09/01/2025
âď¸ Our Perspective from Okinawa â Part 3
In the Blue Zones book and documentary, one lesson from Okinawa stands out: Hara Hachi Buâthe practice of eating until 80% full. A simple phrase repeated before meals, it reflects moderation, balance, and gratitude.
We saw this in Ogimi Village, the âVillage of Longevity.â In Kijoka, one of its 13 communities, we ate at a small cafeteriaâno soda, just water and fresh meals cooked in front of us. The menu wasnât restricted: pork, fish, rice, vegetables, even spaghetti. Two seniors casually joined us, reminding us this was a community, not a tourist stop.
The chefâlikely in her 80sâran the open kitchen alone, cooking, serving, laughing, and chatting with everyone. Her energy radiated ikigai (life purpose). She wasnât just feeding us; she was serving joy. Our host Bryan helped her take orders, and she thanked him with extra fish for his family. Even small moments, like one of us learning to use chopsticks, became a community celebration as locals applauded the effort.
We noticed young students eating there too, marking milestones like passing a driverâs test. When a small accident outside damaged her property, the chefâs smile never faded. She kept repeating arigatĹâthank youâas though joy itself was her daily ritual.
This wasnât just a meal. It was connection, gratitude, and purpose. A reminder that longevity isnât only about what you eat, but how you eatâtogether, in moderation, with joy.
At Caresify, we hope to carry these lessons forward. Beyond care at home, mealtime becomes a chance to connect, to help seniors find joy and purpose, and to create spaces where love is the main ingredient. đż
