Discovering Ikigai: A Journey to Your Purpose, Part 3
As we journey through Ikigai, we arrive at the third essential element: What the World Needs. This step shifts the focus outward, exploring how your unique passions and talents can address the world’s deepest needs. The world cries out for healing, love, compassion, and integrity. It needs people who can step into the light, resist the allure of the shadow, and inspire others to do the same. Let’s dive into what this means and how it relates to your purpose.
What Does the World Need?
The world needs healing. It needs people willing to show the way of the light—not the shadow. The shadow is powerful, seductive, and mysterious, offering countless answers to justify taking the easy path. But the light, with its singular and unwavering call to integrity, is what the world truly needs.
Here’s an example from my own life:
I once went shopping at Marshall’s and bought a few items. When I got home and opened the bags, I realized they hadn’t charged me for a pair of Michael Kors slacks. The shadow immediately spoke to me in four different ways:
- Score! You’ve got some free pants!
- You worked hard, so you deserve them.
- It’s not your fault they don’t train their employees properly.
- The company is so big they won’t miss a $75 item.
But the light in me SCREAMED:
“Put those pants back in the bag, take them back to Marshall’s, stand in line, and pay for them.”
And that’s precisely what I did. I worked too hard to step into the light; I wasn’t about to throw it all away for a pair of pants.
A similar situation happened while grocery shopping. It was pouring rain, and I had five heavy bags. When I loaded them into my trunk, I noticed a tube of toothpaste left in the cart. The shadow tried to tempt me again: “It’s not even worth it. The toothpaste is $3. Just throw it in with your other groceries.”
But I didn’t. I went back into the store and paid for it.
These moments may seem small, but they’re significant. They’re about choosing the light over the shadow, integrity over convenience. And this is what the world desperately needs—people with the courage to resist the pull of the shadow and inspire others to do the same.
Reflective Questions to Explore What the World Needs
- What do you believe the world is lacking most right now?
- How can your unique passions and talents address those needs?
- Think of a time when you chose to act with integrity. How did it impact you and those around you?
- Who inspires you to stay in the light, and how can you emulate their example?
- How can you use your voice and actions to inspire positive change?
My Insights
For me, the world’s greatest need is healing. People need love, compassion, and a way to step into the light. I’ve seen firsthand how easily the shadow can pull us in with promises of power, greed, or even convenience. But I’ve also seen the incredible transformations when someone chooses the light instead. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Practical Exercise to Connect Your Purpose with the World’s Needs
- Identify a Need:
- Reflect on what you believe the world is missing. Is it love, compassion, honesty, or something else?
- Find Your Contribution:
- Think about how your unique talents and passions can address this need.
- For example, if the world needs healing, consider how your skills—like storytelling, coaching, or art—can inspire others to heal.
- Take One Small Action:
- Commit to one action today that reflects the light you want to bring to the world. It could be as simple as showing kindness, creating something beautiful, or standing up for what’s right.
The world needs your light, courage, and willingness to stand up for what’s right. By aligning your passions and talents with what the world needs, you’re discovering your Ikigai and making a profound difference. In the next post, we’ll explore the final element of Ikigai: What You Can Get Paid For and how it ties everything together.
Stay tuned for Part 4 of this series, and continue uncovering your unique purpose.
For personal direction and help with identifying your Ikigai, schedule a complimentary 1-hour Discovery call.
