I have been following a podcast whereby Ajahn Amaro over many sessions with his students discussed a book co authored by him entitled "The Island".
During Q&A time, a particular student repeatedly over a few sessions expressed dismay over her inability to let go of her attachment to "self" ie. her thoughts are always centered around "Me, My and mine".
In response Ajahn Amaro reiterated many times that her very "awareness" of her thoughts and preoccupation is in itself a huge step forward ie, the ability to view herself separately and not being totally immersed in herself.
He then went on to make a statement which somehow strikes me. He suggested that she aligns her approach this way- "If I can be at least a bit more aware, my life would not have been wasted".
I think sometimes we bash ourselves up too much not forgetting we are just human. We also often question what we have achieved this lifetime etc
I feel Ajahn's statement can provide a long term guidance or serve as a prevailing purpose. You can fill in with whatever you hope to achieve. For example you can say "If I can be at least a bit kinder towards others, my life would not have been wasted".
Maybe we can put it as a sticker on the fridge to remind us consistently and hopefully over the long span we can look back with content and agree that our life has not been wasted.
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The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love- William Wordsworth
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