What Should My Attitude Toward Life Be?
19 AUGUST 2025
How Should One Live Their Life?
Ask ten people and you’ll likely hear ten very different answers.
Some believe the secret lies in simplicity, that a peaceful, unhurried life, free from the pressure to chase more, is the most fulfilling path. Let things unfold naturally, they say. There’s a quiet joy in slowing down and savouring the ordinary.
Others see life as too short and unpredictable to be spent playing it safe. Since we’ve made it here, against all odds, into a world where nothing is promised, so why not enjoy the ride? Pour the wine, raise a glass, laugh loudly, and live like tonight matters. If there’s wine, drink it. If there’s music, dance. There’s something deeply human about that spirit.
Then there are those who find meaning through purpose and perseverance. For them, life is about becoming the best version of themselves, about using our limited time to grow, contribute, and uncover what we’re really capable of. It’s not ease or indulgence they’re after, but a sense of inner worth.
And honestly, who’s to say which way is right? There’s no universal formula for a life well-lived. But, at the end, if you can look back with a clear conscience, knowing you stayed true to your values, showed up for the people who mattered, and did your best, that’s already something extraordinary.
Russian author Nikolai Ostrovsky once said that a person should live in such a way that, in old age, they don’t regret wasted years or feel ashamed of having done nothing meaningful. That’s powerful. It reminds us that a beautiful life doesn’t need to be loud or lavish, it simply needs to be lived with intention. Every moment can shine if you’re truly present for it.
Life is like a kaleidoscope. Everyone sees something different, depending on how they turn it. But wise living isn’t reserved for the extraordinary. Those who live well often find magic in the ordinary. And what does it mean to live wisely? It’s probably less complicated than we make it: stay kind, keep your conscience clear, be generous when you can, help without expecting return, remain curious, and seek beauty in the everyday.
Because when you live with that kind of spirit, even a quiet life becomes a luminous one.
Kindness Has Its Own Kind of Luck
The kinder you are, the luckier life tends to feel. Don’t hold back when it comes to being kind, the goodness you offer the world often circles back to you in the most unexpected and beautiful ways. It might not happen overnight, but goodwill has a quiet way of turning into blessings over time.
There’s a timeless story that still makes the rounds today:
One rainy afternoon, an elderly woman stepped into a store seeking shelter from the storm. She wore simple clothes and didn’t stand out, so most of the staff ignored her. But one young employee greeted her warmly and made sure she felt welcome. Before she left, she asked for his business card.
As the story goes, that simple gesture ended up changing his life. The woman turned out to be the mother of Andrew Carnegie, the famous steel magnate. Impressed by the young man’s kindness, Carnegie later helped him rise in the business world. That employee eventually became a success in his own right.
Now, whether every detail is factual or simply a cherished story, the message is clear: sometimes, kindness can open doors that talent or ambition alone cannot.
Good Begets Good, Always
If you want to know how to be happy, start by doing good. A small act of kindness today can ripple outward, gathering strength and returning to you when you least expect it, often when you need it most. That’s why it’s worth acting now. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. The heart of life lies in the good we do while we have the chance.
Don’t reach your later years only to realise you wish you’d given more, loved more, helped more. Sometimes the kind word, the quick favour, or the patient smile you offer in passing becomes the spark in someone else’s turning point. You may never even know it, but it matters.
Never dismiss a small act of goodness as insignificant. And never excuse a small wrong as harmless. The way we treat others in the quiet, everyday moments says everything about who we are.
So start there, with the little things. Let your kindness speak. And let it grow.
The More You Give, The More You Receive
There’s something magnetic about people who genuinely love doing good. They don’t seek applause or attention, they just care. And because of that, they naturally win hearts. Not through charm or cleverness, but through sincerity.
If you look back through history, those who made a lasting impact weren’t just driven or intelligent, they were also generous, compassionate, and deeply connected to those around them.
Generosity builds invisible bridges. When you reach out to help someone, you’re not just giving, you’re planting seeds. And often, those seeds grow into something beautiful down the road.
Even in Business, Generosity Wins
This isn’t just a feel-good idea, it plays out even in high-pressure workplaces. Some companies, often seen as competitive or cutthroat, manage to maintain long-term success not through fear, but through fairness. Why? Because wise leaders know how to reward people in meaningful ways.
Some of the world’s most admired leaders hold only a small stake in their companies, yet they ensure their employees receive generous bonuses and genuine recognition. That kind of generosity builds loyalty. It boosts morale. People want to give their best when they feel seen, appreciated, and supported. It’s smart leadership, but more than that, it’s a reflection of humanity.
The same is true beyond the workplace: people remember how you made them feel. And when you treat others well, they’re far more likely to return the warmth when you need it most.
“Offer a rose, and its fragrance lingers on your hand.”
A Mindset of Abundance
Generosity isn’t just a habit, it’s a worldview. It’s the belief that there’s enough to share. That giving doesn’t leave you with less, but often leads to more. Not always in material ways, but in connection, in support, in unseen blessings.
If you want to receive more from life, start by giving. Not because you expect something in return, but because that’s just who you are. Help others even when things feel ordinary, and when your own rough days come, you may be surprised who shows up for you.
People who withhold kindness rarely get to experience the sweetness of others’ generosity, because they never offered it themselves.
Funny People Can Discover Life’s Joy
Humour is its own kind of magic. It’s not about being the loudest in the room or always cracking jokes, it’s about having a spark. That spark can brighten someone’s day, ease a heavy moment, or turn even the most ordinary situation into something memorable.
People with this lightness tend to notice beauty in the overlooked, find humour in the ordinary, and joy in the small things. They make others feel welcome. Seen. Lightened. Like a patch of sunshine, they warm the space around them, often without even realising it.
The best part? You don’t have to be born “funny” to carry that light. You just have to be curious. Open. Willing to notice the joy in unexpected places.
Joy Attracts Connection
When you show up with a playful spirit, it naturally draws others in. People feel good around you. Conversations become easier. Relationships grow stronger. Even boring routines feel more fun when you approach them with a twinkle in your eye.Joy is contagious. It creates momentum. It attracts opportunities, strengthens bonds, and makes success feel not just possible, but shared.
And here’s the secret: that kind of energy isn’t about impressing others. It’s about being fully alive. When you carry that spark, life starts to reflect it right back to you.
“A joyful life is an act of rebellion in a world that sometimes forgets to be kind.”
So laugh more. Notice what’s lovely. Share your weird stories and your warm observations. Let your joy ripple outward, because that’s a form of generosity, too.
Final Thoughts: Live Kindly, Give Freely, Stay Curious
There’s no perfect formula for a perfect life. But there are timeless choices that make it feel rich with meaning: Live kindly. Give without keeping score. Stay curious.
The most beautiful lives aren’t always the loudest or most glamorous. They’re the ones that shine softly through acts of goodness, quiet generosity, and everyday joy.
So go ahead, be the one who remembers. Be the light in the room. Let your life be imperfect, and still full.
Because sometimes, that’s exactly what the world needs.
