It’s not often that a speaker claims to know the one, simple answer to life. That answer that applies “to pretty much every situation” you might ever come across. In fact, if anyone ever tells you that they know the secret to life, you better take out your notebook and write like hell, which is exactly what I did at the 2013 TEDxPeachtree when Rossin took the stage.

Rossin is a world-renowned large-scale portrait artist and many of his works are on display at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. We are lucky enough to have him as an Atlanta resident and I was thrilled when I saw his name on the TEDxPeachtree program last year. Rossin’s skills as an artist are incomparable, but his wisdom and relatabilty were what left me awe struck after his presentation. In eight short minutes, Rossin taught 40 years worth of life lessons, all culminating in what he called “the one simple answer to all questions.”

So, what is the secret to life? Find out below:

Molly Heacock is the Community Relations Director at CARE for AIDS, an Atlanta based non-profit that works with men and women affected by HIV/AIDS in Kenya. She lives in Ormewood Park with her husband and dog, and cannot get enough of TEDxPeachtree.