I also spent a lot of time and energy on this topic and, for my own peace of mind, came to the following conclusion: Wherever I live my goal should be to live a happy life. To live a happy life, I need to learn the art of living.

My mind doesn’t want to be at the present moment. It either goes in the past or rolls over into the future. Also, my mind gets attached to pleasant situations that I experienced in the past or something I wish to have in the future. Similarly, it generates hatred toward unpleasant situations that I faced in the past or something that might happen in the future. When my mind is indulged either in the past or in the future, how am I supposed to enjoy the present (the truth)? In fact, this is human nature and it applies to one and all.

One thing should be clear that ups and downs are going to happen no matter where we are. Therefore, running after pleasant situations or running away from unpleasant situations is nothing but having a restless state of mind. The restless mind brings misery, not happiness.

On the contrary, if we learn to live in the present, we would be more alert and can face difficult situations more effectively, could see things with more clarity, and the decision we make would be the right one. Otherwise, living in the US if we make future plans in Nepal without knowing the ground realities then chances of being successful are slim. While in the US, live happily and grab the opportunities that arise. If we have to go back to Nepal, great! Going back home and having an opportunity to give back to our community, country is a great thing. Again, we should live in the present and see what is missing. It gives original ideas and we can be very creative in solving difficult problems. In fact, research shows that people who are serving others are happier than those who work to fulfill their own needs.

Mind is very powerful. Trained mind serves oneself to live a happy life. Untamed mind makes us miserable, sick, depressed, lazy, and what not! We spend lot of energy fighting with our own minds. We only focus on outside objects such comparing Nepal vs. the US. In reality we are fighting with our own minds. We should be at peace with our minds and live a happy life wherever we decide to live. When we are happy then only we can bring happiness in others.