Judging a book by its cover may not be recommended but it surely led me to discover a book find that offered me a life-changing philosophy. The mint green cover with striking red text and eye-catching tea cups made me reach for (and purchase) a copy at a bookstore a few days ago.
Printed in bold font is ICHIGO CHIE (The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way).
After getting a grasp of interesting concepts like hygge (Danish philosophy focusing on the quality of coziness and comfortable warmth that fosters a feeling of contentment or well-being), lagom (Swedish philosophy that means “not too much, not too little” or one that aims balance in every life area), and ikigai (Japanese concept that means your ‘reason for being), I welcome the additional learning.
There is a wealth of information and applicable tips inside the book but to give you a headstart, ichigo ichie in translation means “Once, a meeting” and also “In this moment, an opportunity.” It brings to mind the idea that every encounter we have in this lifetime is a unique experience that will never happen again in the same way. If we let moments pass us by, they will be lost forever.
Here are my top five takeaways from incorporating ichigo ichie into my life.
Savor moments as if they were your last. The books say, the best moment in your life is always the present. No one is guaranteed the next days, hours, or even minutes. Focus on the now and embrace every experience as if it is your last chance to immerse in it.
Sit and watch things unfold. Our tendency to overthink causes us to lose sight of the beauty of what is in front of us. We have to take time to live in the present and bask in what it has to offer. Let the present experience amaze you with how blessings will be unveiled.
Skip distractions. The book shares how an old proverb says that a hunter who aims at two prey at once will kill nothing. Multitasking sometimes prevents us from appreciating what individual activities have to offer. Ichigo ichie teaches us to do one thing at a time, acting like it is the most important thing in the world. As the book says, when we do that, the thing we are working on eventually turns out to be.
Unload what is not essential. The book advises that whenever we feel overwhelmed, we need to ask ourselves, “What can I let go of?” We are reminded to travel light in life and remove the burden of carrying things (literally and figuratively) that no longer serve us. I believe this can also be applied to relationships. We need to detach from toxic relationships and people who weigh us down.
Get rid of expectations. Expectations kill magical moments. That’s how I interpret the book’s recommendation to free ourselves from constantly predicting what will happen next. We need to allow magic to happen anytime.
This can be experienced with an uncluttered mind, the book says. In a beautiful metaphor, expectation is a wrapper that prevents us from seeing our gift. The moment we let go and let it unfold, we see the beauty of the present.
This is your sign to grab a cup of tea, celebrate the present, and reach for a copy of this easy read by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles.
For your random thoughts, e-mail the author at [email protected].