Living a quiet and modest life

 “A quiet and modest life brings more joy than a pursuit of success bound with constant unrest.”
--Albert Einstein

Ironically, this note scribbled on a piece of paper by the famous scientist fetched $1.5 million dollars at an auction this month. Studies show that he's correct.

What worries me is that Americans continue to move in the opposite direction. More and more young people seem to want to be famous. Our television shows are still about the lies of wealthy people - opulent houses and fast cars. And yet consistently the places on Earth that report the most life satisfaction are almost entirely in Scandinavia and western Europe, where the social safety net is strongest and people, in general, have less to worry about and can just get on with the real business of life - meaningful relationships, play and exercise, artistic endeavors, and family. They work hard too, of course. But at all times they know that if they fail or fall their peers (in the form of the state) will pick them up, dust them off, and put them back on their feet.

All the while, Americans, and particularly American young people, are plagued by anxiety.

Collectively we must try less to buy the things we believe will make us happy, and that includes million dollar Einstein quotations, and instead strive to live quiet and modest lives. It seems to me there's a way to be ambitious and still be modest. To have time with your children, a small house or apartment, and an emotionally-rewarding career is not the American Dream, but maybe it should be.