The Three Characteristics are essentially tools for helping us look for happiness in the right places.

Wisdom doesn’t lie in simply accepting things as they come, but in seeing what you have to accept and what you don’t. And you won’t know the difference between the two unless you try to fight your way around unskillful states. That way you realize how much power you can have in the present moment.

You can’t go back and erase what you’ve done in the past, but you can make a difference right here in the present. If things aren’t going well, don’t simply accept them. See what you’re doing that’s causing them to be that way.

Our own body slips away from us, our friends slip away from us, and all we have left is our actions. So while you have the opportunity to act, do your best.

One way of pursuing happiness is to try to bend reality to conform to your pre-conceived notions. The other extreme is radical acceptance. But the Buddha’s middle way is to pursue your desire for true happiness in such a way that it doesn’t have bad side effects. This requires experimentation, risk-taking, precision, and attentiveness.

Your inner warrior is the determination not to come back and suffer ever again. Hold onto that attitude no matter what, for that’s what’s going to see you through.