How will we know the depth of the river? By measuring it. How are we going to measure it if not by swimming in it? A painful journey will lead to the destination. Every piece of advice, book, or teaching will have a limited influence on our life if we are not living in the moment and traveling in it.
Most of us give up on life without even trying. As a result, the guilt keeps biting them till their death bed. What could have and not in the past keeps eating their present.
We seek external validation and advice, which does no good. We get lost because we are not taking the journey but leaving it there.
Most of us die of regrets and not taking the path less traveled. We create imaginary obstacles in our way.