start from inside

“Have you notices that when we die, our eulogies celebrate our lives very differently from the way society defines success?” 

― Arianna Huffington

I finally started to read "Thrive" by Arianna Huffington. I've been meaning to read it for a while. I'm in page 90, and already loving it. Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO and the author of "Lean In" says 

“I hope you find true meaning, contentment, and passion in your life. I hope you navigate the difficult times and come out with greater strength and resolve. I hope you find whatever balance you seek with your eyes wide open. And I hope that you - yes, you - have the ambition to lean in to your career and run the world. Because the world needs you to change it.” 

I love how these women talks about how important to live their life, not only as a powerful and influential person in this society, but as a human beings. They've worked their way up, way way up. Yet, what they've realized is that we need to take care of ourselves in a most fundamental level. Sleep well, eat well, disconnect from your electric devices more,  exercises more, meditate more... Our definition of success should not be defined by monetary or social statues. That should not define how successful someone is. It is the easiest way to major it perhaps. Like Arianna Huffington says, that's not something our eulogies says, right? It is not our resume, our portfolio, or any social medias can tell you. Life is not merely meant to be survived, it is meant to be lived, and fulfilled. 

Life is love. Life is giving. Life is about how much love you can give. That's what I believe. You don't have to be a millionaire to give something. You can give a smile, a hug, or a compliment.  It doesn't have to be something physical. When you can give something to someone, you should. Anything that has physical form are meant to break sooner or later. So, why hold on to it? Matthew 6:19 says "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal". I think that our generations have made things more complicated that it should be. Everything seems more complicated. Social media, social expectation, relationships, family relationships... Why do we do that to ourselves?! Am I being naive to think that life is meant to be lived happy and filled with love? Maybe I am. but I'd rather be naive and stupid than surviving a false life.  We need to realize that what we need to focus on in our life is more fundamental and simple. Our life is meant to be lived, not merely to be survived. Let's go back to basics. Have a nice family dinner, without being interrupted by your cellphone. Have a cup of coffee with your friends. Have a time to read a book. Disconnect yourself from the technology. Meditate for 5 minutes. Whatever it is that helps you to be you. You are not what society want you to be. You are not what others expect you to be. You are you, who you are created to be, and who you are going to be. And the source all that is just pure love. 

No matter what I do, or what kinda situation I'm in, I'm gonna make the best of it. If I can't change the situation, I will change my attitude and be happy. Nobody is perfect and nobody's life is perfect. And we ll struggle in our own way. And that's how it is. It's just as simple as that. I believe that Happy people can find love in anything, anywhere and anybody. If you can't control, what's happening outside, let's change what's inside. Inward. I loved how she said in the book, "We don't have to "do" meditation; meditation "does" us. ". So, why not start from inside? 

Love, Hope, Faith,