Marlow's Musing 1/26/25
Doing something with soul, creativity, and love.
Society often measures success through metrics and milestones, pushing us toward efficiency over essence. Yet the most meaningful work comes from those who pour their whole heart into what they do.
Since the nature of our lives is shaped by the language we use, understanding words that capture this depth of devotion becomes essential.
That's what makes exploring Meraki so vital right now. Instead of simply completing tasks, I invite you to discover how infusing your work with soul and creativity transforms both the creator and the creation.
Words of Purpose come alive when spoken, and I encourage you to listen to the audio narration. Now, let's explore another Language of Purpose...
"When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece."
John Ruskin
Audio narration by David Marlow
Definition.
Meraki: (v or adv)
ma·'rak·ē
1: To do something with soul, creativity, and love
2: Putting your essence into your purposeful actions
Meraki is a modern Greek word derived from the Turkish “Merak” (labor of love, to do something with pleasure), typically applied to creative or artistic tasks.
Meraki in action means to do something with passion, absolute devotion, and undivided attention.
Risk
Without Meraki, you risk losing touch with your core identity. The pressure to conform to societal expectations and external influences, already strong, will be even stronger without a clear link to doing something you love.
This gradual erosion can lead to a profound disconnect from who you are at the deepest levels. Moreover, the absence of Meraki can trigger an existential drift, leaving you feeling trapped in a default mode of existence.
What once brought joy and fulfillment may morph into tiresome chores, draining your energy and enthusiasm. Without a connection to Meraki, even success can feel hollow and unfulfilling.
Meraki's intrinsic link to creativity and innovation makes its neglect perilous. Your ideas may grow stale, and your pursuits may lack the spark of originality, limiting your ability to create a unique and lasting impact on the world. This creative stagnation can stifle your potential for growth and fulfillment.
Perhaps the most significant risk is that by failing to infuse your life with Meraki, you risk missing countless opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the world and the lives of others. Your unique qualities and talents may remain hidden, denying the world the positive influence you could have wielded.
Opportunity🌀
Incorporating "Meraki" isn't just about avoiding the pitfalls; it's about recognizing the unparalleled opportunity you possess to craft a life uniquely yours.
At the heart of embracing "Meraki" lies the profound recognition that there will only be one "you" in all of time and creation. You are an irreplaceable, singular expression that will never occur again.
With each step guided by "Meraki," you transcend mediocrity. The activities that once seemed mundane and insignificant now become opportunities to create something truly remarkable.
Every day becomes a chance to infuse your actions with creativity, passion, and purpose, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Most profoundly, embracing "Meraki" offers you the chance to inspire and uplift others by boldly embracing your individuality.
Living your life as if you were producing a masterpiece can be a gift to the world.
Story
When I think about doing something with soul, creativity, and love, putting my essence into purposeful actions, one thing comes immediately to mind.
No, not my grandkids. While true, I'm going with a different example because that is too obvious to be much help for you.
Years ago, BASF had a commercial that went something like this…
We don’t make the race car; we make it faster.
We don’t make the blue jeans; we make them bluer.
We don't make a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you buy better.
If there is one thing in my life that I've consistently poured my heart into, it is making things better. People, processes, products, systems, organizations, and so on. In each case, I get jazzed about making whatever exists today…better.
It is an example of Meraki and shows that the specific expression of our purpose can take countless forms.
It's not solely about the 'what' we do but the 'how' we do it. It's about approaching each task, no matter how ordinary, as an opportunity to express our deepest values, creativity, and purpose.
Expressing our essence and purpose in harmony with whatever we do.
Application.
Spend your time doing what only you can uniquely do.
The Ikigai Guy
Recognize that there is only one 'you' in all of time and creation. Your uniqueness is your superpower, and here are three small steps you can take today:
Create a 'Meraki' Journal: Start a journal dedicated to your 'Meraki' journey. Each day, jot down moments when you felt truly yourself, moments when you were passionate, creative, or deeply engaged. Reflect on what made those moments special and how you can bring more of them into your life.
Craft a 'Meraki' Ritual: Develop a daily or weekly ritual that allows you to infuse your actions with soul, creativity, and love. It could be as simple as dedicating an hour to a creative project you're passionate about or making a point to have a heartfelt conversation with a loved one regularly. Rituals help cement 'Meraki' into your routine.
Seek and Share Uniqueness: Challenge yourself to find and celebrate the exceptional in the people around you. Discover what makes your friends, colleagues, or family members unique, and let them know you appreciate those qualities. Encouraging others to embrace their individuality can inspire 'Meraki' in them and create a positive ripple effect.
These small steps inspire a deeper connection with your uniqueness and encourage you to actively seek and spread 'Meraki' in your interactions and daily life.
🌀Reflection.
Something a little different for your reflection on this one. I invite you to get to know Jiro in the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi.1
Jiro Ono is 85 years old and makes sushi at his 10-seat restaurant in a Tokyo Subway station, hardly where you’d expect to receive a Three Star Michelin meal.
David Gelb set out to make a documentary about the world of sushi and expected to film many chefs with different styles.
Instead, he was astonished by how good the sushi was at Jiro’s and how much more remarkable it was than any other sushi restaurant. Jiro was so passionate and committed to continually improving his craft even at 85, Gelb felt compelled to make the entire documentary about him.
I do the same thing over and over, improving bit by bit. There is always a yearning to achieve more. I'll continue to climb, trying to reach the top, but no one knows where the top is.
Jiro Ono
Everything about Meraki is in this story. Passion, soul, love, and a never-ending quest to get a little bit better each day.
As you are watching, look for the passion elements, the personal dynamics of father and sons, and attempts to replicate the experience and art of Jiro in another location.
There is much to learn about living into your purpose in this splendid movie.
🌀 Remember: No matter what has come before, today is a fresh start. 🌱
Let’s make things a little bit better. 🌱
It was on Netflix and Hulu. Even if it is no longer available for free, it is well worth the rental price to watch this amazing story.
David, no guffaw yet this morning but a very meaningful article. It turns I have been practicing Meraki in my daily life and in my creative expressions.
This realization brings tears to my eyes and to see it through the lens of an ancient Japanese philosophy is deeply touching. Thank you!
I do so love what you’ve offered here.
I believe with all my being that it doesn’t matter what we do, it matters How we do things.
This combined with leaving the world a better place are worthy attributes.