Earlier this year, I've picked up a book called The Book of Ichigo Ichie. It’s the art of making the most of every moment, the Japanese way. Written by the same authors of Ikigai, which I’ve read last year, Héctor Garcia and Francesc Miralles.
What does Ichigo Ichie mean?
First, it is pronounced as itchy-Go itchy-A.
It’s something like this: What we are experiencing right now will never happen again, and therefore, we must value each moment like a beautiful treasure.
Beautiful, indeed, isn’t it? True, it’s more like the YOLO thing we usually hear— You Only Live Once, but we have to make it right so once is enough. If we let it slip away without enjoying it, the moment will be lost forever. It’s like now, or never!
Becoming aware of Ichigo Ichie helps us take one foot off the gas and remember that each morning we spend in the world, every moment we spends with our children and with our loved ones is infinitely valuable and deserves our full attention.
Admittedly, when I came across the quote above, I paused for a little while and asked myself: “What am I doing with the days of my life?” Then, it made me a bit sad— work and chill. Don’t get me wrong, sure I am thankful for the life I get to live— that I can extend help whenever and wherever I can, and live a lifestyle of my choice, but deep inside of me thought… “Is this everything for me in this lifetime?”
The drama of existence is not death but never having begun to live. —Marcus Aurelius
I loved this book so much I finished reading it after 3.5 hours, and it made me fathom each word I’ve highlighted in the book, and made me reflect, and ask myself difficult questions. Someone told me once that having to ask and answer difficult questions is better than having unanswered questions. Boy, did it change my perspective of things? Do you also agree?
We don’t know when we’ll have to leave this world— and that’s just as well— but what does depend on us is how we spend “all the other days”, all these when we are alive. And these days are made up of encounters and moments that we can either allow to slip away or make unforgettable.
This book is now part of my all-time favourites! I think I should write a list and share it with you as my recommendations so you can check it out yourself! Books are life-changing, and life is a never-ending school. Ahh, next time!
Let me leave you with the 10 rules of Ichigo Ichie:
Don’t postpone special moments.
Live as if this is going to happen only once in your life.
Dwell in the present.
Do something you’ve never done before.
Practice zazen.
Apply mindfulness to your five senses.
Notice coincidences.
Make every gathering a party.
If you don’t like what there is, make something different.
Be a hunter of special moments.
Grab a copy of this book, and you’ll better understand why I’m hyping it up, and tell me what you think!
***
I also have a podcast show. You can listen through https://spoti.fi/3yU2HII.
If you're interested to know more about what I do, you can find all of my links here: https://bit.ly/3m3JFvM