Key Points
Contentment is a choice available in the present moment, not a reward for future achievements.
Curiosity and awe are essential for a life of well-being and openness.
Living in service to a higher purpose—whether you call it God, the Tao, or the cosmos—can infuse everyday actions with meaning.
"Human being" vs. "human doing"—a reminder that existing in presence matters more than constant productivity.
Confidence is its own skill, not always tied to competence.
Comparison is misleading—we all offer something unique, and trying to be someone else only hinders our authentic contribution.
Reflection
I had the thought about how we can always choose to be content.
I was listening to a podcast, and it talked about how we all want financial freedom. But at the end of the day, we want what we want because we want to be content. The human desire to be content is universal.
While I was walking, I realized—I can just choose to be content right now. I can choose to be totally content with this moment. That was startling because the usual mindset is, “I'm doing this so I can be content later.” Yet the only time you can be content is now. The only time you can be anything is now.
So yes, we can choose to be content right now.
Another thing I want to keep reminding myself: stay curious. Maybe not always, but as much as possible. Be curious, wonder about things, and keep an open mind. I think this is a huge key to well-being—being curious, being in awe, wanting to know more, being interested.
I was also reflecting on doing things not just for myself, but as acts of service. Service to the Godhead, or whatever you believe in. Whatever gives you purpose. Seeing what you're doing as service to the cosmos, to the Tao—an act of love. Like bhakti yoga. Even a chore becomes meaningful when it's done in service of the divine.
Each act becomes an act of love toward that higher principle. I’ll just call it the Godhead or the Tao. And to keep that in mind in whatever I practice or do.
Someone once said, “We’re human beings, not human doings.” It came up when I was talking to someone about meditation. They resonated with it and shared how they practice in their own way. But the idea stuck with me—just beingis so important. Not feeling burdened by the day-to-day, but simply being. That’s essential for a fulfilling life. A life of well-being—not just doing well, but being well.
These are some thoughts from today. Things I'm trying to hold in my awareness:
We can choose to be content.
Stay curious, even when it's not easy.
Treat every action as an act of service—to the Godhead, to the Tao, to the cosmos.
Let that perspective bring purpose to everything.
Whatever word resonates with you—for me it might be “serving the Godhead.” Seeing each action as sacred can be incredibly freeing. Really powerful.
Also, I was thinking about performance anxiety—feeling shy because I don’t think I have something to offer. Comparing myself to others with more technical skill. But even highly skilled people do that. Confidence, like my friend Zale said, is its own skill. It’s correlated with skill, but it’s separate.
What you bring might be completely different from what someone else brings—and that difference is your gift. I want to bring vibes. All along I’ve been comparing myself to fish, when I’m a panda. It’s a completely different skill set.
Getting over the fear of not being good enough, and zoning in on your own strengths—that’s key. They might be totally different from someone else’s. So comparison isn’t useful. It doesn’t even make sense.
Namaste.
