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Foreign concepts for wellbeing and motivation.



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Sometimes looking at things from another point of view can be refreshing and enlightening. So what do other cultures say about motivation and well-being? Read on  to find out. 

Willpower in Tao, mastery.


If you act with vigor you will have willpower. 

Mastering others is strength, mastering self is power. 

Virya


Virya is Sanskrit for energy, diligence, enthusiasm, zeal & effort.  It pertains to perseverance and vigor, It also stands for courage and strength. Virya is the antidote to Thina. Thina pertains to sluggishness, dullness and lack of drive. The Dalia Lama says that it is wise to be diligent. 


Ppalli-Ppalli

Ppalli-Ppalli Is South Korean for the concept of speed. The phrase basically means Quick quick, hurry hurry. From serving in a restaurant in minutes to erecting buildings years before the deadline, Korean is a culture based on speediness. If you think about it, doing things with haste is more efficient. It's easier to do things faster if you are committed and have formed strong habits. Not only that but you waste less time, although some down-time is needed, if you generally hurry some you will get more done!

Zen

Zen is a type of Buddhism practiced in Japan and around the world. Zen in this sense means a laser like focus and concentration on your tasks. Usually working on one main thing until you achieve mastery of it. Meditation can help in this regard. 


Ikigai

Ikigai is also Japanese and it means having a sense of purpose, or a reason to live. It can be a hobby, your children, giving charity, savoring or anything that you feel makes you tick. To find your Ikigai write a list of all the things you enjoy and try to see which one gives you the most joy. Keep in mind your ikigai can change and evolve over time. 


Joie de Vivre

Joy de Vivre is French for joy of life. It centers around food and family. It can be the joy of conversation, joy in your hobbies, joy in your work and a general appreciation of life. 

Joy in their work

Taking joy in your work is Hindu and comes from the Bhagavad Gita. It says; 'Those who obtain perfection are those who take joy in their work'. Presumably that a sense of mastery will bring you joy. 

Carpe diem

Carpe diem is Latin and it means to seize the day. "Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow". (Horace). It basically means to live in the present but not i n the past of future. Or to 'gather your rosebuds while you may'. Meaning that opportunity only knocks once.
 
I hope this article was inspiring and enlightening to the reader, and that it was interesting to see what other cultures believe in, in order to achieve more in your life. 

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C4%ABrya    

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180708-south-koreas-unstoppable-taste-for-haste

https://www.psychologies.co.uk/japanese-wellness-practices/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpe_diem    

Tao te ching

Bhagavad gita

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