The Human Experience: Aging, Regret, Wealth, and the Pursuit of Purpose – RESEARCH 2025

Universality of Aging and Human Limitations

No matter who we are, certain aspects of life are universal. Aging is one such inevitable truth: as a medical review notes, “aging is an almost universal truth that we all experience throughout our lives”, bringing changes across all of the body’s systems and requiring special care and management​pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. For example, muscle mass inexorably declines with age – on the order of about 3–8% per decade after age 30, with the rate of loss accelerating after about 60​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In practical terms, everyone’s body accumulates wear and tear: strength diminishes, joints stiffen, vision and hearing may fade, and chronic health issues become more common as the years go by. Modern medicine and healthy living can delay some effects, but ultimately no one escapes the biological reality of aging.

Alongside aging, humans share other bodily limitations and maintenance needs. We all need sleep, nutrition, and exercise to function optimally – basic requirements of our physiology that even the richest or most powerful cannot override. In fact, lifelong maintenance of our bodies and minds is required to sustain quality of life. Health experts emphasize the importance of adopting wellness habits early to stave off illness later on​pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This means that throughout life, people must invest time in exercise, medical checkups, mental self-care, and other upkeep. In short, certain tasks of life cannot be outsourced – you must do them yourself to reap the benefits (as motivational speaker Jim Rohn quipped, “you can’t pay someone to do your push-ups for you”).

Another common thread of human experience is family and caretaking responsibilities. Most adults eventually find themselves responsible for the care of others – whether raising children or supporting aging parents – creating a shared understanding of duty across generations. Parenting, in particular, is extremely common. In the United States, for instance, about 86% of women by their early 40s have become mothers (up from 80% a decade prior)​pewresearch.org, and a similar majority of men become fathers. This means the vast majority of people know the challenges of nurturing children: the sleepless nights with an infant, the juggle of work and childcare, the worries and joys of guiding a young life. Even those without children often end up helping with younger siblings, nieces/nephews, or acting as mentors – or later caring for a spouse or relatives in old age. Thus, the cycle of caregiving is nearly universal.

Bodily frailty and health issues likewise spare no one. From the common cold to more serious illnesses, everyone at some point faces health setbacks. While lifestyles and luck differ, the fact of bodily vulnerability is shared. A billionaire can afford top-notch medical care, but may still get cancer or suffer a heart attack; an Olympian at their peak will one day feel their strength wane. In the end, we are all human. As Viktor Frankl observed, “Even more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for”​meaning.ca – a reminder that being human is the great equalizer: we all confront aging, physical limits, and the need to find meaning in caring for ourselves and others over a lifetime.

Common Life Regrets: Missed Opportunities and Inaction

If these challenges are universal, so too are the reflections and regrets that come with life’s passing years. A striking pattern emerges when people are asked about their biggest regrets: the things not done haunt us more than the mistakes we made. Psychological research confirms that in the long run, inaction regrets (missed opportunities) far outnumber action regrets. In one set of studies, 76% of participants said their single biggest regret was not fulfilling an ideal or goal – essentially, wishing they had taken a chance or pursued a dream that they did not​news.cornell.edu. Only 24% named an “ought” regret (such as a duty or obligation they failed, or a wrong action they took) as their top regret. As Cornell psychologist Thomas Gilovich put it, “In the short term, people regret their actions more than inactions. But in the long term, the inaction regrets stick around longer.”​news.cornell.edu. In other words, the “could have, should have” moments – the chances we were too afraid or too idle to seize – are what tend to linger painfully in our minds decades later.

Real-world surveys echo this finding. A 2024 poll of 2,000 Americans found that people are more likely to regret the things they didn’t do than the things they did​entrepreneur.com. The most common regrets were telling:

• “Not speaking up” when it mattered – cited by 40% of respondents​entrepreneur.com. (How many relationships or opportunities faltered because we stayed silent?)
• “Not visiting family or friends enough” – 36% regretted not spending time with loved ones​entrepreneur.com.
• “Not pursuing their dreams” or passions – 35% listed this poignant regret​entrepreneur.com.

These regrets all point to hesitation or neglect, especially in one’s younger years when those chances were available. They highlight a common lament: “Why didn’t I go after X when I had the chance?” Missed educational opportunities, not traveling when one was young and free, not asking out that crush, not starting the business venture, not moving abroad – such roads not taken often top the list of lifelong what-ifs.

Even at life’s end, this theme persists. Palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware famously recorded the top five regrets of the dying, and the list has since inspired many to reexamine their priorities. The #1 regret Ware heard repeatedly was: “I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”​theguardian.com This most common dying regret is essentially about inaction – dreams unfulfilled due to choices not made. Ware reported, “Most people had not honored even half of their dreams and had to die knowing it was due to choices they had made – or not made”​theguardian.com. Other top regrets she documented include: “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard” (expressed especially by men who missed family time)​theguardian.com, “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends”​theguardian.com, and “I wish I had let myself be happier”​theguardian.com. Each of these involves, in part, things people didn’t do enough of – not spending time with family, not maintaining friendships, not choosing happiness or levity.

Notably, “not contributing enough value” or meaning is another form of regret that many articulate in later life. This can manifest as moral or legacy regrets – e.g. “I wish I had done more to help others” or “I should have contributed something that outlasts me.” In Ware’s list this sentiment appears indirectly (regrets about not expressing true feelings, or not letting oneself be happier could imply not living one’s values fully). Other research by author Daniel Pink, who collected thousands of regrets from people worldwide, found that “boldness regrets” (not taking the chance to act) and “connection regrets” (not reaching out to people when it mattered) are among the most common types, whereas pure “moral regrets” (times one wronged someone) are less common but still present​news.cornell.edu​news.cornell.edu. In sum, when people look back, what they lament most is inaction – the relationships left untended and the possibilities left unexplored.

The clear implication is a life lesson: **we tend to regret what we didn’t do. This knowledge has led many psychologists and philosophers to urge action over avoidance. It is better to try and perhaps fail or change course, than to never try and always wonder. As one entrepreneur’s survey response put it, the greater risk in life is often not that we tried and failed, but that we did nothing at all. The haunting specter of “what if?” seems far worse for the human psyche than any embarrassment or imperfection resulting from taking action.

The Limitations of Material Wealth

In modern society, it’s easy to assume money is the answer to life’s challenges. Wealth can indeed buy comfort, safety, healthcare, and opportunities – yet when it comes to the core challenges of the human condition, material wealth has stark limits. For one, no amount of money can halt the march of aging and bodily decline. Science has extended average lifespans and healthspans, but mortality remains undefeated. As aging expert Dr. S. Jay Olshansky flatly states: “It’s not possible to reverse your age”​vox.com. Billionaires may spend fortunes on anti-aging research, experimental treatments, special diets and personal trainers – but they are ultimately racing to age slower, not to stop time. An ultra-wealthy tech CEO can launch a “Rejuvenation Olympics” to compete at reducing biological age, or even receive blood transfusions from a young donor, but at best these efforts delay the inevitable​vox.com​vox.com. The fundamental truth is that we all get older, and we all die, and money only somewhat improves the odds of living a bit longer or more comfortably. In fact, the pursuit of “fountains of youth” by the wealthy is sometimes compared to snake oil sales of old: “People made the same claims 2,000 years ago about some magical elixir… The difference is that the fountain of youth is now being pushed by a lot of people who have a lot of money.”​vox.com. In other words, wealthy people can waste tremendous resources chasing miracles that biology refuses to grant.

Material wealth also cannot guarantee good health. While it buys access to the best doctors, one still might suffer a genetic disease or develop cancer. Steve Jobs, one of the richest men, died in his 50s from pancreatic cancer – a reminder that money can’t buy a cure for everything. Bodily fragility eventually humbles everyone. A global pandemic, for instance, could strike down prince and pauper alike. No wealth can purchase invincibility or eliminate the need to care for one’s body. Even the act of maintaining health – eating well, exercising, recovering from illness – must be done by the individual; you cannot hire someone to eat wisely or sleep for you.

Beyond the physical, consider purpose and emotional fulfillment. Money can fill your house with possessions, but it cannot fill the void of meaning. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist, observed: “Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.”​meaning.ca This captures a modern paradox: our material needs can be met while our spiritual or psychological needs starve. Many wealthy individuals report feelings of aimlessness after achieving financial success, asking “What now?” Purpose, identity, and a sense of contribution must be earned or discovered; they aren’t for sale. Indeed, studies find that materialism often correlates with lower happiness and life satisfaction – basically, those most focused on money and possessions tend to be less content. For example, one study noted that “materialistic consumers have low life satisfaction, which makes them depressed… highly materialistic people are both less satisfied and less happy about their general life than less materialistic people.”​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. The thrill of buying things is fleeting and does not solve deeper existential needs.

Regret, similarly, cannot be bought off. A wealthy person might attempt to distract themselves from regrets with luxury experiences, but late at night, the same “what ifs” creep in. If anything, wealth can exacerbate certain regrets: someone who “had it all” might more strongly feel they have no excuse for failing to live their dreams or help others. There are accounts of billionaires in old age deeply regretting not spending time with family or not giving back despite their means​quora.com​linkedin.com. At the end of life, the value of fancy cars or stock portfolios dwindles to zero, and what matters are relationships, experiences, and whether one’s life had meaning – none of which can be bought in a store. It’s telling that in one survey of the affluent, only 20% agreed with the statement “money can buy happiness”​cnbc.com. Even those who have enormous wealth recognize its limits in providing joy and purpose.

In short, material wealth mainly solves material problems – it can pay bills, provide comfort, and reduce certain stresses. But it does not solve the fundamental human challenges of aging, finding purpose, or avoiding regret. These require inner work, perspective, and how we spend our time – things which money alone cannot supply. As the old proverb goes, “You can’t take it with you.” People of great means still face the mirror each day and must answer the questions: Am I healthy?, Am I doing something worthwhile?, What will I wish I had done when I’m older? In many cases, having excess money can even be a distraction from these questions, unless one has the wisdom to use wealth as a tool for higher goals (such as philanthropy or enabling experiences, rather than pure consumption).

Even the Wealthy Must Do the Work (Personal Effort is Irreplaceable)

If money can’t buy an escape from life’s demands, what do those who have money do? Interestingly, many wealthy and successful individuals deliberately embrace challenging personal habits – engaging in the same kind of physical and mental work that any of us can do – to maintain their health and sharpness. In fact, one study of habits found that 76% of rich people devote at least 30 minutes a day to aerobic exercise​money.com. This is a striking statistic: despite having the means to hire help for many tasks, the wealthy prioritize doing exercise themselves, knowing that no one else can do it for your body. For example, British billionaire Richard Branson swears by his daily dawn workouts. Even in his late 60s, Branson was kitesurfing, playing tennis, or biking every morning around 5am – he claims staying active allows him to “achieve twice as much” in his day​money.com. Media mogul Oprah Winfrey similarly incorporates regular workouts and meditation into her routine, and tech CEOs like Tim Cook (Apple) and Jeff Bezos (Amazon) are known to hit the gym daily. Physical training is a common leveler: to be fit, you have to put in the effort, whether you’re a millionaire or not.

Likewise, many highly successful people engage in constant “brain-building” and learning activities, reflecting a recognition that mental growth cannot be delegated. Legendary investor Warren Buffett, despite being one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet, famously spends about 80% of his day reading and thinking to continually sharpen his mind​entrepreneur.com. He once advised students that knowledge accumulates like compound interest if you “read 500 pages every day”​entrepreneur.com – a regimen he himself follows by poring over financial reports, books, and newspapers daily. This almost monastic dedication to learning underscores a key point: even with limitless access to advisors and information, these leaders personally put in the time to expand their understanding. You cannot hire someone to digest knowledge into your brain; you must do the reading, reflection, or practice yourself. Microsoft founder Bill Gates, too, is known for taking yearly week-long retreats just to read and think deeply. Many top executives carve out hours for reading, taking courses, or refining their skills.

In terms of personal maintenance, even billionaires stick to routines to care for their mental and physical well-being. Consider Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, who despite his wealth, is known for his ascetic health practices. Dorsey reportedly eats only one meal per day, meditates for two hours daily, and takes regular ice baths as part of his regimen for mental clarity and discipline​vox.com. These habits – essentially forms of fasting and deliberate discomfort – are chosen because he believes they optimize his health and focus. It’s remarkable that someone who could afford a feast or a life of ease chooses constraint instead. Similarly, many Silicon Valley millionaires practice intermittent fasting, strict diets, mindfulness, and biohacking routines not unlike what an average health-conscious person might do (just perhaps with more expensive gadgets). The takeaway is that money doesn’t eliminate the need for personal discipline. In fact, those who achieve greatly often credit their success to such habits of discipline. Author and speaker Jim Rohn captured this well: “You can’t hire someone to do your push-ups for you.” No matter how rich or famous, certain exertions – exercising, learning, creating, even undergoing personal growth – cannot be outsourced. The wealthy who recognize this truth continue to “chop wood and carry water,” so to speak, just like anyone striving for improvement.

Finally, many wealthy individuals find that engaging in hands-on work or passion projects brings fulfillment that passive leisure cannot. Some continue working not for money but for meaning – for example, after selling their companies, it’s common to see entrepreneurs start new ventures, fund charities, or delve into crafts and hobbies that require skill and effort. The billionaire founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, still spends extensive time outdoors testing gear and practicing rock climbing into his older age. Many retired athletes or actors take up intensive new disciplines or mentorship roles. The thread here is that active engagement – using one’s body and mind – remains crucial for satisfaction, even when one technically doesn’t need to work. In fact, being relieved of the need to earn a living often frees these individuals to pursue more challenging personal projects (ultramarathons, writing books, learning instruments, etc.), further proving that humans thrive on activity and growth, not on endless idle comfort.

Action and Contribution as True Sources of Purpose and Fulfillment

If regrets teach us that inaction is poison, and wealth teaches us that external comfort is not the same as inner fulfillment, it naturally leads to the insight that purpose comes from what we do and contribute, rather than what we have. Over a lifetime, it becomes clear that meaning is crafted through actions – through striving, connecting, creating, and giving – not through achieving a state of perfection or consuming endless pleasures. Psychologists differentiate between hedonic well-being (pleasure, comfort) and eudaimonic well-being (meaning and self-actualization). While a balanced life has both, it is the eudaimonic dimension – living with purpose and contributing to something larger than oneself – that people cite as most fulfilling in the long run​news.cornell.edu​news.cornell.edu. When people pursue only personal enjoyment or material success (perfection of their lifestyle or consumption of more goods), they often find those rewards ring hollow once attained. By contrast, those who pursue goals that engage them or benefit others tend to report a deeper sense of satisfaction.

Philosophers and thought leaders throughout history have emphasized action and contribution. The Dalai Lama, for example, said: “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”​brainyquote.com. This simple wisdom highlights that fulfillment is an active process. You cannot buy or wait for happiness to arrive; it is a byproduct of doing – of the efforts you make and the positive actions you take. Similarly, Aristotle argued that the highest good (eudaimonia, often translated as happiness or flourishing) comes from living virtuously – which entails taking actions in line with excellence and goodness, not passively indulging. True joy seems to arise when we engage with life and especially when we help others or create value.

Modern entrepreneurs echo these age-old truths. Many prominent business leaders, after achieving financial success, turn their attention to giving back or tackling social challenges, finding renewed purpose in contribution. Microsoft’s Bill Gates is a well-known example: he has stated that his philanthropic work to eradicate disease brings him immense purpose that his earlier business triumphs did not. In a similar vein, LinkedIn’s co-founder Reid Hoffman has discussed the importance of “creating value” for society as a measure of a life well-lived, rather than one’s net worth alone. Contribution – whether to your family, community, or humanity at large – provides a sense of legacy and meaning that personal gains can’t match. It aligns with what psychologist Erik Erikson called the stage of generativity in later adulthood: an urge to contribute to future generations and make a positive mark. Those who follow that urge (through mentorship, creative work, charity, etc.) tend to feel more fulfilled than those who don’t.

Even on a day-to-day level, focusing on actions over ruminations is beneficial. Taking initiative – however imperfect – often leads to growth or new opportunities, whereas waiting for perfection or consuming more information can lead to stagnation. Many experts advise that if you feel lacking in purpose, start by doing something – anything that piques your interest or helps someone else – and purpose will begin to develop. This is because purpose is constructed, not found; it is built through active engagement. For instance, volunteering or picking up a hobby can snowball into a passion or a community role that gives one a sense of value. Passive consumption (whether of media, food, or luxuries) might give temporary pleasure, but it rarely yields pride or meaning. As people often realize in retrospect, the times they were actively creating, learning, or helping stand out as the most meaningful. A parent may find profound purpose in the act of raising a child – an endeavor of continual action and contribution. A craftsperson finds it in years of honing their skill to create something useful or beautiful. A teacher finds it in educating and shaping minds. In all these cases, it is the giving of oneself through action that creates fulfillment.

Viktor Frankl, who founded the school of logotherapy (therapy through meaning), observed that self-transcendence – rising above oneself by serving a cause or loving others – is the key to true self-actualization. “Only to the extent that someone is living out this self-transcendence of human existence, is he truly human,” Frankl wrote. One “becomes [their] true self… not by concerning [oneself] with self-actualization, but by forgetting oneself and giving oneself, focusing outward.”​meaning.ca. In essence, we find ourselves by losing ourselves in something worthwhile. This could be creating art, nurturing relationships, building a business that solves a problem, or advocating for a better world. Perfection is not required – what matters is engagement and intention. Even our flaws and sufferings can be given meaning if they drive us to grow or to help others (a theme Frankl famously explored in Man’s Search for Meaning).

Lastly, action and contribution combat regret. When you are actively living in line with your values, you generate fewer regrets – you are doing what matters, so there is less to wish you had done. Someone who tries their dream, even if it doesn’t fully pan out, often feels content that “at least I gave it a shot,” whereas someone who never tried will always wonder. Likewise, someone who invests in relationships and helping others is unlikely to regret those efforts; they’re more apt to say, “I’m glad I made a difference” or “I’m grateful for the memories with those people.” By contrast, a life aimed at personal perfection or pleasure can leave one isolated and unfulfilled, since perfection is unattainable and pleasures quickly lose novelty. This is why so often we see people with outwardly “perfect” lives (great job, beautiful possessions, etc.) still feel empty – they are missing the ingredient of purposeful action and connection. The consistent testimony of elders, wisdom traditions, and positive psychology research is that purpose and fulfillment are earned through what we contribute, not what we consume.

Fasting, Minimalism, and Physical Engagement for Clarity and Quality of Life

Interestingly, some age-old practices and modern trends alike recognize that “less can be more” when it comes to clarity and well-being. Practices like fasting and minimalism – which involve voluntarily restraining consumption – have been found to provide tangible benefits for mental and physical health, reinforcing the idea that actively doing or experiencing challenging things can yield deeper satisfaction than passive comfort.

• Fasting (Intermittent Fasting): Temporarily abstaining from food has long been part of spiritual and health regimens. Today, science is catching up to its benefits. Research indicates that intermittent fasting can improve metabolic health and even boost brain function. For example, a 2024 study on older adults at risk for cognitive decline found that an intermittent fasting diet led to improvements in memory and executive function, outperforming a standard healthy diet in those measures​news-medical.net. Other studies have observed improved markers of brain health and reduced inflammation from fasting. Many people also report a subjective sense of “mental clarity” after the initial hunger waves pass – an experience where one feels more focused and alert. One reason may be that, as the body switches to fat-burning mode (ketosis), it produces ketone bodies that can have neuroprotective effects. According to experts, when you fast and your body isn’t constantly busy digesting, “the energy you’d normally use to digest food is available to be used by the brain,” resulting in “clearer thoughts [and] better memory” once the body adapts​webmd.com. Fasting also seems to train one’s willpower and discipline – it’s a practice of mind over impulses. By consciously forgoing the immediate pleasure of eating, individuals often gain a sense of control and accomplishment that spills over into other areas of life (one study noted fasting significantly decreased people’s feelings of tension, anger, and confusion, suggesting a more stable, positive mood in those who fasted​sciencedirect.com). Of course, fasting should be done responsibly, but its resurgence in popularity (e.g. the 16/8 daily fasting model or 5:2 weekly model) speaks to the perceived improvements in mood, energy, and mental sharpness many users experience.
• Minimalism (Decluttering and Simplifying): Just as we can overload our stomachs, we can overload our lives with stuff and distractions. Minimalism is the philosophy of cutting out excess to focus on what truly matters. Psychologically, reducing clutter and possessions can have profound effects on stress and mental clarity. Neuroscience research shows that a cluttered environment taxes our brains. When too many stimuli are present, they “compete for neural representation… providing a neural correlate for the limited processing capacity of the visual system.” In plainer terms, “when your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus”​bewell.stanford.edu. A Princeton University neuroscience study found that people in an organized, tidy space could process information and focus far better than those in a messy space​bewell.stanford.edu. Participants were less irritable and more productive after clearing clutter​bewell.stanford.edu. Clutter has also been linked to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol, especially in women who feel responsibility for the home environment​bewell.stanford.edu. By embracing minimalism – whether through tidying up one’s home, simplifying one’s wardrobe, or curbing impulse purchases – individuals often report feeling “lighter” and more in control. An uncluttered space can translate to an uncluttered mind, allowing for calm and creativity. Minimalism also reinforces intentional living: you keep only items and commitments that align with your values, which fosters a stronger sense of purpose in daily activities (no longer drowning in extraneous stuff or obligations). In sum, paring down possessions and distractions can reduce stress and free up mental bandwidth, leading to greater clarity and even happiness. As one organizing expert put it, clear the clutter, clear the mind​bewell.stanford.edu.
• Physical Engagement (Exercise and Manual Activity): We’ve touched on how exercise is universally beneficial, and it indeed merits emphasis as a clarity-boosting, life-enhancing practice. Regular physical exercise doesn’t just strengthen the body – it sharpens the mind. Neurologists have found that aerobic exercise in particular triggers the release of BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) and other chemicals that improve neural health. According to Harvard Medical School research, exercise releases brain chemicals that enhance memory, concentration, and mental sharpness​money.com. This means a workout can function like a cognitive tune-up, improving your ability to think clearly and even lifting your mood via endorphins. Consistent exercise is linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety, better sleep (which itself improves cognitive function), and even a reduced risk of dementia in later years. Beyond formal exercise, physical engagement can include doing manual tasks or crafts – essentially using your hands and body in focused ways. Activities like gardening, woodworking, cooking, or even just taking a walk in nature all ground us in the present, provide a break from digital overstimulation, and often induce a meditative or flow state. These physical engagements reconnect us with the tangible world and our own bodily presence, which is very important in an age where many of us spend hours sitting and mentally scattered. There’s a reason many thinkers through history, from Aristotle to Darwin, favored long walks to stimulate the mind – the body and mind are deeply interlinked, and engaging the former often liberates and clarifies the latter.

In a world of abundance and constant input, practices like fasting, minimalism, and regular physical activity act as resets. They strip away excess and bring us back to fundamentals: a healthy body, a clear and attentive mind, and an appreciation for the basics (hunger makes a simple meal taste amazing; removing luxuries makes one grateful for small comforts; physical effort makes relaxation deeply satisfying). In this way, these practices contribute to an overall higher quality of life and mental clarity, helping individuals feel more in tune with themselves. It’s somewhat poetic that by voluntarily limiting ourselves or doing hard things, we actually expand our well-being. We regain sensitivity to joys that constant indulgence would numb. This aligns with ancient wisdom – nearly every culture has some tradition of fasting or simplicity for spiritual and mental benefits. Now, science and a lot of anecdotal evidence support that periodically dialing down consumption and ramping up purposeful activity is highly beneficial for the human mind and body.

Conclusion

In examining these themes – the universality of aging and bodily limits, the common regrets of inaction, the impotence of wealth against life’s core challenges, the habits of the successful, and the primacy of action and contribution for meaning – a cohesive message emerges: Our humanity is defined not by what we have, but by what we do with the time and abilities we have. We all walk a path from youth to old age, experiencing love, loss, growth, and decline. Along that path, what ultimately matters is how we walk it: Do we take actions true to ourselves? Do we invest effort in our growth and in others? Do we recognize that no one else can live our life for us? Those who do – who accept the hard work of life, engage fully, and contribute – tend to find purpose and fulfillment, and harbor the fewest regrets. Those who don’t – who perhaps try to buy their way out of discomfort or who hold back out of fear – often learn too late that you cannot escape the fundamental challenges of being human; you can only face them, hopefully with courage and heart.

The good news is that this understanding is empowering. It redirects us from chasing mirages (like eternal youth or the “perfect” life) and instead grounds us in values and actions that make the journey worthwhile despite its hardships. Aging and bodily decline remind us to cherish our health and time. Regrets instruct us to be bolder and kinder while we still can. The limits of wealth remind us that meaning must be cultivated, not purchased. And countless examples show that engaging in life – through exercise, creation, service, and even restraint (in fasting or minimalism) – yields richer rewards than passive consumption or avoidance.

In the end, we might summarize these insights with a simple formula: Live actively and authentically, focus on what truly matters (health, relationships, purpose), and do not defer your dreams or your goodness. Perfection is impossible, but progress and contribution are achievable every day. A life well-lived is not one without challenges, but one where those universal challenges were met with intentional action and a generous spirit. As a result, the life becomes full of meaning – and that is perhaps the greatest wealth one can accumulate.

Sources:

• Flint & Tadi. Physiology, Aging. StatPearls (2023): Aging is a universal process with broad impacts on the body​pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
• Volpi et al. “Muscle tissue changes with aging.” Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care (2004): Muscle mass decreases ~3–8% per decade after 30, faster after 60​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
• Pew Research Center (2018). They’re Waiting Longer, but U.S. Women More Likely to Have Children. (86% of women by age 40–44 are mothers)​pewresearch.org.
• Cornell Chronicle (2018). “The Ideal Road Not Taken” – Gilovich & Davidai research on regrets: 76% cite biggest regret as not fulfilling ideal self (inaction)​news.cornell.edu.
• Entrepreneur (Oct 28, 2024). Survey on Americans’ Biggest Regrets: Majority regret not speaking up (40%), not seeing friends/family (36%), not pursuing dreams (35%)​entrepreneur.com.
• Bronnie Ware, Top Five Regrets of the Dying (Guardian article, 2012): #1 regret is not living true to oneself (missed dreams)​theguardian.com; other major regrets include working too hard, not expressing feelings, losing touch with friends, not allowing oneself happiness​theguardian.com​theguardian.com​theguardian.com.
• Vox (2023). Inside the race to “de-age”: Quote from S.J. Olshansky: “It’s not possible to reverse your age”​vox.com, highlighting limits of longevity tech.
• Viktor Frankl – Quote from Man’s Search for Meaning: “Ever more people have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.”​meaning.ca. Also Frankl on self-transcendence and finding true self through giving to others​meaning.ca.
• Muller et al. (2011) via PMC study: Materialistic people report lower life satisfaction and happiness​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
• CNBC/Money – Tom Corley’s Rich Habits: 76% of wealthy individuals exercise ≥30 min a day​money.com.
• Money.com (2017). Examples of billionaire workouts: Richard Branson’s 5am exercise routine (achieves twice as much productivity)​money.com; Mark Cuban’s daily cardio, etc.
• Entrepreneur (2018). “5 Things Warren Buffett Does…”: Buffett spends ~80% of his day reading and thinking​entrepreneur.com.
• Vox (2023) on tech moguls’ health habits: Jack Dorsey’s one-meal-a-day, meditation, ice baths routine​vox.com.
• Dalai Lama XIV – famous quote: “Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”​brainyquote.com.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine & NIH study (Cell Metabolism, 2024) via News-Medical: Intermittent fasting diet improved memory and executive function in at-risk older adults​news-medical.net.
• WebMD (2021). How Fasting Can Benefit Mental Health: After adjusting, fasting leads to clearer thoughts and better memory as toxins are cleared​webmd.com.
• Princeton Univ. Neuroscience study (2011) via Stanford BeWell: Cluttered environments impair focus; clearing clutter improves information processing and reduces irritability​bewell.stanford.edu​bewell.stanford.edu.
• Harvard Health (2014). Exercise boosts brain health: aerobic exercise releases chemicals for memory and concentration​money.com.
• Psychology Today (2019). Benefits of Intermittent Fasting: Fasting linked to enhanced mental clarity, improved mood (via BDNF increases)​sciencedirect.com.