Harmony

In a far-off land, a wanderer embarked on a quest to seek happiness.

The Village of Revelry captivated him from the start. The road was lined with tiny, vibrant homes, creating a kaleidoscope of joy. The town square was the center of the celebration, filled with music, dancing, and laughter every day. The villagers lived in the moment, embracing every pleasure with open arms. Their lives seemed like an endless parade of joy.

Yet, as he lingered, the traveler noticed cracks in this facade of perpetual delight. The once charming streets now appeared worn out from the constant festivities. The vibrant colors of the villagers' homes had started to peel off. Although the laughter was still abundant, it carried an underlying tone of exhaustion. The villagers' relentless pursuit of pleasure had left them constantly seeking a higher high, causing them to lose sight of what lies beyond tomorrow.

Upon leaving, our traveler carried the echoes of laughter that rose and fell with the sun. 

The Village of Endeavor presented a stark contrast. Here, the villagers came together not to celebrate but to build. The streets were adorned with magnificent libraries, theaters, and concert halls so tall they appeared to touch the sky. The stones of the road were so clean that they shone brightly in the sun. The villagers took on a never-ending series of ambitious projects, working tirelessly from dawn to dusk to create a community they could be proud of. They toiled from dawn to dusk, eschewing the pleasures of today for the inevitable satisfaction of tomorrow. 

Yet, as he lingered, the traveler noticed cracks in the facade of perpetual fulfillment. The roads, while immaculate, were left unfinished as the villagers struggled to find stones worthy of finishing the path. The libraries, theaters, and concert halls were vacant, as the villagers had no time for such things when so much work was left to be done. Their satisfaction was always a day away. 

Discouraged, he set off again to find the fulfillment he desperately desired. As he walked, he reflected on what he had learned. The Village of Revelry lost itself in ephemeral pleasures, while the Village of Endeavor forgot to live in the pursuit of tomorrow.

It was then that he discovered a third path, leading to a village where balance reigned. This was the Village of Harmony, where former inhabitants of Revelry and Endeavor came together and integrated. Here, the villagers found joy in their daily endeavors and celebrated small moments while working towards building a future they could be proud of. They understood that true contentment lies in balancing the fleeting joy with the enduring glow of fulfillment.

As someone who has struggled with an addiction to ambition, I developed this parable to remind myself of the importance of balance in life.

There were times when I was so fixated on building a secure future that I missed out on the simple pleasures of the present. And then, there were times when I indulged in the present without any regard for my future goals.

Becoming a parent was a significant life change that forced me to confront this challenge head-on. Now, it wasn’t enough to be a great leader—I wanted to be a great dad.

After seeing a chart shared by Casey Woo, I realized that to achieve success (as I defined it) both at work and at home, I would need to be intentional.

Ultimately, I realized that focusing solely on the present can lead to a bleak future, just as obsessing over the future can make the present unbearable.

A well-lived life requires a balance between living in the moment and planning for the future.

A well-lived life requires harmony.

To you and yours, I hope you find harmony.