“A human sacrifices their health in order to make money. Then they sacrifice their money to recuperate their health. And then they are so anxious about their future that they don’t enjoy the present; the result being that they don’t live in the present or the future, they live as if they are never going to die, and they die having never really lived.”
– The Dali Lama
I absolutely love this quote by the immensely influential Dali Lama because it has led to the life I lead today, as a minimalist and explorer who constantly questions his values in life.
I had always agreed with being value-focused but didn’t really put it into practice until recently when I sold almost all my possessions, packed a 40L backpack, and began traveling the US and Europe.
Throughout a year on the road, chasing my passion to travel and explore, meeting so many new people, and seeing so many new places I learned that a simpler life is a more fulfilling life.
Through seeking minimalism, I found that recklessness is abundant in the Western world’s view of success and that success needn’t be defined by the amount of money in our bank accounts or the number of places we’ve been, it ought to be determined by the love we give and the love we receive!
What I found through my journey was a greater discernment of choice. I began being able to see the impact of my choices at a deeper level. I started asking myself what my decisions, relationships, purchases, and commitments really meant.
Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention. So choosing a minimalist lifestyle with that in mind really made it easy.
I was actually less content with more because all that stuff was getting in the way of my values: Time, Nature, Travel, and Connection.
Every day we have a choice, albeit a difficult one, to make.
Choice 1: Abandon the idea that power, prestige, and position provide happiness (because happiness is tainted).
Choice 2: Abandon the idea that experience, relationships, and service provide fulfillment (and resort to Choice 1).
It’s like the difference between change and transformation. Change sounds nice, right? Well, change is only temporary. If I change a habit today, then I can change that habit again tomorrow. But if I transform that habit today, there is no going back, no transforming back. As I write this, I am committed to a path that transforms me, not changes me.
Today, I encourage you to reflect on the things that bring you true fulfillment. Take a moment to jot them down and commit them to memory. Let this realization guide you toward transforming your life in a way that aligns with your deepest desires.
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