Life is such a precious gift. We tend to spend the best parts of our lives in the pursuit of our ambitions without pausing to consider the purpose of it all. I have certainly been guilty of this basic fault of the human condition. But life has a funny way of bringing us all back down to earth

I mention these things because 2017 was full of the highest triumphs and the most humbling tragedies. It was a year of incredible loss — my mother died this past April, and several of my closest friends and colleagues have passed on to meet their makers. These were people like my colleague and fellow journalist Gwen Ifill, who pioneered a new path of success and achievement for women of color in journalism. The list includes my friend and financial mentor Dick Gregory, who achieved so much as an activist and champion for civil rights and healthy lifestyles. He was a giant among giants, who never tired of exploring and challenging the status quo, but was brought to the end of his life by the inexorable forces of time and human mortality that we all must eventually face.

Yet amidst the loss of so many close loved ones, this year has borne witness to personal and professional accomplishments that I could scarcely have imagined when I started out in the media business 30 years ago. I became the owner of one of the largest networks of minority-owned television broadcast stations. I was privileged during the recent election to be involved in a major way to lead a coalition of faith leaders in addressing some of the challenges facing our inner-city communities. My long-time relationship with Dr. Ben Carson, who became secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, has also given me a unique opportunity to influence the way in which some of these communities are shaped by government policy.

One cannot help but wonder what these accomplishments mean in the grand scheme of God's creation. What should we do with our limited time here on this planet that truly matters? All of the buildings will eventually crumble and our very bones will be dust in an instant; anyone who ever knew of our legacies will also fade into the vast forgotten spaces of history.

The answer to our purpose is likely to begin to take shape around our work and daily routines. How aware are we of how our thoughts, words and actions affect those around us? Are we building people up or dragging them down? Are we diligently pursuing our work or merely passing the time away? These simple practices allow us to create the opportunity to refine our character and cleanse our souls daily.

Although there are many opportunities that I have been afforded because of the blessings of wonderful parents, siblings, friends, mentors, wealth and health, I still find myself gravitating toward the same practices that have stood me in good stead over the years. Many of my colleagues have pointed out that despite not having to work for personal financial survival any longer, I work harder today than when I was seeking and striving to arrive at a place of prominence.

What am I working for? Why continue to strive in spite of my success? Whenever I take time to ponder these questions, they usually perplex me for some time. But whenever a close friend passes on to the next plane of existence or the great are humbled and brought low by death, it reminds me of why we struggle. We struggle and we strive because those are the surest signs we can have that we are truly living.

No one wants to merely exist. Mere existence is a purgatory that we would find unbearable without the daily struggles and challenges. For it is only through these struggles that we find our true purpose. Those who know me well know that I am fond of repeating the aphorism "the victory is in the struggle."

What we point to as life's victories — graduating from college, getting a promotion, purchasing a home, falling in love — are merely the side effects of prolonged struggle. Health is a result of struggle at the gym. Wealth is a side effect of the struggle to produce increasing value in the marketplace.

But what comes into clear focus as we grow in understanding is that none of these edifices we construct are permanent. They are all fleeting. And so, we struggle to grow in the face of ever-changing conditions. Along the road of this life-long mission to perfect ourselves, we can certainly take pause to experience success. But the fleeting nature of our accomplishments and the stinging prick of our setbacks will drive us on to greater heights.

To find out more about Armstrong Williams and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.