“I’m enjoying life just the way it is…”

I had an interesting and unusual conversation with a friend today, someone whom I knew well as a child but had lost touch with since then, until recently. Amidst nostalgic recollections of those days we were talking about where we’ve got to since our ways parted.

At this point he said something which quite affected me: “I’m enjoying life just the way it is right now. I’m being useful to other people, and sharing my knowledge and skills. We can’t take those with us when we die anyway; nor our fancy cars!”

It struck me that such a sentiment is rare to find today. How many people do you know that are completely content with their life as it is at the moment? How much time do we spend wishing things were different and seeking happiness in things and people and achievements? How many people actually find it in this way? How often do we stop ourselves from being happy by a stubborn refusal to accept and embrace the present moment?

I think I might walk about with a pointless grin for the rest of the day… and then think about how I might make myself more useful to other people.