Life today often feels like a race. We chase success, financial security, and personal growth, believing that once we reach a certain point, we’ll finally be able to relax. But what if that sense of peace isn’t something we have to wait for? What if simplicity is available to us right now?
Studies on happiness, like the Easterlin Paradox and the World Happiness Report, suggest that fulfillment comes not just from wealth but from presence and meaningful relationships. Yet, Western culture conditions us to believe that more success, money, or possessions will eventually bring ease and clarity. The reality is, without a way to organize life’s complexity, we can feel lost even when we have everything we once wanted.
A great example of this is the Parable of the Fisherman and the Businessman. The businessman advises the fisherman to expand his work, grow his income, and retire wealthy so he can finally enjoy life. The fisherman simply replies, “Isn’t that what I’m doing now?” This simple yet powerful story highlights the contrast between endless striving and embracing the present.
Simplicity doesn’t mean giving up ambition. It means creating space to enjoy life as it unfolds. It’s about making room for presence rather than waiting for some distant future to finally slow down.