How to obtain a satisfactory future? || Acharya Prashant, with youth (2013)

Questioner (Q): In this present college scenario, there is one thing, which is the academics which I focus on, and there is an equivalent pool of activities which will help me develop my personality, in the sense that if I get better in a specific activity, it might help me in future, in my life. So, in general I may have the belief that I am good in academics and for that I need to excel in academics, but academics might not help me in my life, in the future.

How should I balance and how should I prioritize things? What is contentment? Is it right to compromise on contentment because I may do something today which will help me in the future, irrespective of whether it is making me happy or not? Is it the right way to lead life?

Acharya Prashant (AP): Thanks for raising this. There are two questions in this. First, what is contentment? Second, can it be obtained by doing something in the future?

Is contentment a thing of the future? The answer is contained in our own daily activities and what we see around us.

What satisfies a terrorist? Killing.

What satisfies a scientist? More time spent in the lab.

What is a Hindu interested in? Temples.