to ensure that you lead a good life.
While a good life counts as earning good money or saying leading a luxurious life, it is not so always. And it is also not the only way to live life! Let’s find out some of the life lessons that these countries teach us.
Japan’s Ikigai
Ikigai is nothing but a person’s reason for living. According to Japanese culture, every person may have one. But you need to dig deep into your souls to come up with your purpose of living. Iki means being alive and kai means something that bears fruit. The Japanese may find ikigai in various things, from finding their goal of finding joy in work.
This philosophy on life is what helps the Japanese people to do their best at work. Also, people in Japan find happiness in the work they do. There’s nothing called a small job. Every job is important. A key takeaway here, find your purpose in life. You will find it easier to work to the best of your ability and feel valued.
Denmark’s Hygge
The pronunciation of Hygge is hue-guh. It’s the subtle quality of life, that defines the essence of Danish life. Their sunny disposition helps them tide through the dark and gloomy sunless time of the year. Denmark tides through 17 hours of sunless days in winter with the way of life of Hygge or a feeling of coziness or comfortable lassitude. Hygge helps you slow down and concentrate on the finer aspects of life.
For instance, you will be able to enjoy a cozy dinner with friends without staying fixating on your mobile or work. It is the subtle art of doing nothing and yet enjoying every moment that life offers you. It is about when cocooning yourself against the unpleasant or difficult things in life. You can also create a cozy atmosphere at home to endure what may be difficult to endure, like 17 hours of darkness in the Danes case.
Fare la bella figura of Italy
Fare La Bella’s literal meaning is to ‘make a beautiful figure’ or make a good impression. An outsider perceives an Italian as smartly dressed and well-groomed, but it goes beyond the exterior. This is more of a way of living and includes everything right from customs and manners and behaving with a stranger’s trace and tact. When you present yourself well before the world, and the world will similarly reward you. You can follow it too, be the best version of yourself to lead a healthy and happier life.
Ho’oponopono of Hawaii
Ho’oponopono is discussing problems and finding solutions for the problems in spiritual and mindful behavior. It is a great way of setting right the injured relationships. The word means to put things right, to tidy up, and include mental cleansing.
Everyone in the family practices ho’oponopono, right from friends, family, or relatives, and they work together to bring things back on the right path. The act of Ho’oponopono involves discussing with the family and review every issue respectfully and spiritually.
It does not usually require you to have a problem to come together and resolve it. It is dealing with everyday problems, in a level-headed and practical way. You can practice it too, with your family and communicate with them in a safe environment.
It can even make you more receptive to the feelings of others and non-judgemental. Start incorporating these heart-heart discussions with your kids and teach them to speak out, hold discussions, or pule’ohana. You will bridge the family gap and build an environment of trust and understanding in the family.
Gezelligheid from The Netherlands
The Dutch word gezelligheid means a sense of well-being that goes beyond the language barriers. It is a feeling of concentrating on the finer and less appreciated things in life, such as watching a film with your family, reading by your bedside, and just indulging in daily mundane practices that can bring joy back to your family. Come to think of it. It sounds pretty effortless. Identify the things you like, which gives you happiness and make it part of your daily routine. It helps back the feeling of coziness, comfort, and togetherness into your lives.
Where do you live? Does your country sport a similar lifestyle mantra? Do share with us, if you do!