I need to celebrate life because I'm in a good spot, I work
I need to celebrate life because I'm in a good spot, I work hard, and I am happy with who I am and happy with what I do for a living, and sometimes I just focus and overwhelm myself so much with the fights and getting better, that I just need to slow it down and enjoy life and enjoy training.
The words of Dustin Poirier—“I need to celebrate life because I’m in a good spot, I work hard, and I am happy with who I am and happy with what I do for a living, and sometimes I just focus and overwhelm myself so much with the fights and getting better, that I just need to slow it down and enjoy life and enjoy training”—speak with the clarity of a warrior who has tasted both struggle and triumph. They remind us that even in the pursuit of greatness, the soul must pause to honor the present moment.
The ancients taught that the unexamined life is barren, but so too is the life consumed only by labor and strife. To endlessly fix the gaze upon the next battle, the next challenge, is to forget the sweetness of breath itself. In his reflection, Poirier proclaims that to celebrate life is not vanity, but necessity: a recognition that joy and gratitude are as vital as discipline and toil.
The mention of fights recalls both his profession and the greater metaphor of existence. Every soul wages battles—against weakness, against adversity, against the relentless demands of ambition. Yet to be always fighting is to risk becoming blind to the gift of being alive. Thus, the wisdom is balance: to strive for better while also cherishing the ground already won.
When Poirier speaks of being happy with who he is and what he does, he voices an ancient truth: contentment is not found in perfection, but in the harmony between effort and acceptance. To rejoice in both training and achievement is to walk the middle path, where growth and peace are companions rather than rivals.
So let this teaching be passed down: honor your labor, but do not let it consume your spirit. Pause, breathe, give thanks, and enjoy life. For the warrior who forgets celebration is only half alive, but the one who trains and fights while also rejoicing in the present becomes whole, enduring not only in strength but in spirit.
THHUYNH TAN HUNG
What strikes me about Poirier’s quote is how it underscores the need to celebrate victories, both big and small. We often forget to appreciate where we are because we’re too focused on the future. How can we integrate more moments of gratitude and enjoyment into our routines without losing sight of our goals? Is it possible to feel both fulfilled and motivated at the same time, or does one sometimes come at the expense of the other?
HVNguyen Minh Hoang Vy
Poirier’s words highlight how important it is to recognize when we’re overwhelmed by the drive to improve. It’s a common struggle in many high-performance careers to focus solely on the next challenge, but at what cost? How can we find joy in the process and not just the end result? Is it possible to enjoy the journey of self-improvement while still acknowledging the need for rest and celebration?
BKBi Ki
This quote from Poirier speaks to the constant tension between ambition and contentment. It’s hard not to focus on the next goal when you’re always striving to get better. But Poirier’s reminder to slow down and appreciate the present makes me question: Can we still be driven to succeed while also savoring the process? Is there a way to be fully invested in both the work and the celebration of life?
THNhung Tran Hong
I love how Dustin Poirier expresses the importance of slowing down and celebrating life, even when things are going well. It’s easy to get lost in the grind and forget that success isn’t just about work—it's about enjoying the journey too. How do we make space for celebration and enjoyment in our busy lives? Is it something that can be cultivated intentionally, or does it just come naturally once we’re satisfied with what we’ve achieved?
AAAzumane Asahi
Poirier’s quote really resonates with the idea of balancing hard work and self-care. It’s common to get so focused on ‘getting better’ that we forget to appreciate the good moments. But is it possible to achieve that balance consistently, especially in competitive fields or high-pressure environments? How do we remind ourselves to slow down and celebrate our wins, without feeling guilty for taking a break?