Some people feel immense suffering and think that life is too long. Then there are other people, who may be unhappy themselves, who want to live longer. And they haven’t really thought about it deeply, like: Why do I want to live longer? Do I want to live longer alone, with all my loved ones gone?

The more we really look at that, the more we can see that the purpose of life isn’t what age you can make it to. It’s really about how present we can be for the time we have. How many sunsets and sunrises do we miss? It does come from a good place, from a place of loving life and wanting that to continue, but it also needs balance.

We need to let go of the attachment to some number-based achievement, because whenever we go, we will probably not be thinking, Yes, I made it to the age I was hoping for. There’s no celebrating after we’re gone. In that sense, it becomes a bit of a morbid fascination. The more we can focus on living well, the happier and more fulfilled we will be.

On some level, survival is programmed into us. That’s why we eat and why we drink water. But it’s not meant to become a neurosis. It’s not meant to become a pursuit of immortality. Ultimately, it comes from a subconscious understanding of how precious this life is. And if we could have it for as long as we wanted, it would lose that preciousness.

That’s part of the essential design of this universe. Not necessarily that there was a designer, but it is designed in some way. Life is clearly going in a direction. That direction has led to all of us being here so far. We don’t know where it’s going, but we know we have a small part to play.

Even though we want to be immortal or known forever, these are concepts to be let go of. We will be much happier if we do. Everyone can do something. Not everyone needs to do something.

There is that beautiful Irish film, I can’t remember what it’s called, it has an Irish name, something like Miss Sharon or something similar. It’s about a man from a small village in Ireland. He wants to compose a piece of music that will last after he dies. He’s single and childless, and he wants to leave something behind.

But if we can’t enjoy a simple life, a life filled with love, family, and friends, if we can’t enjoy being a simple farmer, then we’re in real trouble. Because that’s what every other animal is here to do.

If we start playing the game of I wish things had been different or I hope things will be different, then we are never going to be okay with what is actually happening in front of us. And that’s a shame, because we are our own impediment to inner peace.

We can let it all go, the frustrations, anger, resentments, loss, and sadness. We can be present. But we struggle to turn our focus and attention away from the things that keep our mind entertained and active. Whatever we are focusing on, we are choosing, even if we don’t realize it.

We may not know how to refocus the mind, but that is a practice, and it’s a simple one. For most people, that practice is meditation. Just focusing on something and practicing maintaining that focus is often all we need to live the life we want.

If you’re not a Hollywood movie star, you can still be happy. You don’t need to be Mr. Beast. Everyone has the potential to be happy. Whatever people do on this planet, happiness is possible.

There is a miserable movie star and a happy one. There is a miserable garbage man and a happy one. And so, clearly, that is possible. If happiness doesn’t feel natural or effortless, then it simply means we need to put in some effort and practice.