The preeminent question of our time—the meaning of life—has been pondered by great philosophers (including Socrates and Henry David Thoreau) and debated by the most eminent organizations (the world’s religions and academic institutions). Undeniably, there are very few people who, particularly as they enter the middle and later stages of their lives, haven’t considered what life means: Why am I here? What am I meant to do? What am I meant to be? Have I accomplished anything of value in my life? What is my legacy?

This book arose out of my own search for meaning in my life. This search was prompted, more than anything else, by two realizations:

First, time; I became more conscious that it goes by much too quickly. Life seems to pass by so many people. The precious gift of time is given to each of us without any certainty, without the promise of a tomorrow. Therefore, as the saying goes, never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Second, regrets. I became more familiar with people who were entering the closing stages of their lives, who had profound regrets about what little they had accomplished during their time on earth. These people said that if they could do it over again, they would have overcome their jealousies and insecurities, and any other obstacles along their paths, and would have followed their own courses. In doing so, they would have left as “someone of value” to their families and their communities; their time on earth would have been worthwhile; and they would have had a purpose to their lives.

I became determined that this would not happen to me; I was determined to overcome my insecurities, to chart my own path, and to be able to say, when I look back over my life as it nears its end, that I fought the good fight, did what was right, and worked every day to make someone better or something greater.

And if I can do that, my regrets will be fewer and, more importantly, my life will have meaning. I will have mattered. I will have, in some small way, made the world a better place.