This is taken from a blog post by I Am Galla and quoted from Chuck George. I thought it particularly inspirational. 

Life is a glimpse, a very short moment in time. Why live it for anything other than for your self ? A strong sense of self is key. If you have that, you can do anything. I'll leave you with a quote from one who defines the ideal,

"Better to have a short life that is full of what you like doing than a long one spent in a miserable way." – Alan Watts