November arrived with the unmistakable feeling that change is in the air. After the intensity of the previous few weeks, I had hoped for a little breathing space. Instead, the month began with new conversations, shifting expectations and a growing awareness that the coming months could look rather different from what I had originally imagined.
At work, changing dynamics have prompted me to think more carefully about what I want from the next chapter of my professional life. There have been moments of frustration, certainly, but also some unexpected clarity. I’ve realised that having choices matters enormously, and that preparing for different possibilities is not necessarily a sign of uncertainty. Sometimes, it is simply good sense. That realisation has brought a fresh burst of excitement. Ideas that had been quietly simmering are beginning to take shape, and I find myself looking forward to exploring them. There is something wonderfully liberating about imagining a future built around work I genuinely enjoy.
The week also brought a particularly uplifting experience: connecting with a group of women whose conversations reminded me how much I value curiosity, thoughtful exchanges and the possibility of new friendships. Finding people with whom one might share an intellectual connection is a rather lovely feeling. And now, as Deepavali arrives, I find myself thinking about light in a slightly different way. Not just the lamps we illuminate, but the clarity that comes from recognising our own possibilities. Perhaps this week’s lesson is that sometimes, the most important change is not what happens around us, but the moment we realise we have more choices than we thought.
The founder of Epicureanism, a school of philosophy centred on achieving a peaceful and fulfilling life, ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus’ teachings emphasised that lasting happiness comes from tranquillity and the wise management of our desires rather than the endless accumulation of wealth or possessions. His quote reminds us of a simple but often overlooked truth: our constant pursuit of more can sometimes prevent us from appreciating what we already possess.
Human beings naturally have aspirations. We want better opportunities, greater financial security, meaningful relationships and experiences that enrich our lives. There is nothing inherently wrong with wanting to improve our circumstances. However, problems arise when our attention becomes so consumed by what is missing that we lose sight of everything that is already good. We might spend years working towards a particular goal, only to discover that achieving it brings satisfaction for a surprisingly short time. Almost immediately, another ambition takes its place. The finish line keeps moving, and happiness becomes something perpetually postponed.
Epicurus encourages us to recognise this tendency and question whether every desire deserves our attention. Some aspirations genuinely improve our lives, while others arise from comparison, social expectations or the mistaken belief that possessing more will automatically make us happier. Importantly, contentment is not the same as complacency. We can appreciate our present circumstances while continuing to grow, learn and pursue meaningful ambitions. The difference lies in whether our desires enrich our lives or diminish our enjoyment of them.
Perhaps the greatest wisdom in this quote is the reminder that happiness need not always be waiting somewhere in the future. It can exist in familiar routines, cherished relationships, good health, small pleasures and the freedom to live according to our values. We can look forward to tomorrow without forgetting to appreciate today.
This, in verse 9.22, the Bhagavad Gita talks about the fear that people carry when alone. Many people carry the fear that they are alone in facing life’s challenges. Krishna offers reassurance. When our lives are anchored in higher values, we are not abandoned to chance. This verse does not promise a life without difficulty. Instead, it reminds us that support often arrives in unexpected forms: a helping hand, an opportunity, a moment of clarity or the strength to continue. Trust does not remove obstacles. It helps us walk through them.
This week I learned that there are difficult moments that leave you wondering, “How did I end up here?”. Those moments can make you question everything. You replay every decision you made, every turn you took, searching for the answers that might explain why life began to look so different from what you had imagined. You wonder if you failed or if there was something you could have done to prevent it from happening. But this isn’t always a helpful way to look at things. You don’t have to make sense of everything immediately. Instead, allow yourself the space for a more meaningful perspective to emerge. Sometimes, feeling lost is the first step toward finding a path that feels more aligned. From here, another reality is still possible.
As homes glow with the warmth of countless lamps and families gather to celebrate Deepavali, may this festival remind us that even the smallest light can make a difference in the darkness. May the coming year bring peace to our hearts, warmth to our relationships and the courage to welcome new beginnings. May we find reasons to be grateful for what we have, strength to navigate what lies ahead and wisdom to recognise the blessings hidden in ordinary moments.
Wishing everyone celebrating a beautiful Deepavali filled with love, laughter, good health and happiness. Happy Deepavali! May the light within us always shine brightly. 🪔
