The Passing of Time

Exploring a time marked by a before and after event.

Photo Copyright © 2020 David E. Marlow

Three years Ago

It was one of those days we dread in March. An in-between experience of no longer winter and not yet spring—none of the beautiful snow nor the flowers and sunshine.

A mist filled the cold air as I walked from my car.

The coffee shop across the street was calling me. Inside, the air would be warm and filled with the inviting aroma of freshly ground espresso beans.

The person I was meeting hadn’t arrived. I ordered a doppio macchiato—a double shot of espresso with a dollop of steamed milk. The barista added a bit of coffee art on top and handed it to me with a small spoon and saucer.

Gazing out the window at the gray, I thought the scene was poetic and tried to capture it with the picture above.

Little did I know it would be more poignant than poetic as the last image I would document of the world before the pandemic.

Love in the Age of Corona

I had opted to leave my corporate career only six months before, taking early retirement to start my consulting business.

Now the whole world was shutting down. My consulting work and speaking engagements vaporized overnight. Everything I had relied on was gone.

For a short time, I thought I’d made a horrible mistake. Maybe a soul-crushing job in the corporate world with a guaranteed paycheck wouldn’t have been so bad.

The pandemic tested my resolve to leave my old way of life behind and begin my Ikigai quest.

The Hero’s Journey

The Heros’s Journey and our Ikigai quest have much in common. The story archetype of myth (and Star Wars as an example) demonstrates that change is possible for everyone.

It shows that ordinary people can overcome adversity and defeat their fears, living out their purpose.

At a crucial moment, the hero faces their most significant challenge or crisis, often involving a confrontation with their greatest fear or weakness.

Following that, the hero emerges from their ordeal, overcoming their challenges and gaining new insights and abilities.

With help and encouragement, they can impact the world in a meaningful way.

The pandemic represented those stages of my Ikigai quest and reinforced for me the call to leave the comfort of a safe career and share the message of Ikigai.

I’ve never looked back since.

Your Ikiquest

You may not have an obvious turning point like a job loss or (hopefully) a pandemic.

Wherever you are on your Ikigai quest, your Ikiquest we can call it, help and encouragement is waiting for you.

That’s why I created Your Daily Ikigai and why I’ll be adding new ways to help you in your quest in the coming days and weeks.

Keep going…the world needs your voice.