As we meditated on our locked down lives through this COVID19 crisis, we realized that we had to put our goals of “conquering the world” or “living the dream” on indefinite hold, and just focus on survival. During the quarantine, we saw that we didn’t really need those unnecessary things we used to run after in the normal world, enduring the daily grind just to achieve our unicorn goals – that we have been brainwashed, through the glamorous lens of social media, into running after someone else’s goals, instead of determining our own meaning of success. Now, we have this desire to clean up and focus on what really matters.

How often do we struggle to delete unnecessary files from our hard drive just so we can clean it up? Does our home get filled up with so much useless junk because we can’t seem to let go of stuff, even if at the back of our heads, we know we have to get rid of them? It’s actually more complicated to simplify life. Found the perfect irony.

I thought of creating a formula that could guide us. The goal is to be contented and ultimately, have peace of mind. And in the most mathematical and simple way I can put it:

Contentment = Life MINUS unnecessary things PLUS things that matter MULTIPLIED by God. DIVIDE everything by people you love.

I made a little graphic of it below for everyone to share, if they find it useful as a guide.

MINUS all the things that puts a weight on your shoulder including negative people, stressful work, unnecessary material desires. Remove envy because it will just cause anxiety. Cut down and simplify pursuit of success that won’t matter anyway in the future. Focus only on activities that drive value to your business, and remove activities that waste your time. Meditate on your own meaning of success, and don’t run after someone else’s dream. This doesn’t mean that you will completely remove your diligent work – just learn to balance. Live an abundant, simple life.

PLUS all the things that matter and things that add value to your life such as family, prayer, time, and spiritual works. Meditate on what matters most in your life, and focus on them – because in the end, this is what makes you happy and contented. When building your daily schedules, always block first days and the time that brings value to you, and then plot things that drive results to your work or business. You will find that everyday brings contentment and satisfaction.

MULTIPLY everything with trust in God, and do faithful works all the time. Put in more time for collecting spiritual treasures. Read the scriptures day and night. In turn, He will MULTIPLY your blessings tenfold. Trust in God that everything will fall into place perfectly. MULTIPLY his disciples by talking to people about God.

DIVIDE your blessings and love for everyone.  Forgive people. Help people in need. Teach this concept to your children so that they to may start the right way.