Gratification comes when we are doing what we were meant to do and have passion doing it. We can achieve greater love, happiness and success in all areas of our lives when we are on a path that moves us deeply.

I don't remember who first told me life is short, but it obviously made an impression. Maybe my grandmother, who guessed I didn't think I'd ever be as old as her -- and she was younger than I am now when she told me. Remembering that has made all the difference.

I recently had dinner with one of my former students. When I got to the important question, "Do you find meaning in your work?" I was taken aback by her response.

Did the majority of these workers truly not find any joy or satisfaction in their working lives? Did they really find no meaning in the activity which took up most of their waking hours?

Thinking of your job as a way to simply make a living is so last week. The smartest organizations have cottoned onto the fact that people like us want meaning along with money.

In their lucid and levelheaded way, Kristof and WuDunn build a powerful moral case for fostering economic progress in the developing world by unleashing the potential of women.