3666: The Secret to Happiness by Courtney Carver of Be More With Less on Mindfulness and Gratitude

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[00:00:58] [SPEAKER_00] This is Optimal Living Daily. The Secret to Happiness. By Courtney Carver of BeMoreWithLess.com. And I'm Justin Mollick, your host and narrator. And we're gonna get right to it as we optimize your life. The Secret to Happiness. By Courtney Carver of BeMoreWithLess.com.

[00:01:23] [SPEAKER_00] I'd like to tell you a story. A certain shopkeeper sent his son to learn about the secret of happiness from the wisest man in the world. The lad wandered through the desert for 40 days and finally came upon a beautiful castle high atop a mountain. It was there that the wise man lived. Rather than finding a saintly man though, our hero on entering the main room of the castle saw a hive of activity.

[00:01:51] [SPEAKER_00] Trades men came and went. People were conversing in the corners. A small orchestra was playing soft music. There was a table covered with platters of the most delicious food in that part of the world. The wise man conversed with everyone. And the boy had to wait for two hours before it's his turn to be given the man's attention. The wise man listened attentively to the boy's explanation of why he had come, but told him that he didn't have time just then to explain the secret of happiness.

[00:02:20] [SPEAKER_00] He suggested that the boy look around the palace and return in two hours. Meanwhile, I want to ask you to do something, said the wise man handing the boy a teaspoon that held two drops of oil. As you wander around, carry the spoon with you without allowing the oil to spill. The boy began climbing and descending the many stairways of the palace, keeping his eyes fixed on the spoon.

[00:02:46] [SPEAKER_00] After two hours, he returned to the room where the wise man was. Well, asked the wise man, did you see the Persian tapestries that are hanging in my dining hall? Did you see the garden that it took the master gardener ten years to create? Did you notice the beautiful parchments in my library? The boy was embarrassed and confessed that he had observed nothing. His only concern had been not to spill the oil that the wise man had entrusted to him.

[00:03:15] [SPEAKER_00] Well, then go back and observe the marvels of my world, said the wise man. Relieved, the boy picked up the spoon and returned to his exploration of the palace, this time observing all of the works of art on the ceilings and the walls. He saw the gardens, the mountains all around him, the beauty of the flowers, and the taste with which everything had been selected. Upon returning to the wise man, he related in detail everything he had seen.

[00:03:42] [SPEAKER_00] But where are the drops of oil I entrusted to you? Asked the wise man. Looking down at the spoon he held, the boy saw that the oil was gone. Well, there's only one piece of advice I can give you, said the wisest of wise men. The secret of happiness is to see all the marvels of the world and never to forget the drops of oil on the spoon. This little story with a very big message from one of my favorite books, The Alchemist,

[00:04:10] [SPEAKER_00] begs the question, can we appreciate the beauty that surrounds us while staying focused on what is most important? Simplicity answers the question with a resounding yes. When life isn't simple and you have to constantly think about debt, shopping, catching up, spending, competing, appointments, health issues, falling behind, family conflict, clutter, and stuff,

[00:04:37] [SPEAKER_00] there's no time to appreciate the beauty or protect what is most important to you. There's no time to be happy. Imagine dumping everything in your life that is meaningless, everything that you don't do for love. What would be left over? It's time to prioritize the leftover. Somehow those most important things, those things which usually aren't actual things, get shoved back behind all the things we're supposed to be doing and buying, reading, worrying about.

[00:05:07] [SPEAKER_00] This isn't permission to shirk your obligations, but an invitation to put the most important thing in your life today at the top of your never-ending to-do list. While everyone will have a different thing at the top of the list, clearing out or making a plan to begin clearing out clutter or debt or meaningless stuff should be close to the top until it's gone.

[00:05:29] [SPEAKER_00] That said, even before you are debt-free, clutter-free, or free of whatever stands in the way of you and a happier life, prioritize the precious oil in your life, and start living. Start enjoying immediately. There's no doubt that clearing clutter will give you the time and space you need to fully embrace life, but you don't have to wait for an empty drawer to get started. I know you think you'll be happy when you're debt-free or happy when you fit into your skinny jeans,

[00:05:58] [SPEAKER_00] but I can tell you with great conviction that it's time to be happy right now. You don't be better to think that I'm suggesting that you run around with a crazy smile on your face and rainbows shooting out of your pockets, but once you believe that happiness is possible, regardless of your current circumstances, things will start to change. You will change. Your life will change. You will have opportunity to be happy.

[00:06:29] [SPEAKER_00] You just listened to the post titled The Secret to Happiness by Courtney Carver of BeMoreWithLess.com and I'll be right back with my commentary.

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[00:07:24] [SPEAKER_00] Thank you to Courtney. I haven't read The Alchemist in quite some time, but I do remember the story she mentioned. The Secret to Happiness being this balance between seeing all the wonders of the world, but never forgetting the drops of oil on the spoon. It really makes you think about that balance in your own life. For me, the drops of oil on the spoon are the daily responsibilities of this podcast.

[00:07:51] [SPEAKER_00] That's my work, but also my health and relationships. So easy to just stare at that spoon all day, so focused on not messing up that you forget to look around. And the marvels of the world? That could be something as simple as a flower or the Tai Chi classes I've been going to. Something I do for myself that helps me feel more present and balanced. But there's always that temptation to say, I'm too busy today, or I have too much oil to carry, I should just skip it.

[00:08:20] [SPEAKER_00] But the story is a great reminder that it's about figuring out how to do both. How to keep up with the responsibilities that are important, while still making time for the things that bring us joy. If you only focus on the oil, well, then you miss out on life. If you only look at the marvels, well, you spill the oil. As usual with pretty much everything we hear on this podcast, it's all about finding that balance. That should do it for today. Thank you for being here and listening every day.

[00:08:49] [SPEAKER_00] Have a great rest of your day, and I'll catch you tomorrow, where your optimal life awaits. You're welcome. You're welcome. Bye, guys.