Many people think ikigai means discovering a grand purpose.n reality, it is often much simpler. A reason to get up. A place to go. People who know your name. Watching Juichi in his eighties, I wonder if that is part of what we are really seeing. I’m Lowell Sheppard, 71, sailor, author, and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. I’m the Founder of the Never Too Late Academy and Special Advisor to the International Forum. Through Japan Solo Field Notes, I explore aging, place, community, and longevity across Japan. https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/ #ikigai #Longevity #Community #HealthyAging #Japan #JapanSolo #Boxing #NeverTooLate #AgingWell #Curiosity #Purpose

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A famous Japanese proverb says: "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." Yet after years of travelling through Japan's remote communities and researching healthy aging, I've come to a different conclusion. The healthiest communities I've encountered are not those that suppress individuality. They're the ones that create space for it within a strong culture of belonging. I've explored this paradox more fully in my latest Japan Solo article on Substack. https://open.substack.com/pub/japansolo/p/the-nail-that-sticks-out-gets-hammered I'd love to hear your thoughts. About me: I'm Lowell Sheppard, author, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Founder of the Never Too Late Academy, and Special Advisor to the International Academic Forum (IAFOR). Through Japan Solo Field Notes, I explore longevity, community, purpose, and healthy aging across Japan. Learn more: Never Too Late Academy https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/ #Japan #Community #Longevity #HealthyAging #JapaneseCulture #Leadership #Individuality #Belonging #JapanSolo #Purpose

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Every few weeks, I pass through Narita. Not just the airport. The town. It has become part of my rhythm. Leaving Tokyo, I slow down before returning to my tiny village on Amami Oshima. Leaving the village, I gather momentum before heading back to Tokyo. I've learned that transitions matter. Sometimes we all need places that help us recalibrate before the next season begins. About me: I'm Lowell Sheppard, author, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Founder of the Never Too Late Academy, and Special Advisor to the International Academic Forum (IAFOR). Through Japan Solo Field Notes, I explore longevity, community, purpose, and healthy aging across Japan. Learn more: https://www.nevertoolateacademy.com/ #JapanSolo #Japan #Narita #Mindset #Purpose #HealthyAging #TravelWithPurpose

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