October 24, 2011 at 8:00 AM

By Peggy Mullan, President & CEO of Beatitudes Campus

Dr. Don Fausel - retired Professor of Sociology, top grade philosopher, and all around good guy - shared a concept with me a few weeks ago that continues to tumble through my mind.  He wrote an essay focusing on the Japanese word ikigai, which loosely translated means that thing in life that gives us purpose or fuels our passion.  Don’s essay goes on to talk about anthropologists who study the world’s oldest citizens, called Blue Zones. These "zones" seem to have more than their share of centenarians. Sure enough, one of the commonalities that typify the Blue Zones is the sense of ikigai that permeates the culture. At every age, people in these communities have a purpose. And their purpose drives joy.

Does it surprise you that joy should correlate with longevity? It doesn’t surpise me.  More and more, we are hearing stories of elders who continue to give of their time and talents to their communities, their families, their churches as they age.  Invariably, when you talk with these generous souls you hear something like “I get back more than I give,” or perhaps “It makes me happy to be part of something bigger than myself.” This is not just shared experience or common sense, it’s also good psychology.  Neuroscience today teaches us that doing something positive for ourselves or for others produces very real physical and mental effects. Our brains produce and release endorphins, chemical substances that trigger happiness and a sense of well-being.  It’s a bit like a runner’s high; long after she’s taken her running shoes off, the effect lingers. The day is simply better if one has served someone else or a greater cause…just because.

Purpose is definitely relative. What provides meaning for one person may be insignificant to another, making an ikigai terribly personal. Meaningful service can be something as simple as doing the dishes for a neighbor who has broken a wrist, or calling a grandchild who lost three ball games in a row. These kinds of connections do not rely on health or good weather, which is perhaps why elders take so readily to the idea of service. They simply call for recognition that these small acts of  kindness, make a difference in someone else’s day. 

So what is your ikigai?  What gets you out of bed in the morning?

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