When we look at the value of this precious human life and everything we can do with it and then remember our mortality, it helps us to make good decisions and set our priorities. When we know we have limited time, we are not going to waste it. We are going to use our time for what is valuable instead of getting involved in stupid things we may regret later. This insight is very valuable.

As I travel around the world and meet people, many ask me for advice about all sorts of problems: “What do I do with this problem at work, with my relationship, friendship, with status or money?” They have a lot of confusion, not knowing the situation clearly, and are unable to make wise choices. This is because the mind is clinging to the happiness of this life and getting confused about how to attain it.

Somebody may say, “I want to have extensive wealth,” and then gets confused over which career to go for. That is the kind of confusion people suffer from when there are a lot of opportunities. The mind does not know how to focus on what is important and is all over the place, “I want everything, all at once. Without ifs, ands, or buts, and without having to give up anything, or having to exert myself too hard.”

Some people have a very nice, well-off family and go on vacations, but the hotel is never good enough. The food at the resort is never good enough. The travel takes too long, and they come back exhausted.

Think about what is important in your life. Is having a lot of money really the most important thing in your life? Is it what is going to bring you ultimate happiness? Is going on all these vacations the thing that you need to do to keep your friends? If you do not go on vacations like your friends, are they going to think you do not fit in with them? Question these things and think about what is really of ultimate value in your life, given that we are not going to live forever. If we can really think clearly about this, and what is of value, then often much of our confusion drifts away and we know what to do. We become more satisfied because we realise, “If this is what I want, I am not going to be able to have everything all at once, so I am choosing what is most important. If that means relinquishing something, that is okay, because I know what is important. I want to focus on what is meaningful and important in life.” That brings us a certain clarity, a certain kind of satisfaction.

“365 Gems of Wisdom” e-book is out now!