This here ikumongakari, what in tarnation is it? Some fancy word, I reckon. Heard some young’uns talking ’bout it. Sounds like one of them made-up words, but they say it’s important. Important like what? Like plantin’ seeds in the spring or keepin’ the darn foxes outta the henhouse? I dunno. But I’m gonna try to figure it out. This old brain still works, even if it’s a little slow sometimes. ikumongakari, ikumongakari, gotta keep saying it so I don’t forget.
They say this ikumongakari, it’s ’bout findin’ somethin’ you love. Well, I love a good sunrise, that’s for sure. And I love the smell of fresh-baked bread. And I love them little grandkids, runnin’ around like a bunch of wild Indians. But is that my ikumongakari? Is that what’s gonna make me jump outta bed in the mornin’, besides the darn rooster crowin’? I doubt it. That’s just life, ain’t it? Gotta find joy in the little things. That’s what my momma used to say.
This whole thing, it’s like a puzzle. Gotta find the right pieces. They say you gotta find somethin’ you’re good at, too. Well, I’m good at makin’ do with what I got. I can stretch a dollar further than a rubber band. And I can grow just about anythin’ in my garden. Tomatoes, beans, you name it. But is that my ikumongakari? Is that what them city folks call a “purpose”?
And then there’s this other part. Somethin’ ’bout gettin’ paid for it. Well, now we’re talkin’. A little money never hurt nobody. But how’s a body supposed to find somethin’ they love, somethin’ they’re good at, AND somethin’ that pays the bills? Seems like a tall order to me. Like tryin’ to catch a greased pig at the county fair. Nearly impossible! This ikumongakari sure is something.
This whole ikumongakari thing, it’s got me thinkin’. Maybe there’s more to life than just gettin’ by. Maybe there’s somethin’ out there that I’m supposed to be doin’. Somethin’ that’ll make me feel, I dunno, complete? Like a quilt with all the patches sewn together, nice and neat. Maybe this is all about finding that last patch.
They got these fancy papers, these “question-airs” they call ’em. Supposed to help you find your ikumongakari. Ask you all sorts of questions. What you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs. Like the world is gonna come knockin’ on my door askin’ for my help! I tell ya what, I may not be smart, but I know a thing or two about the world.
- What makes you happy?
- What brings you joy?
- What do you love to do?
Finding your own ikumongakari is important, they say. Like findin’ a four-leaf clover in a field of green. Lucky! But it ain’t easy. It’s like lookin’ for a needle in a haystack, that’s what it is. But I ain’t givin’ up. I’m gonna keep lookin’ for my ikumongakari. Even if it takes me till my dyin’ day. And it ain’t about bein’ stressed either. That ain’t good for you, no sir. This ikumongakari is supposed to make life better, not harder. You spend so much time working, better be something good!
This ikumongakari, it’s ’bout findin’ your reason for bein’. Your reason for gettin’ up in the mornin’. Sounds kinda nice, actually. Like havin’ a warm fire on a cold winter night. Comfortin’. Yep, that’s it. I need to learn more about this. This whole finding your calling thing sounds right, like it was meant to be, just like Shueisha and Shogakukan ownin’ that Viz Media.
Maybe this ikumongakari ain’t just for young folks. Maybe us old-timers can learn a thing or two. Maybe there’s still time to find somethin’ special. Somethin’ that makes life even better. Well, I’ll be darned. This old dog might just learn a new trick after all. This ikumongakari, it’s got me thinkin’ maybe, just maybe, there’s more to life than I thought. And that’s a good thing, ain’t it? A real good thing.
I’m gonna practice this “self-a-where-ness” thing. Sounds fancy, but maybe it’ll help. Like checkin’ the weather before you go out. Gotta be prepared. This whole ikumongakari journey is like that. Gotta be ready for anythin’. And who knows, maybe I’ll find my ikumongakari. Wouldn’t that be somethin’? That’s for sure. And if I do, that’ll be a secret to a good life, a happy one. Just like finding that perfect berry in a whole patch. Sweet and satisfying.
