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Experiencing Ikigai in Others

October 29, 2008 | Author: Matthew | Filed under: Martial Arts, Philisophical, ikigai, mindset

Ikigai is not necessarily a martial arts term. It’s very universal. Ikigai is a driving force; it’s what fuels a person with energy and optimism. It is purpose, and I experienced extraordinarily strong ikigai in two willful women just a few days ago.

If you recall in my last post, I spent a few days down in Miami Beach on business. That post ended with me on the beach and I didn’t really dive into what happened afterwards on the flight home…

Being a veteran of one whole flight, showing up at Miami Airport did not fill me with dread. In fact, it was dark out so I was looking forward to seeing the city lit up from 10,000 feet.

Boarding went smoothly, and as we took off, the view did not disappoint -

Periodically throughout the flight, from the first moment we sat down until we all departed, I chatted with two women who were seated next to me. They were roughly 55 and 65 years of age, but age is just a number – the stories they told suggested that I was sitting next to two very youthful spirits.

While Miami was my original destination, the two women were merely connecting through Miami to Philadelphia. They had previously been on an excursion through the rainforests of Peru and Urugauy.

Their trip was astounding. Landing in Uruguay, they found the airport flooded up to knee level (the plane landed “safely” but had to wade through the deeper water to get to the terminal). They had to carry their luggage on their shoulders in order to traverse the streaming water.

Later, while on their trek, they found themselves in one of the only hotels in the region with electricity. As luxurious as that was, they still had to walk up a flight of 70 steps every time they wanted to get clean water.

As we chatted back and forth about our recent trips, they both seemed amused by me. They gave slight chuckles and possessed glints in their eyes that said ‘very nice young man, but wait until you see more of the world!’

The older of the two (65) was carrying a unique handbag with stitchings of lamas and other native designs on it. I asked her about its origins, and she told me she had bought it in Peru. Turning the conversation away from herself so as not to seem self-involved, she then commented about how pretty the girl on the front of the airline magazine was (Mila Kunis). We joked about how I might have to read that article first.

Our conversation wasn’t forced; we merely traded thoughts periodically throughout the trip. Even after the plan had landed, the women joked about their excursion being ‘quite a trip’, and their enthusiasm caused people in the adjacent rows to smile and listen. We all wanted to hear a little bit more, but the flight was over.

These women possessed ikigai in travel. Their thirst for adventure gave them vitality and longevity that others in their age bracket could only wish for; not to mention boldness that would impress anyone of any age.

I didn’t get either of their names, and, unfortunately, I doubt they’ll ever know how much they impressed me!

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 and is filed under Martial Arts, Philisophical, ikigai, mindset. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Matthew

Actually that's not my picture, just a general one of miami from the sky.

Adam and Steve: Agreed! I know what both you guys mean.

Adam @ Low Tech Combat

Great story! I sometimes watch old people cross the road or walk slowly down the street and think... I wonder what they have done in their life? I wonder what amazing things they've seen and amazing places they've been to?

Some of them have truly amazing lives. Great post.

Foxy Citrus

I think you just got a glimpse at 65 year old me.

And what were you doing with your electronics on at less than 10,000 feet young man!? TSK TSK!

Martial Arts Mom

I didn't know what Ikigai meant. Now I do. See you- inspired just like those ladies. I hope when I get older people think of me that way instead of rolling their eyes at things I say. I guess I better start accumulating material now, huh? : )

Thanks for a fun post!

Steven Smith

Great story. Impressive women. My wife's mom is impressive like that. Mine, not so much. (Man, that's tough to say.)

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