On the one hand, we should do what’s in front of our nose. On the other hand, isn’t it important to think long term?

Lama Ole’s answer:

As a Buddhist, you have a much better chance than most to choose what benefits beings in the long run. This is because you decide without fear and attachment, out of a state of freedom and with a broad view.

Most humans behave like American industries: they have just invested money in the factory but they want to take it out again right away. The smarter ones act like German or Japanese industries: they invest; the investment grows and stabilizes, and in the end they get a lot out of it.

With the Buddhist overview, you can see both what feels good to do before summer and what will be good later when you are sixty and still want to do a lot for others. Right now it is very important for you to observe your mind as well as you can in all states, extremes, and experiences, and to learn from everything that happens. It is important to do this now while you are free to go through it all. Later, when the body demands more, you should have the most pleasant possible conditions in which to work. It is not about becoming bourgeois but about always being as useful as possible.

Every time you have gone through something and learned from it, then others who have to learn the exact same thing will come to you! And when you realize this, you’ll want to learn and do even twice as much, because this way you can benefit beings better.