I recently read the book Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles. The Japanese word “ikigai” means our reason for being. Our ikigai is an intangible thing at first, but soon it will be tangible. There are many people who have not found their ikigai, and this book may push you to achieve this goal.

My community is a vast one. I do not think anyone has found their meaning for being in this community, but we will find it. Together. Even if they do not know it, they are trying to find their ikigai, even you are. In my community, by “finding meaning,” people expect themselves to find meaning in their lives. But it's not so simple, as finding meaning does not only mean finding meaning in their lives but finding their reasons to live. We Indians, may it be boys or girls, kids or adults, have a passion for cricket. If you come to India and ask a guy what sport he likes to play, he’s going to say cricket. So, in my community, cricket is a part of people’s lives, and an important one at that. This plays an important role in finding meaning in their lives, so if I were to help a person in my community to find his meaning in life, I would start with connecting it to cricket.

Finding meaning in our lives isn’t easy. There are many ways to find meaning in our lives, and one is connecting with people. If you connect with other people, that won’t only give you a clue to your ikigai, but it will help the other person to find their meaning in life too.

There is a place in Japan, an island by the name of Okinawa in the East China Sea. This island is famous for one thing only, which is longevity. In general, elderly people are called centenarians. But in Okinawa, the people there have aged so much that they are called supercentenarians. The oldest supercentenarian on Okinawa is Kama Chinen, with the age of 114 years and 357 days (at the time of my writing this essay).

In the vast journey of life, seeking meaning is like exploring a complex maze. We discover that meaning can be found in our relationships, personal growth, contributions to society, and even in the challenges we face. Although we may not find one universal answer to life's meaning, the pursuit itself enriches our human experience. By embracing opportunities for connection, personal growth, and making a positive impact, we shape our unique life stories filled with purpose and fulfillment. In our quest for meaning, we leave a lasting legacy that extends far beyond our individual existence, making our mark on the world.