Be, Don’t Chase

Some of the things we most desire—happiness, wisdom, and respect—tend to run away when chased. They’re not earned through direct pursuit, but revealed by living in a way that naturally invites them.

If you want to learn, don’t just read about how to learn—do. Doing sparks curiosity, reveals what you don’t know, and transforms effort into understanding. Action is the teacher that reading only introduces.

Happiness works the same way. It doesn’t come from constant reflection or striving for it, but from losing yourself in meaningful activity. The less you focus on yourself, the lighter you feel. Flow replaces self-consciousness; engagement replaces anxiety.

Even status follows this rule. Those who chase it rarely find it. Proper respect is granted, not demanded; it comes from quiet competence, from doing the work without needing the recognition.

The things that run when chased often come to those who move with quiet purpose instead.