Ikigai,
by Leonor Henríquez

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I was given a Japanese scarf.

An exotic garment, made of fine cotton and hand painted.

Since I slipped it around my neck, I have not been able to take it off.

I don’t know if it was the artist’s design, who wanted to capture an idyllic garden full of moving colors or the exquisite stitching that finishes it, but the piece of art captivated me.

I think I unconsciously granted it holistic properties, a kind of talisman. I adopted this precious gift as a good luck charm.

The last few days, if I didn’t wear it around my neck, it was on my hat or on the handle of my bag, and I went through life happy, with optimism and protection.

Until one afternoon, after my daily walk, I discovered that my scarf was gone.

I retraced my steps. Nothing.

I searched the entire house. Nothing.

Mystery.

I went to sleep with a hint of sadness and fear, as if luck had abandoned me.

February is the month when the “blues” attack, also called SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) which comes with lack motivation and low energy.

You won’t believe what happened next.

In the midst of my melancholy, I looked out the window and saw a peregrine falcon perched on the fence of my garden. I wasn’t surprised because sometimes they come to hunt mice, but this time I noticed that he had something in his beak.

I told you that you wouldn’t believe me. It was my Japanese handkerchief.

I swore I was dreaming, but no.

I opened the door, and the falcon flew away.

There, at the foot of the fence, was my handkerchief, my luck lost and found.

Happy to recover my beautiful scarf, I noticed for the first time a handwritten word, in a corner of the fabric.

生き甲斐/IKIGAI

I proceeded to research it.

Ikigai: A Japanese concept that refers to the purpose or reason for living.

Well, yes, I thought, luck may sometimes go astray, but it returns, with a renewed desire to live.

I said to my peregrine falcon:

Arigato

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