Life is full of happiness and struggle.

This is the plight of the human condition.

That said what I have noticed is “if my world is right, the world is right.” 

As Helen Keller said, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”.

As I write this in Nepal, I can’t help but wonder how lucky and blessed I am to have been able to grow up in the United States of America.

I have encountered many people and I’ve also witnessed lots of those who are suffering and many more who are simply making ends meet or living below the poverty line, although they have the same talent or even more than those in the West.

While driving to Junbesi, Solukhumbu, I realized, even more, that we are all the same. 

We each want happiness, more joy, less suffering.

Speaking with my uncle and cousin brother in Junbesi, they confessed to me that people in the villages do not have a high aim. They are simply happy with what they have. Whether success happens or not, they are happy. They need enough for their family to survive and that’s it.

Listening to them share their take on life I could not help but think about how true it is to be happy with what you have and to have “enough”. Don’t get me wrong, I will continue to grow, as I have a wife, son and desire to help my family, extended family, friends and those less priveleged. Ironically, I will achieve enormous sums of money.

But do I need it?

No.

Do I want it?

Yes, as I have decided I, myself need nothing. However, it is my deepest desire to help my family, give them a good amount of money and achieve my own greatness in my endeavors. If I can do that, I’ll die a happy man.

In life there will be lots of “dukkha” or suffering and “sukkha” or happiness.

If we are to have a fun and joyous life we are to dance with and embrace “dukkha” and “sukkha”.

Without “dukkha” there is no “sukkha” and vice versa.

Here’s to us dancing with “dukkha” and “sukkha”.

Love from Boudhanath,

Sonam