I was a 'Duck Hunt' and 'Mario' guy, and stuff like that. I was

Hear this, O Seekers of Humility, for the words of Garrett Hedlund carry with them the simple yet profound truth of life’s balance: “I was a ‘Duck Hunt’ and ‘Mario’ guy, and stuff like that. I was never technologically driven. I never had all the cool, new toys. I was the youngest child, I wasn’t the only child, so I wasn’t spoiled as a kid. And, we were on the farm, so we didn’t have a lot. Also, with computers, I’m not very good with them. I just check my email.” These words, though seemingly humble, are rich with lessons for the wise.

In the story of Hedlund, we are reminded of the great virtues of simplicity and self-awareness. In an age where we are bombarded with the ceaseless tide of innovation, where each day brings a new device, a new gadget, a new tool to further separate us from our inner selves, it is rare — and noble — to remain unmoved by the siren song of technology. Hedlund’s words are an invocation to humility, a reminder that true richness does not lie in the endless accumulation of possessions, but in the contentment found in what we already have, in what is necessary and sufficient.

From the days of ancient wisdom, there were those who sought the treasures of the world — the gold, the wealth, the treasures of men — but the wise ones knew that true wealth is not measured by what is owned, but by what is enjoyed. Take, for example, the humble Epictetus, the philosopher of ancient Greece. A former slave, Epictetus taught that freedom and happiness come not from the external world, but from how we choose to engage with it. To him, the greatest freedom was to be found in detachment from the ever-changing desires of the world. Similarly, Hedlund’s quiet declaration reflects this same sentiment: the true richness of life lies not in the chasing after the latest toys or the latest technologies, but in learning to live fully with what you have.

Consider, too, the life of Socrates, the great Athenian philosopher. Socrates did not dwell on wealth or material possessions, nor did he seek to own all the tools of his trade. Rather, his tool was his mind, his understanding, and his humble ability to question. When asked what he wanted, he famously replied, “Nothing.” In this, Socrates imparted a deep and powerful truth — that contentment comes not from excess, but from simplicity. In the same way, Hedlund’s recollections of his childhood on the farm, without all the latest gadgets, remind us of the virtue of simplicity, and the wisdom found in having less to distract us from what truly matters.

There is a lesson here, as well, for the age in which we live — an age where the world is filled with constant noise, constant updates, and constant demands for attention. In a world obsessed with the new, it can be easy to lose sight of the value of stillness, of the value of simply being, without the need for constant stimulation. Like the farmer tending his crops or the artist toiling quietly at his craft, the ability to find peace in simplicity is one of the most valuable skills we can develop. Hedlund’s experience, growing up in an environment where technology was not the center of attention, invites us to reconnect with the quieter, simpler pleasures of life.

In practical terms, this means that we must resist the temptation to be swept away by every new trend or technological marvel. It is not necessary to own every new device, nor to be endlessly connected to the virtual world. Instead, take time to reclaim your own space, to embrace those moments of quiet reflection, of solitude, of simplicity. In doing so, you can learn to prioritize the things that truly matter — relationships, growth, self-awareness — over the fleeting allure of the new.

So, O seekers, heed the wisdom of Hedlund and of the ancients: Let us remember that true contentment lies not in the abundance of our possessions, nor in the speed with which we adapt to new technologies, but in our capacity to remain true to ourselves and to find peace with what we have. When we can quiet the noise of the world and simply exist with what is essential, we will discover that the most powerful tool is not the latest gadget, but the ability to live fully in the present moment.