The Three Virtues
Practices that reveal your Ikigai
Photo by 五玄土 ORIENTO on Unsplash
Humility, Curiosity, and Grace
Previously I’ve shared the deeper meaning of humility1, curiosity2, and grace3.
Together they make The Three Virtues of Ikigai.
An Ikigai Virtue is a quality or habit that helps us live a good and fulfilling life for ourselves and others.
Living out these three virtues shapes our behavior and positively guides our actions.
Humility and curiosity are a potent combination.
Curiosity is demonstrated by a longing to know or learn—an inquisitiveness or desire to understand what is strange or unknown.
Curiosity is the key to almost all growth as an adult.
The truly curious drop judgment and explore with humility, not assuming prior knowledge or understanding.
Humility is about recognizing one's limitations while acknowledging the value, insights, and worth of others.
As C.S. Lewis said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.”
Approaching things with humility and curiosity creates an openness that allows for a world of possibilities.
By suspending immediate opinions or criticisms, we remain open, opting instead to explore ideas, gather information and consider different perspectives.
Dropping Judgment as a multiplier
To delay judgment means to remain open to discovery and revelation. If we’ve already made our minds up about something, the door to exploration is closed.
One more step to Grace
Extending grace takes the act of dropping judgment and goes one step further. Grace, as a noun, means unmerited favor. When understood in this context, grace is something that cannot be earned, nor can it be deserved.
It is something we can give to others and ourselves—the gift of acceptance. It is extending and receiving a pardon that only grace can give.
When you live with humility, curiosity, and grace, a world of possibilities and understanding opens for you.
When we embrace these virtues, we experience the best things in life.
And it is in those moments our Ikigai is revealed.
