Before, surviving the everyday life and meeting the family’s needs are enough to satisfy man’s contentment. But the world turned complicated with the passing of time and it is not the case today. The society has put on a new level of pressure upon our shoulders. It wants us to be more ambitious, more intelligent and more competitive. Every day is a battle. Everyone is equipped with armors and weapons of the modern world –technologically advanced gadgets, fashionable garments, fearless view and philosophies, and updated career skill set.
We always need more. We always want more. We have the insatiable thirst to be better – eventually to be the best. This is the reason why we become the unstoppable force of nature. Always working, never resting our laurels.
For me, this outlook is completely fine – if done in moderation. We should work towards excellence in a way that leaves no room for mediocrity and complacency. But there is a thin line between drive and greed. There are moments when we are so consumed with our own goals that we are willing to do everything in our will to make them a reality – even at the expense of the people who we dedicate this supposed success. Even at the expense of our own happiness.
Before, I thought that achievements make a person. I have seen the likes of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain rise to this so-called success only to take their own lives. We thought they have everything someone could possibly ask for – money, fame, and recognitions. But they don’t. Career accomplishments and luxurious possessions aren’t everything.
That is why I always make it a point to slow down once in a while and revere to the beauty created by the Almighty.
One day, I decided to define what that beauty is for me and came up with this list.
- The feeling of body scrub particles in my skin
- The sound of crackling ice
- Back issues of my favorite magazine
- Fresh bedsheets
- Finding good stationery products in a sea of boring school/office supplies
- A good T.V series (because I rarely finish one)
- “I’m so full I may not eat in the next four days.” feeling
- Early walks
- Stuffs that last a long time aka getting my money’s worth
- The sleepy feeling during spa sessions
- A good pen that makes my handwriting pretty
- Finding random coins
- Hearing songs I haven’t heard for the longest time in public places
- Remembering memorable moments with family and friends
- Surprises (they’re rare, in my case)
- The smell of a newly-cleaned room
- Bubble wrap
- Idea execution
- Anything that deals with bread
- Ice cream on a hot summer day
- The smell of flowers carried by the wind
- Early morning stillness
- Full moon
- Having my hair shampooed in hair salons
- Back massages
- Discovering money I didn’t remember owning
- A book I can’t put down
- Handwritten letters
- Random compliments
- Kind strangers
- Loved ones giving me things because it reminded them of me
- Laughing so hard I feel like I’m growing abs
- “Where have you been all my life?” feeling when I discover good content – blogs, books, podcasts, Youtube channels
- Low-maintenance friends who are with me for almost a decade and who are always willing to listen to my senseless stories
- Family (do I need to say more?)
Life has been fast, convenient, and instant that we forget to appreciate the little things that make us happy. I think we should do it more often. Go for walks. Spend time with family and friends. Take a hobby. These seemingly mundane activities will make us realize that life is wonderful as it always is.