[karizmua]

This is what I’ve found:

They said he had everything. But he doesn’t even brag about it. His countenance is peaceful and contented. I decide I must talk to him. After a brief introduction, I begin to interview him.

“Sir, I’ve heard so much about you. Your properties are well-numbered; and your accomplishments are fascinating. As a youth, I have so many dreams, and I wonder what I need to do to make my life worthwhile.”

He tilts his head up. Silence hangs in the air. Then, suddenly, he begins to talk. “I understand that there’s so much you want to acquire and accomplish. So I want you to learn from my mistakes. In order for you to do so, you must remember the following:

“1. Do not crave material possession. They amount to nothing. I received everything I wanted; but none of it ever made me happy. It all filled my eyes with beauty, while leaving my heart empty.

“2. Ambition and efforts to advance in life are valueless. It’s not wrong to engage in intellectual advancement, or to reach for you dreams. But they, too, will never satisfy you. I believe it’s better to be wise than remain a fool. The wise man has direction, while the fool stumbles. However, in death, both the learned and the unlearned are the same.”

At this point, my curiosity changed to confusion.

“Pardon me, sir,” I mumbled. “I just don’t understand. What then, does a person gain from all his labors and accomplishments?”

“I’m afraid, my child, that the answer is nothing.”

“So how can life be meaningful?” I demanded.

“I wish I could offer you a sampler of worthwhile things to do under the sun to make your life meaningful. But my child, I know of only one. That is to search God. In reality, there’s no answer to life and all its problems aside from God.