Ichigo Ichie

The chance of a lifetime.

We all had that chance or the feeling that made a moment seem like a make-or-break opportunity.

We may have felt it at work before closing a big deal or ahead of an important presentation.

We may have felt it the day we took our SATs or had our first job interview.

There’s a fear that if we don’t deliver, we will miss that opportunity and, suddenly, life will be worse.

The Japanese have wisdom for everything through their words.

The word Ichigo ichie, which some trace back to a 16th century tea master, is said to mean, "one chance in a lifetime,” brings new meaning to once-in-a-lifetime.

It describes a cultural concept that translates to "for this time only” or “one time, one meeting.”

Some describe this as rooted in Buddhist philosophy, and translate it as the period from one’s birth to death.

Ichigo ichie may be interpreted as life is a one-time opportunity.

But it may also mean that every moment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.