It’s been an interesting 10 days in my life, I’ve covered imposter syndrome and my perception on it, excellence and the investment required to achieve it, some health and well-being aspects I incorporate into my life, friendship and a new life that entered the world, as well as various details on what my happiness means, What I perceive as happiness and my basic perception on how to achieve it or at least hopefully a small insight and assistance in the pursuit of it.

As I review the past 10 days I’m reflecting on perception, the simple life and how sometimes the most basic aspects of life can contribute in the most fulfilling and profound ways.

Thailand is one of my favourite places on the planet and one of the highlights is most definitely the people. They are warm, caring, funny, loving, humble and yet still a country full of savages. Every time we have travelled through the country our experiences have always been wonderful and that’s mainly due to the hospitality of the people and one of the most amazing things about the vast population is there happiness. Like everyone on the planet, they all have issues internally, yet constantly find happiness out of everything, they have minimal money, few material objects but they have community, friendship and are truly happy about anything they do have. Predominantly a Buddhist country, this could contribute to this aspect but they are generally just very good people who are happy with just being alive, having one another and trying to be the best versions of themselves and kindest people to all other humans.

Sure, surface level and ‘the pleasant life’ aspects of materialism and attainment can be nice and within western society it is ironically more so accepted as a route to happiness than anything else, but I strongly believe that a simplistic view combined with true perspective on what really is important contributes strongly to the search of happiness.

A big part of the western and first world civilisation is the overall complex systems and construction of community and society as well as this perception of materialism being the fundamental avenue to achieve happiness. Yet, in 3rd world countries, where poverty is prevalent, so many families don’t know where their next meal is coming from and materialism is barely existent, true happiness is a lot more common.

The ability to break down your own world into a simple construction of your fundamental pillars of happiness - internal understanding, strong family and community connection, presence and perspective around what is actually important, then accepting everything for what it is, are key ingredients and can contribute strongly in the search for happiness.

Sometimes it’s important to take a step back to smell the roses. Simplify the world around you and acknowledge. what you have for what it is

“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but developing the capacity to enjoy less” - Socrates

Thanks,

Dean