Living In the Moment

Introduction

I recently bought a Mi Box for home use so that my family and I could watch a show together.

• However, I was disappointed to realize that TV shows are no longer the sole form of entertainment, and people are increasingly turning to their smartphones for entertainment.
• Gone are the days when we would all sit on the sofa together, waiting for the next episode of a drama series.

Reframe Rest

In today's connected world, it can be difficult to find time for ourselves. Even on our off days, our lives are filled with small distractions, such as receiving work calls or text messages at lunch or while shopping.

• More often than not, we neglect to see how these tiny distractions have affected our personal lives, built up stress and undermined our happiness in important moments.
• In fact, the feeling of burnout is a direct result of our always-on culture.

One way to reclaim our personal time is to create clear boundaries between work and life.

• Instead of being available at all times, we should adopt the policy of being offline and only contactable for urgent matters.
• We should set limits on when and how we check work-related messages and emails, such as refraining from responding after office hours or only check work emails once a day.
• We should also set aside sufficient times for ourselves each day to relax and recharge, such as a weekly family night.

We should not see "rest" as being unproductive or a barrier to our work.

• On the contrary, it is important to make time for offline activities and personal time.

Stop letting work creep into our personal lives and taking breaks to relax and recharge can reduce stress and improve our happiness.

Exploring Happiness

Upon arriving home, I sometimes prefer to sit in the car and reflect on my life.

• Stepping out of the car means I am ready to face new challenges and responsibilities.

Whenever I am tired or stressed at work, I always dream of traveling as it offers a glimpse of happiness in my life.

• But, have you ever reconsidered what element of travel actually makes you happier?
• Is it being away from work, escape from the everyday routine or experience new cultures and cuisines?

A monotonous life can trap us in a comfort but boring zone.

• Trying new things or challenges can broaden our horizons and help us discover our true passions.
• Nonetheless, if you are comfortable and happy with current lifestyle, there is no need to change it.

Afterall, it is not what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it (i.e. your perspective), not your circumstances.

• Stop looking forward to others' lives. Being a boss or an employee presents different challenges and stresses.
• It is a common sense notion that a fish should not envy a bird's ability to fly, and a bird should not desire a fish's underwater rest.
• Everyone's life is unique, but equally filled with blessings.

NOTE: When visiting a scenic tourist attraction, like a beautiful beach or a majestic mountain, we often dream of staying there forever. However, this fantasy often blinds us to the realities of living there. While we experience these places at their peak, we rarely consider the less idyllic aspects—the lack of income and education opportunities, limited healthcare services, or the potential for flash floods during monsoon season.

Avoiding Disappointments

A significant source of life disappointment and dissatisfaction stems from unspoken, excessive expectations.

• When things do not go as we hope, even if we have not voiced our desires, we often harbor inner anger.
• We tend to believe that significant effort invested in a project or relationship should be met with equally enthusiastic feedback. However, this is not always the case. Everyone is preoccupied with their own lives (daily chores and challenges).

To truly enjoy life, we must minimize or eliminate expectations, both of others and ourselves.

• This is especially true when we learn to appreciate that every convenience others provide represents their time exchanged for ours.
• If you want something, learn to voice it.
• Also, we may not be our best selves yet, but we are on a path of continuous improvement. Accepting failure as a possibility, we must never stop striving, as if success were just around the corner.

The Small Little Events

Every day can feel like just another 24 hours that slip away, a routine of waking up, going to work, and returning home.

• While seemingly insignificant, we often seek to celebrate important events like Chinese New Year, birthdays, weddings, and farewell gatherings.
• These occasions provide a much-needed break from the monotony of our daily lives.
• Although these celebrations may require extra effort, they serve a vital purpose: they allow us to pause, refresh, and then continue our journey with renewed energy.

Also, anticipating upcoming travels to different parts of the world fills us with hope and excitement, giving us something wonderful to look forward to in our life journey.

Summary

I once told my colleague, working is not the only thing in life, but you should explore your passions and find what truly makes you happy.

• Never lose hope and the willing to grow, because no one cares about you more than yourself and your family members.
• The central aspect of life is making the right choices, such as selecting the appropriate career and life partner. However, do not be misled by the pursuit of wealth. It is a failure to become a millionaire while neglecting family.

If you ever lost in your life journey, remember these:

• The truth could be harsh, but it is always the simplest answer.
• Embracing the truth does not mean giving up, because nothing will change for better without a change.
• Having low or no expectations of others and life itself can often be a key to happiness.