The Hidden Cost of Luxury: Finding True Happiness in Simplicity"
Luxury, something many of us aspire to, often comes at a hidden cost. It promises comfort and satisfaction but takes away something far more valuable—our inner strength, creativity, and courage. Thinking back to my childhood, I remember how simple life was. Food choices were limited, yet our stomachs were full, and we felt truly satisfied. Today, despite having refrigerators overflowing with food, we have lost appetites and a lack of fulfillment. I realised with more luxury & choices we have Satisfaction (संतुष्टि) but not contentment (तृप्ति), which we used to have while being a child living with scarcity.
With more luxury and choices, we may find momentary satisfaction but lose the deeper contentment we once had. Living in luxury for too long can weaken us. It kills our imagination, reduces our creativity, and diminishes our courage to face challenges. When we have more than we need, we unknowingly develop a deep sense of insecurity, always fearing the loss of what we own. This fear makes us less brave and more dependent on our possessions.
If a king or a politician becomes a businessman, his focus shifts to protecting his wealth instead of leading with courage. Similarly, when a country gives its soldiers too much comfort, it risks losing its fighting spirit. A nation can recover if its business people fail, but it may not survive if its warriors do.
Luxury can drain a person’s power, intelligence, and ability to reinvent themselves. It often drives people to seek bigger thrills, sometimes leading to destructive habits like addiction. On the other hand, poverty or scarcity pushes us to think creatively, inspiring us to innovate and adapt. Struggles bring out our strength and determination, which luxury slowly erodes.
The most energetic and innovative people often live with the basics, free from the distractions of luxury. They rarely face depression and lead lives full of action and purpose. Creativity doesn’t come from abundance; it comes from challenges.
Living a minimal, simple life is the most powerful way to awaken our potential. True luxury lies in having just enough—no more, no less. It keeps us active, creative, and connected to what really matters. A king in a palace may struggle to sleep, but a person under a tree can rest peacefully.
Avoid making luxury your lifestyle. Embrace simplicity, and you’ll find not only happiness but also the strength to live a more active, meaningful life.
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