Life, in perspective

I read "How much land does a man need?" by Leo Tolstoy in high school.

Have you read it? It's short and sweet, unlike his other epic novels. Here's what I can remember about this story. The farmers were given a chance to run from dawn to dusk around a piece of land, and if they could come back to the spot where they started by dusk, they would own that piece of land. So this one farmer, wanting a bigger piece of property, kept running farther and farther through the day using all his strength and might. Eventually, he did get back to where he started by dusk, but he was so physically spent that he die. They buried him in his own piece of land, "six feet from his head to his heel is all he needed."

I heard different ways which convey the same idea by different religions and philosophy, but still, the message in this story was loud and clear, and it really put my life in perspective since my early years.

So, what is the point of life? You may ask. I'm afraid this is not something anyone else can answer for you. Live, explore, and find what makes you happy and stick with it. When you have mastered it, keep it with you and explore something new. There will be lots of choices and people who can give you ideas, but in the end, the decision is all yours. Don't do things because that's what others want for their lives. Know that no matter what decision you make, you will come out alright. Just as long as you don't do something illegal, and more importantly, try not to harm other beings along the way.

This is my gift to you today.