Virkattua

A couple years ago I inherited a small sewing box from my husband's grandmother. When Hipsu passed away, she was almost 100 years old, part of the generation who believed saving to be a virtue. No wonder that box was full of odd buttons from now discarded clothes, broken pieces of jewellery, different kinds of strings and yarns of various lengths, craft appliances which I had no clue how to use, and tiny hooks and needles. I was enthralled.  Like all in her generation, she had made her own dowry sheets with handcrafted laces and patched woollen socks she had made herself. You never knew when you might need something so you never threw anything away.  Many of the buttons have still ended up to new crafts, yarns and strings have become handy too. Even though I have been decluttering for some years now, Hipsu's box is too precious to be swiped.

I have never been into ismis or gurus of any kind but Ikigai hit the nerv. This Japanese word means meaning of life, reason to live for. Japanese, especially those living in Okinawa, are the champions of longevity. Corner stones of Ikigai are: 1. Fill you stomach only 80 % full. 2. Have a rich social life. Smile. 3. Exercise lightly but constantly, because like water, body is at it's best when moving. 4. Stay active, never retire. 5. Take it slow. 6. Never give up. 7. Reconnect with the nature. 8. Be thankful and give thanks. 9. Live in the moment. And above all: 10. Find you flow, your ikigai. Flow is something that makes time to disappear, it immerses you. It didn't take long to figure out my ikigai since crafts have always been my thing. I might crochet, knit, paint, or sew for hours giving no attention to my surroundings. In the future I might become a  takumi , artisan who has polished her skills to the highest level. In Japan they are very...