What lies before us and what lies behind us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us

Significant as they may be, the past for teaching us lessons and the future for providing us hope, we live, dwell and exist in the present. Just as an individual to himself is the most significant figment of existence, the moment he lives in is all that matters, for the past is gone and unchangeable and the future uncertain and undefined.

Man should breathe every moment with the sole aim of bettering himself, live a life of value and raise the standards he sets for himself. One thing a person will never regret at the end of his life is the values he cherished, the positive and productive goals he nurtured, the grit and determination he expressed in standing firm on what is the absolutely right thing to do.

Man is made of immense capability and strength to over haul the largest of obstacles in life; to accomplish huge and unimaginably sublime dreams and aspirations. We should put our heart to such dreams and nurture this capacity in us, develop it into the gigantic potential that we have.

An example that can suffice much of what I am trying to explain is that of Lance Armstrong, who fought testicular cancer to achieve the amazing fete of winning the Tour de France a record seven consecutive years. Now that is the nature of human potential and I believe every human has such capability lying dormant in him and it is only a matter of realization before one can embark on a journey of self discovery and attempt to achieve the near impossible, on the way displaying his reason d'être.

It is very important that we set our priorities right and put our energy in the right direction. Highly significant is the fact that every person discovers his innate capability and passion, his field of interest, the things that drive him and determine what he has been made for. Then he needs to relentlessly work towards that goal with zeal, rigor and discipline. He will suffer setbacks and challenges but to face them with courage and not lose hope will surmise how man can give true meaning to his life.

Would like to end with an Urdu couplet from Mohammed Iqbal, one of the most famous poet, thinker, philosopher and writer from the Indian subcontinent,

Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqdeer se pehle
Khuda bande se khud pooche bata teri raza kiya hai
(Exalt yourself so high that before issuing each decree of fate
God will Himself ask you, His servant, 'Tell me, what is your wish?')