Life is a rich and precious gift given to us by God. The greatness of life is measured by what one has done with it. If one has not learnt how to manage one’s life and gain bliss, peace, happiness, and immortality, then life has been wasted. Do we ever ask ourselves the following questions: “What have I done with my life that I can be proud of? What have I achieved, by my own effort and not through sheer accident of luck or others’ goodwill, that is of lasting merit? How is the world a better place because I have been in it? At the end of my days, what can I offer at the feet of the Lord with love and joy, that will please Him and do Him proud?”

One’s actions indicate whether one is inclined to material or spiritual goals, nearer to happiness or not. Mere actions, however, do not bring about success and achievement.

Goswami Tulsidas, before he became a spiritual luminary, was passionately attached to his wife. One day she rebuked him, saying, “My body is but a mass of flesh. If you have for Lord Rama even half the love you have for my company, you would certainly gain Him and attain immortality. What have you done in your life for Shri Ramachandra?” That one question changed his life!

Ask again and again, “What have I done with my life this far?” This is a sure step towards gaining clarity and the right perspective on what true achievement is, and what actions are necessary as we go forward.

The author is the Head of Chinmaya Mission