If you’re reading this on a smartphone or any digital device, that’s perfect.

No. I’m not trying to be nice. I really mean it. Because imagine if those digital devices never existed. What would be the alternative?

The irony here is that if those devices were never invented at all, we’d just be totally OK with whatever medium we have for reading. We’ll just accept it.

The fact that we know there’s a “better” alternative makes us unappreciative of what we currently have.

This irony doesn’t only apply to material possessions — also, experiences.

If I were to ask about your day yesterday, it’s possible that you’d wish it to be better or different.

But if they were to be changed for the better, how would you know that it’s actually better? To what day are you comparing it with?

This is the source of our suffering. Attachment to our ideals.

As life unfolds, our minds also get busy comparing and resisting and insisting that it should be somehow different or better.

The trick here is to catch ourselves every time we’re wishing things to be different.

Because no, we can’t stop our minds. We’re human beings. We’re wired that way.

Our goal is to be aware.

Awareness is enough to silence our monkey minds and bring us back to the present. Enough to make us appreciative of what we have. That we are lucky to experience all of this.