Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things

Hear the radiant words of Henry Miller, who declared: “Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music—the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” In these words lies a profound reminder of the abundance of existence, and the call for each of us to lift our gaze from our own narrow burdens and behold the vast richness of the world around us. For life itself is a banquet, overflowing with wonders, yet so many walk through it starved, blind to its treasures because they cannot look beyond themselves.

When Miller speaks of developing interest, he urges not a passive glance, but an active cultivation of curiosity. The world will not reveal its beauty to those who remain closed, self-absorbed, or indifferent. One must lean forward, engage, ask, explore. In people, one may discover courage, compassion, and mysteries that inspire. In literature, one may walk through centuries and speak with the dead. In music, one may taste the very emotions of the universe. The call is not to consume life shallowly, but to immerse oneself deeply in its infinite richness.

He proclaims that the world is rich, throbbing with treasures, as if existence itself is alive, pulsing with meaning. This richness is not only in palaces or museums, but in the small details of daily life—the smile of a stranger, the sound of rain, the turning of a page, the rhythm of a song. Those who train their eyes to see such beauty live in abundance, even in poverty. Those who close their eyes to it live in famine, even in wealth. Thus, Miller’s words teach us to see not with eyes alone, but with the soul awake.

The command to forget yourself is perhaps the most difficult, yet the most liberating. Much of human suffering arises from constant self-absorption—measuring our worth, nursing our wounds, envying others, fearing judgment. But when one turns outward, away from the prison of the self, one is set free. To forget oneself is not to vanish, but to be enlarged, to become part of something greater. It is to be carried on the tide of life, rather than weighed down by endless reflection upon one’s own shadow.

History offers us examples of this truth. Consider Albert Schweitzer, physician and humanitarian, who gave up comfort and acclaim in Europe to serve in Africa. He might have remained wrapped in his own career, but he chose to forget himself and dedicate his life to others. In that self-forgetting, he found greatness, and his life became a testament to the richness of serving humanity. His joy did not come from gazing at his own reflection, but from entering deeply into the lives of others.

So too can we recall the great artists and philosophers who immersed themselves fully in the world around them. Leonardo da Vinci studied the wings of birds, the flow of water, the smile of a woman, for he saw life itself as his teacher. His greatness was not born from obsession with his own glory, but from tireless fascination with the treasures of the world. In this way, Miller’s words echo across centuries: curiosity and self-forgetfulness open the door to genius.

O children of tomorrow, take this lesson into your heart: cultivate curiosity like a garden, and let it grow wild. Seek out the beauty of others, the wisdom of books, the healing of music. When you are weary of yourself, turn outward—look, listen, learn. In doing so, you will find that your burdens grow lighter, and your spirit grows larger. The world is wide, and it longs to be discovered.

Thus remember Henry Miller’s words: life is rich, throbbing with treasures, and only when you forget yourself do you truly see it. Open your eyes, sharpen your curiosity, and let the world astonish you. For the one who steps outside of self and embraces the abundance of life walks not in poverty, but in endless wealth of spirit.