What Makes a Good Life?

In my opinion, the best kind of life is one free from constant pressure.

Wealth and fame may look glamorous from the outside, but if you're always tense and driven by stress, life loses its true flavor. That constant push to keep going can pull you further away from your authentic self—you forget why you started in the first place.

I'd rather live a life that’s relaxed and grounded, far from the noise and heavy burdens of ambition. Only when we are free from pressure can we truly think, create, and feel the pulse of life. Marrying into a rich or prestigious family has never been my dream—it often comes with invisible chains and the pressure to constantly live up to an image. What I long for is a partner on this journey of life—someone to walk beside me, lift me up, and explore the meaning of life together, soul to soul.

Lately, my daughter and I have had many deep conversations about life. She's much more emotionally mature than I was at her age. Her wisdom comes from reading—she’s absorbed countless books that opened windows into other worlds. My growth, on the other hand, came through lived experience—traveling far and wide, seeing the world with my own eyes, and tasting the bittersweet layers of life. She has her “ten thousand books,” and I have my “ten thousand miles.” Our paths were different, but they led us to the same place.

We often say, “Read extensively and travel widely,” but even more important is learning to quiet the mind—so we can truly understand ourselves and hear the voice within. And for that to happen, we must first release the pressure we carry and learn to give ourselves grace.

Though my daughter and I grew up in different cultures and very different societies, when we sit down and reflect on our journeys, we’re surprised at how similar our deepest pursuits really are: we’re both searching for a place where the soul can rest.

A life that’s not shaped by societal expectations, not driven by comparison, and not lived to meet others’ standards. A truly meaningful life may not dazzle the world, but it brings peace to your heart. It’s like a soft light that rises from within—illuminating your path, and gently warming those around you.