There are so many existential questions that we can ask about our lives and the world that it’s possible to overlook answers even when they are apparent. If we have grown accustomed to a lack of clarity, when a chance for clarity presents itself we may be skeptical.
Skepticism in the face of obviously correct answers is unfortunate because if we indulge in it, we are depriving ourselves of genuine happiness. For example, if we succumb to a tendency to fixate on the future, our lives can become governed exclusively by fear. We would spend all our time worrying about what might happen tomorrow when all the while today we are doing just fine in the present moment. In that scenario, all our efforts are tragically wasted.
But, if we would just let go of our worries and instead bring the mind into the present moment, we would see that this in and of itself is the answer that we are searching for. How could it be so simple? The catch, as it were, is that we have to actually train ourselves to bring the mind into the present repeatedly. So the fix is intellectually simple, but practically, it takes effort and training.
Thankfully, the Buddha designed a training program so that all of us could learn how to be more mindful. If you make the decision to train the mind through insight meditation, your efforts will not be wasted because you are developing the habit of being happy which you can tap into over the long-term.