Contentment, Empathy and Entropy

I don’t want to constantly come up with advice or lists of things to do to better your life. That’s not what this is about. What I truly want is for more people to feel contentment, empathy, and an understanding—and acceptance—of entropy. I would happily say the same thing over and over and live by example if it could help even one person.

These are the three things I believe could make your life better, easier, and happier, no matter who you are, where you live, or what your circumstances are:

• Contentment

• Empathy

• Acceptance of Entropy

Contentment
Find contentment with who you are, where you are, what you have, and what you’ve done. Find it in the little things: watching the sunrise, laughing with a friend, or even feeling the ache of loss or pain. These are all part of the wonder of being alive.

Be content in these moments, without always desiring more. All you really need is yourself, and love—for your neighbor, your friends, and your family.

Empathy
Have empathy for others, whether it’s the stranger struggling through their day or the person you envy who seems to “have it all.” Everyone has their own battles. Even someone in a million-dollar car can feel lost. And the person with no home or food carries a pain most of us can’t imagine.

Empathy means seeing others as they are, without judgment or trying to solve their problems for them. Just listen. Be a shoulder, an ear. Your actions—good or bad—will ripple out and affect others, whether you realize it or not. Choose to act in ways that make the world better, not worse.

Acceptance of Entropy
Everything is temporary. Nothing belongs to you. Everything you touch—every place you go—must one day return to the earth. And that’s okay.

There’s beauty in the impermanence of life. Things that don’t last become infinitely more precious. Even this earth won’t last forever. So, what will you do with the time you have?

Recognize that to live is to take, but to truly live is to balance what you take by giving back—whether it’s time, care, or gratitude for what you’ve been given.

The Path to Peace
When you embrace these three things, you can begin to find peace—not just with the world but with yourself.

Take time to reflect. It doesn’t need to be hours or days (though it can be if you have the luxury). Just pause, even for a few minutes, and ask yourself:

• Am I spending my precious time in a way that feels right to me?

• Am I leaving the world better than I found it?

• Am I helping others, or am I only thinking of myself?

Through contentment, empathy, and acceptance of entropy, you’ll find your own version of happiness. And if I could share just these three things—if they could reach someone, anyone—I would be happy.