Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time.
- Victor Hugo -
When was the last time you thought about life ending? When was the last time you evaluated the value, passion and energy you inject into your life? When was the last time you thought about your life ending?
We all have an allotted time, what's unknown is just how much and exactly when that time may cease. It may be an abrupt end: a vehicle accident, medical condition or workplace accident. It occurs much more slowly also, a terminal illness for instance. Either way, the inevitable fact of life is death. I know, it's not nice to think about, but someday you'll be dead, as will I; but not just yet.
I don't know what constitutes value in your life but am certain that what you perceive or count as valuable will differ from other people's perception; we like different things and it's our differences that keep things interesting - it's something that should be celebrated. However, what's common is that we find value and that provides enjoyment, happiness, fulfilment and contentment and, of course, dissatisfaction and discontent when we lose them, or fail to gain them in the first place.
Can you think of something you value? I certainly can. Would the enjoyment in my life be diminished through the loss of those things? Of course, that's what makes them valuable. But what has the highest value in life, yours or mine?
I can't speak for you, but for me I think time is the most valuable thing I possess. If I was out of time I suppose that would mean I'm dead. Time is life and its an incredibly valuable commodity to a human, especially as it becomes shorter with each passing minute.
What would you do today if you knew tomorrow was the end of your life? What would your year look like if you knew in exactly three hundred and sixty five days from now you will be dead? Once more, I can't speak for anyone else, but for me...well, I'd certainly not waste any time...not a single moment.
What constitutes a waste of time is subjective and specific to each of us. You may think it's a waste of your time reading this post, and I may have gained great value from the twenty minutes it took me to write. All I know is that no matter who you are, where you were born and no matter your socio-economic background, you've wasted time.
It's ok though, you've got more, at least in the very immediate future, beyond the next few moments...who knows? I guess what's important is to see the value of time and to determine whether we're gaining value in the things we think, how we act and what we do...or not
I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here and, if I'm honest, maybe nothing at all.
Writing things like this help put things into perspective though. Thinking about my thoughts, attitudes and actions allows me to evaluate them and determine if there's value or not and, importantly, allows me to make the necessary adjustments in the advent I determine I'm time-wasting. So, maybe I'm not trying to say anything at all, just remind myself that time moves, no matter what I do.
Today marks the day upon which I lost someone very close to me in tragic circumstances and I always feel somewhat absent when the date rolls around each year.
I think about the person, not yet thirty years old, and the life they lived, the hopes and dreams they spoke of...and the sight of their body laying before me, still, eyes closed forever; a vibrant life, gone. I still recall the last words the person spoke to me and it's those words I repeat out loud on this day as if to honour the person's memory and remind myself that I'm alive. It feels right and I think my friend would approve, and they were very wise words.
We all have an allotted time and we can choose how to use it. I see it as time to value and waste in the proportions we feel are appropriate. I understand younger people see things a little differently; the end of days seems so far away, but I know differently, it might not be so far away at all. I know it could be tomorrow, or the next day or the one after that; it's for that reason I work towards not wasting time.
I guess, what I mean here is that I work towards being present in the moments of my life, truly present, no matter what I may be doing, thinking or feeling. It's through that presence I find value whether it's hiking in the wilderness, working with my hands, spending time with significant people in my life or alone...I do it passionately and with conviction because it's all I have, that very moment, and it's worth my best effort.
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
I photographed the watch image in this post myself.
