The little things, I can obey. But the big things - how we think, what we value - those you must choose yourself. You can't let anyone - or any society - determine those for you.

The tension of opposites: Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn't. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted. A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle.

Build a little community of those you love and who love you

When you look at it that way, you can see how absurd it is that we individualize ourselves with our fences and hoarded possessions.

Be compassionate, and take responsibility for each other. If we only learned those lessons, this world would be so much a better place.

Although you may be old or sick, it's not too late to take stock and ask yourself if you really are the person you want to be, and if not, who you do want to be.

It's not too late to develop new friendships or reconnect with people.