Too many people do not discover how to live until it is time to die. They spend the best years of their lives chasing that illusory pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, working long hours, neglecting their families and their health in the process only to find that, at the end of the day, their obsessive pursuit of a fat bank account and the coveted corner office did not bring the deep fulfillment that they craved.
Too many of us miss out on the simple gifts that every day brings like the glory of the sunrise or the laughter of a young child because we are so busy trying to make a living we have lost sight of the real meaning of life. Then one day, in our twilight years, we finally reflect on "what could have been" and our hearts flood with regret over school concerts missed, family vacations not taken and magical moments lost. Perhaps Henry David Thoreau said it best when he observed: "Most people dread finding out when they come to die that they have never really lived."
There is nothing wrong with great achievement. I believe that a life without career success and professional fulfillment is an incomplete life. We all have a deep human hunger to create something great through the work we do and shine in our chosen occupations.
The point of wisdom is simply this: do not sacrifice a joy-filled life for the sake of achievement. Instead, joyfully achieve. Balance your commitment to being the best you can be at work with a deep commitment to being a great family person and loving friend. Understand that without balance in every core area of your life, you will never find lasting happiness and a sense that you have lived well.
As Gandhi noted: "One can not do right in one area of life whilst he is occupied in doing wrong in another. Life is one indivisible whole."
Love
Mohandeep Sandhu
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