Relax! Life is beautiful!

David L. Wolper, a man of vision and insight, speaks with a simplicity that carries great depth: "Relax! Life is beautiful!" In these words, he offers us a timeless lesson—a reminder that despite the struggles and burdens we carry, life, in its essence, is a magnificent gift, filled with beauty waiting to be noticed. In a world often overwhelmed by the noise of our duties, desires, and difficulties, Wolper’s call to relax is not just a plea for ease, but a profound invitation to pause and recognize the inherent beauty of existence.

From the earliest of times, the great philosophers have echoed similar sentiments. The Stoics, like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, taught that peace of mind is the true measure of human happiness. In a world fraught with chaos, they called us to embrace the beauty of life, not by seeking escape from hardship, but by finding tranquility in the acceptance of the world as it is. The Stoic’s path was not to seek riches or fleeting pleasures, but to cultivate an inner peace that allowed them to see the beauty of the world in its simplest forms. Wolper’s words echo this ancient wisdom: life’s true beauty does not lie in the grandiose, but in the simple, the present moment, and the peaceful acceptance of what is.

Consider the life of Leonardo da Vinci, a man whose mind was filled with the complexities of art, science, and philosophy. Yet, even amidst his tireless work, da Vinci found moments to appreciate the beauty of the world around him. He marveled at the flight of a bird, the dance of light on water, the simplicity of a flower. Da Vinci’s genius was not just in his creations, but in his ability to pause and see the beauty that others might overlook. In his countless sketches and journals, we see his deep reverence for the natural world—a reflection of the idea that to truly experience the beauty of life, one must take time to observe, to relax, and to be present in each fleeting moment.

The ancient Chinese wisdom of Taoism teaches us similarly to embrace life’s flow and to relax within its rhythms. Lao Tzu, the great Taoist sage, spoke of the simplicity and harmony of the natural world, urging us to live in accordance with the Tao—the flow of the universe. In the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu reminds us that life is not to be grasped, but to be experienced as it comes, with ease and acceptance. To relax is not to abandon life, but to align oneself with the inherent beauty and order that surrounds us, recognizing that to force life is to miss its natural grace.

Think also of the great Renaissance artists and thinkers, who, despite their monumental achievements, understood the value of relaxation and reflection. Michelangelo, though consumed by the grandeur of his works, took moments to pause and admire the world’s simpler creations. The serene beauty of nature, the play of light on marble, the sound of wind through trees—these were the inspirations that fueled his art. It is not in the striving or the grasping that life’s beauty is found, but in the ability to pause, to relax, and to reconnect with the world as it is.

Wolper’s message is one of profound simplicity. To relax is not to escape the struggles of life, but to find a way to experience them without being consumed by them. It is a call to recognize that life, in all its chaos and wonder, is a gift. The beauty is in the moments—the quiet stillness of dawn, the laughter of a child, the warmth of a hug, the taste of a meal shared with loved ones. Life is not a series of tasks to be checked off, but a collection of experiences to be cherished.

The lesson of Wolper’s words is this: life is beautiful, but it requires us to stop and see it. In the rush of the world, we often forget the simple beauty that surrounds us—the glow of the stars, the feel of the earth beneath our feet, the sound of rain on leaves. In times of stress, grief, or conflict, we must remember to take a step back and breathe. We must not let the noise of the world drown out the quiet, enduring beauty of life itself. By learning to relax, to be present, we open ourselves to a deeper connection with the beauty of the world.

So, when the demands of life weigh heavily upon you, remember the wisdom of Wolper, of Socrates, of Lao Tzu, and of the great thinkers who have come before us. Relax! Life is not a burden to be borne, but a journey to be experienced. Take a moment each day to pause, to reflect, and to appreciate the beauty that is always present, waiting to be noticed. In doing so, you will find a peace that will carry you through even the stormiest of days.