Vol. 20: The 'Contrast' That Enhances Happiness — Continuing to Enjoy 'Now' Creates the Best Future
The other day, a major lecture I had been preparing for months concluded successfully, and for the first time in a while, I was able to spend a 'full day with absolutely no plans'.
Looking back on the footprints of that day, it was filled with time dedicated to reclaiming 'myself' in a surprising way.
The luxury of filling your day only with 'what you want to do'
My day began by going to the hair salon first thing in the morning to refresh my mind and body. After that, I took a 3km walk while wandering around town. I enjoyed lunch at a shop I found along the way, following my intuition, and in the afternoon, I maintained my body with 'Dr. Stretch,' a habit I have kept up for over three years. Afterward, I enjoyed shopping with my wife and had a swim before heading home. Then, dinner at home.
Every part of the day was filled only with 'things I want to do.' This realization brought me an indescribable sense of happiness.
Happiness resides in the 'gap from busyness'
While I find my daily work as a doctor rewarding, I cannot deny that there is an aspect of being chased by 'things I must do.' This is even more true when you are in a position of responsibility.
That is precisely why a '100% autonomous day' after finishing a big job provides a special kind of nourishment, like water soaking into parched sand. However, if every day were like this, I might not feel this level of brilliance.
The 'gap' between the daily busyness and the moment of being released from it. I feel that this change is the spice that vividly colors happiness.
The iron rule of 'not sacrificing the present for the future'
However, there is one thing we must not forget here. That is, 'you must not excessively sacrifice the present for the sake of future happiness.'
It is easy to think, 'If I endure and work hard now, a great happiness will be waiting for me in the future,' but in reality, I do not believe there is true happiness at the end of time spent without feeling the happiness of the 'now' moment.
Because it is based on 'being happy in this very moment,' you gain peace of mind, and you can continue investing in the future for a long time and with enjoyment.Making the effort to stay happy leads, as a result, to the most certain future happiness.
Cherishing 'now' instead of 'someday,' and drawing the future as an extension of that. Isn't that the true autonomous way of life we should aim for?
As vitality for tomorrow
Taking the 'happiness' gained from today as a solid source of strength. With a heart filled with the satisfaction of doing 'what I want to do,' I intend to return to the 'must-do' daily routine that begins again tomorrow.
Because that busyness is also an important part that makes the next blissful holiday shine and supports the future me.
【Read also: Concrete measures to design the second half of your life with 'freedom'】
To keep the 'happy holiday' I talked about today as a solid foundation for life rather than just a temporary rest, the backing of 'financial independence' is indispensable.
Because you have the quiet confidence that 'even if I quit my job tomorrow, my life will not be shaken,' you can face the 'Musts' in your current situation with peace of mind, without sacrificing your present happiness.
The roadmap I practice for building assets while enjoying my current life and achieving a truly 'autonomous life' is summarized in detail in the following article.
👉 [Article Title: 'New Asset Formation Techniques' for the 100-Year Life Era — A Roadmap Practiced by Doctors to Balance Career and Freedom]