The Uber Ride to Life Lessons

Every once in a while, life hands us a conversation that lingers long after it’s over—one that makes us stop, reflect, and see the world through a different lens. That’s exactly what happened to me recently in an Uber ride with my husband.

Our driver, who I’ll call Pham (name changed for privacy), greeted us with the warmest smile. His car was spotless, and he carried himself with the kind of dignity that immediately made you want to sit up straighter and listen. A true gentleman.

As often happens these days, our conversation started with the state of the world. We talked about how much things have changed, especially for young adults. With technology in their pockets, everything is available at the click of an app or button—rides, groceries, even instant connections with people halfway across the world.

It’s incredible when you think about it. I grew up in the days of pen pals, when writing a letter was the only affordable way to connect with someone outside your own country. Weeks or even months could pass before you’d get a response. There was a sweetness to the waiting, a kind of patient anticipation that’s almost foreign to us now. These days, we don’t really have to wait for much at all. Instant gratification has become the norm.

And while that’s a blessing in so many ways, I found myself wondering aloud with Pham: is it always a blessing? Or are we losing something in the process?

That’s when Pham shared his story. And let me tell you, it stopped me in my tracks.

A Journey of Survival

Pham grew up in Vietnam, and when he was young, his family made the brave decision to escape. But escaping wasn’t as simple as showing up somewhere and leaving—it was a matter of trust, timing, and survival.

It took twelve attempts before the people they paid to help them actually followed through. Twelve attempts. Imagine the hope and disappointment his family must have felt over and over again. Finally, one day, there was a boat waiting. They climbed aboard, filled with relief and fear at the same time.

But there was a cruel twist. The people who arranged the escape had only filled the boat with half a tank of gasoline. Half a tank. Not nearly enough to get to their destination.

Pham told us how he, his mother, and his brother were crammed onto that boat for seven long days with no food and no water. Seven days. I tried to picture what that must have felt like—hungry, thirsty, terrified, pressed together with strangers, not knowing if help would ever come.

Eventually, help did arrive. And because of that, Pham was able to start over in a new country and build a new life. He told us how, at sixteen, he began driving for a newspaper and has been working ever since.

Now, as a father, he tries to help his children understand how blessed they are. They’ve grown up in a world of abundance—where toys, technology, and opportunity are always within reach. He reminds them often: “I grew up with nothing.”

The Yoga Philosophy Connection: Santosha (Contentment)

As I listened to Pham’s story, I couldn’t help but think of yoga philosophy, specifically Santosha, one of the Niyamas outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Santosha means contentment. Not contentment because everything is easy, not because life always works out exactly as we want, but contentment that comes from within.

Santosha teaches us to find peace in the present moment, regardless of our circumstances. It doesn’t mean settling for less or avoiding growth—it means cultivating gratitude for what we have, right here and right now.

Think about Pham. Seven days on a boat without food or water is unimaginable for most of us. And yet, his story wasn’t told with bitterness or anger. It was shared with gratitude—gratitude for survival, gratitude for opportunity, gratitude for the life he has been able to build.

Contrast that with our culture of instant gratification. We’ve gotten so used to things happening quickly that even small inconveniences can send us spiraling. The Wi-Fi is slow. The line at the coffee shop is too long. The app didn’t load fast enough.

Pham’s story reminds us of something vital: we don’t have to wait for perfect conditions to feel grateful. In fact, Santosha teaches us that contentment doesn’t come from the outside—it comes from the inside.

The Practice: Cultivating Santosha

So, how do we practice Santosha in our daily lives? It’s one thing to talk about contentment and another to live it. Yoga gives us tools to bring this philosophy into action.

Here’s a simple practice you can try this week:

1. Morning Gratitude Breath
   When you wake up, before you reach for your phone or get out of bed, place your hands on your heart. Take three deep breaths. With each inhale, imagine filling your body with light. With each exhale, whisper silently: Thank you.It could be thank you for your breath, your bed, or simply for waking up to another day.

2. Shift the Lens
   The next time you catch yourself frustrated by something small—slow traffic, a delayed email, a long line—pause. Ask yourself: Is this really a problem, or just an inconvenience? Then name one thing in that moment you’re grateful for. Maybe it’s the fact that you have a car to sit in, or the time to pause and breathe.

3. Contentment on the Mat
   During your yoga practice, notice where you push for more. Maybe it’s straining in a pose, comparing yourself to how you practiced yesterday, or wishing your body were different. In that moment, practice Santosha by honoring exactly where you are. Take a softer variation. Breathe deeply. Whisper to yourself: This is enough.

4. Evening Reflection
   At the end of the day, write down three small things that brought you contentment. They don’t have to be big. A kind smile, a good cup of tea, a laugh with a friend. Over time, this rewires the brain to notice abundance instead of lack.

Let’s Tie It Up In Bow

That Uber ride was more than just a trip from point A to point B. It was a reminder that wisdom can show up anywhere—in conversations with strangers, in shared stories, in the simple act of listening.

Pham’s life experience is a powerful example of resilience and gratitude. He came from nothing, endured suffering most of us can’t imagine, and yet built a life filled with meaning. His story reminds me that while we live in a world of instant gratification, true contentment doesn’t come from what we can click, buy, or order. It comes from within.

Yoga, at its heart, is about union—bringing body, mind, and spirit together. Santosha helps us bring union to our daily lives, reminding us that peace and joy aren’t waiting on the other side of the next accomplishment or convenience. They’re available here, now, if we choose to see them.

So, the next time you’re tempted to get swept away in frustration or comparison, pause and remember: contentment is not about having everything. It’s about realizing you already have enough.

✨ Your Practice Today: Take three deep breaths and silently say, Thank you.