Several years ago, I began wondering what the older generations had learned from life and resolved to ask them one simple question when the opportunity presented itself: “If you could give me just one piece of life advice, what would it be?”

Here’s some common answers I’ve received over the years that I like best.

• “Don’t work too hard at the expense of your family. Find the sacred balance”

• “Tell the truth, even when it’s hard and inconvenient”

• “Approach every day as a gift because we never know about tomorrow”

• “Love others even when they’ve hurt you, and don’t forget the importance of forgiveness”

The people who’ve lived longest have the clearest perspective on what actually matters. Both research and revelation point to the same conclusion: the meaning of life isn’t found in achievement or acquisition, but in relationships, service, and the daily choice to find joy despite circumstances.

Whether grounded in empirical study or eternal truth, the message is clear: Don’t wait for the perfect moment to start living. The moment is now. The choice is yours. And time, as our elders remind us with urgency born of experience, is shorter than you think.

What’s the best life advice you’ve received from an elder? And more importantly, are you living it?