Begin With The End In Mind

Stephen Covey, in his book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" list Habit 2 as "Begin with the End in Mind". This is good advice, although I am going to give this habit a twist. Everyone should begin with the universal end in mind. What is the universal end? It is death.

Steve Jobs also had the universal end in mind in his Commencement Address at Stanford University on 12th June 2005:
QUOTE
Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything – all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
UNQUOTE

It is sad to know that these men, who gave such wise advice, did not heed the wisest advice of all, which is from the Bible, which tell of the truly important truth - eternal life.
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3 KJV)

If you have eternal life, you would have solved the problem of death.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (1 Corinthians 15:55 KJV)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6 KJV)