Issue No. 90

We live in a world obsessed with progress. From childhood, we’re taught to chase goals—better grades, bigger paychecks, loftier titles. Society conditions us to believe that happiness lies just beyond the next milestone. If only I get that promotion, if only I buy that house, if only I lose those last ten pounds, then I’ll finally be happy. But what if this relentless pursuit of future fulfillment is nothing more than an illusion? What if true happiness isn’t something we acquire from the outside but rather something we cultivate within ourselves?

When I reflect on my own life, I realize how often I’ve fallen into this trap. There was always another goalpost to reach, another box to check before allowing myself to feel content. When I graduated college, I thought landing my dream job would bring me joy. Then it became about earning a higher salary. And once I achieved that, I started dreaming of traveling the world or finding the perfect partner. Each time I reached one of these milestones, the satisfaction was fleeting. The sense of arrival never lasted because there was always something else waiting ahead.

It wasn’t until recently that I began to question this cycle. One evening, after a particularly exhausting day at work, I sat outside watching the sunset. For the first time in weeks, I stopped thinking about deadlines and to-do lists. Instead, I noticed the vibrant hues painting the sky, the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze, and the comforting warmth of the fading sunlight on my skin. In that moment, I felt a profound sense of peace—not because anything extraordinary had happened, but because I allowed myself to simply be. It struck me then: happiness doesn’t come from reaching some distant destination; it comes from appreciating where you are right now.

This realization led me to explore the concept of gratitude—a practice so simple yet so transformative. Gratitude forces us to pause and acknowledge the abundance already present in our lives. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have. When we wake up each morning with a roof over our heads, food on the table, and people who care about us, we possess more than many others will ever experience. Yet, how often do we take these blessings for granted? How often do we overlook the small joys—the laughter of a friend, the smell of fresh coffee, the quiet stillness of an early morning—because we’re too busy chasing the next big thing?

It reminds us that life isn’t lived in the past or the future but in the here and now. If we’re constantly looking forward, we risk missing the beauty of today. We become like travelers rushing through a museum, eyes glued to the map, desperate to see everything but failing to truly absorb any of it. Life passes by unnoticed while we wait for some mythical “perfect” moment that may never arrive.

Of course, ambition has its place. Setting goals and striving for improvement can lead to growth and fulfillment. But there’s a difference between healthy aspiration and obsessive fixation on the future. The key lies in balancing ambition with appreciation. You can work toward your dreams without sacrificing your ability to find joy in the journey. After all, the journey is where most of life happens.

I’ve started practicing gratitude daily, even if just for a few minutes. Some days, it’s as simple as listing three things I’m thankful for: a kind word from a colleague, a delicious meal, or the fact that I woke up feeling healthy. Other days, it’s deeper—a recognition of personal resilience during tough times or the love and support of family and friends. These moments of reflection don’t erase challenges or hardships, but they help me reframe them. They remind me that even in difficulty, there’s something to be grateful for.

Happiness, I’ve learned, isn’t something external—it’s an internal state of being. It doesn’t depend on circumstances or achievements but on perspective. When we shift our mindset from scarcity to abundance, from longing to appreciation, we unlock a wellspring of contentment that no external success could ever provide.

So, stop for a moment. Look around. Take stock of what you have instead of fixating on what you don’t. Celebrate how far you’ve come instead of obsessing over how much farther you need to go. Life is fleeting, and the present is a gift—one that deserves our full attention. As the saying goes, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”

If you want to be happy, start by being grateful. Because happiness isn’t out there somewhere in the future—it’s right here, waiting for you to notice it. The future will come to you no matter what, so don’t chase it. Chase the present because once it’s gone, it’s gone forever. Be happy now.

Until next week,