I'm a big fan of Jordan Peterson, and he pushes the concept of "pursuing what is meaningful, not what is expedient." Now, obviously life isn't a binary choice between the two, but rather a constant balance of trade offs. Sometimes we're lucky enough to be able to do something both meaningful and practical. But I like the idea that we should be thinking more about what brings meaning into our lives than about what always makes the most logical sense.

What is the point of being wealthy if we aren't close to the ones we love? What is the point of extending our mortal existence if we didn't enjoy the journey? What is the point of safety if we never overcome a challenge?