It is possible to live happily in the here and the now. So many

"It is possible to live happily in the here and the now. So many conditions of happiness are available—more than enough for you to be happy right now. You don't have to run into the future in order to get more." These profound words of Thich Nhat Hanh invite us to embrace the present moment and recognize the abundance of happiness that already exists within our reach. In a world constantly chasing what is next, Hanh offers a simple yet revolutionary truth: happiness is not a distant destination but a state of being available to us in the here and now.

The essence of Hanh’s teaching lies in the understanding that happiness is not something to be earned or accumulated. It is not found in some far-off place or through future achievements. Rather, happiness is a present condition, rooted in our ability to fully experience the moment we are living. The past is gone, the future is yet to come, and it is in the present that life unfolds in all its beauty. To be fully alive in the here and now is to drink deeply from the well of happiness that is already flowing around us, if only we would take the time to notice.

Consider the lives of the great sages of the past. Buddha himself, after his enlightenment, taught that the path to peace and joy is not through a future pursuit but through mindful presence. He spoke of the necessity to free oneself from attachments to past regrets or future fears. Buddha, the awakened one, understood that the present moment is the only true reality we have, and that in it, we can find peace, contentment, and profound joy. His life and teachings are a testament to the timeless truth that happiness lies in the present.

In our own lives, it is easy to fall into the trap of thinking happiness will come once we achieve a certain goal or reach a particular milestone. We often think, “Once I get that promotion, once I have more money, once I find my ideal partner,” we will finally be happy. Yet, when we examine the lives of those who have achieved such goals, we often find that their happiness remains elusive. The cycle of desire and seeking continues. Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us that true happiness is not bound by external circumstances but by our ability to cultivate contentment in the present moment.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, a man who achieved greatness through his work, yet was also known for his deep moments of contemplation and presence. Despite his many masterpieces and accomplishments, da Vinci often sought simplicity and connection to the world around him. His joy was found not in future fame, but in the quiet contemplation of his art, nature, and the present moment. This is the essence of Hanh’s teaching: in the midst of our work, our striving, and our ambitions, there is space for us to be truly present and find joy.

In our everyday lives, it is easy to become distracted, to fall prey to the constant pull of future desires and “what-ifs.” Yet, by focusing on the conditions that already exist in our lives—the love we share with others, the beauty of nature, the health we enjoy, or the simple joy of a peaceful moment—we can shift our attention away from the future and begin to find happiness right where we are. Happiness, as Hanh says, is already here. It is available in our breathing, in our interactions, in the quiet moments of reflection.

Practical action comes in the form of mindfulness: to stop, to breathe, to look deeply at the conditions of our life and realize that happiness is not something that must be chased. When we begin to appreciate the present moment, we start to realize the abundance that surrounds us. The conditions for happiness are not outside of us but within, waiting to be recognized and embraced. Each breath, each step, each act of kindness becomes a source of happiness, and in this way, we no longer need to wait for the future to find peace and joy.

And so, the lesson from Thich Nhat Hanh is clear: happiness is a choice. It is not something we must run after, but something we can cultivate in the here and now. Let us not waste our lives in a perpetual pursuit of future goals, but instead, let us open our eyes to the happiness that is already present. By embracing the present, we discover the timeless truth that peace and joy are always within our grasp. The conditions of happiness are all around us, and they are more than enough for us to be happy right now.