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.
Value
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?
Time
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.
Waste
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.
Time to value and waste
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.
It's something I've been thinking about a lot lately too. I've realised how much I've taken for granted before thinking there would always be more time - until there isn't. I've watched milestones of life trundle past me, everyone else's milestones but have not been invested in my own. I know the reasons and I'm trying to unlearn them, but holy crap it's hard some days.
I know that you place a lot of emphasis on those you care for and where you spend your time, so it's a good reminder to shape it up. I'm so sorry about your friend, I'm sending condolences.
Designing and creating ones ideal life is shaping it up and it's important for a person to know what it looks like then actively pursue it.
I know there's people out there who are happy to float through life and let it happen as it may, and if that's their desire and choice, so be it. However exerting some influence on life, taking charge, is a better way to attain the best result. Still, some will now, and often they're filled with regret later on.
I really enjoyed this post. Time is something I've been thinking about recently. I don't believe many concepts can be understood until one understands time. Time is money, so they say. Time is the most valuable currency because you can't make more of it. People want to get rich, but they don't understand time. So they waste their money, just like they waste their time.
Two young parents died recently a few miles from my house. They were killed by street racers. They had two 7-year-old daughters in their mini-van. Luckily the daughters survived the crash with minor injuries. But both parents died instantly. The parents thought they were going to all have a nice dinner together, but sadly it was their last.
Time for the husband and wife was up. How would they have lived their lives if they knew it was going to be cut short like that? The street racers wasted their time, and their life. Now they have to carry the burden of knowing they orphaned two children.
Time is a heavy topic because death naturally becomes part of it. You stated it perfectly with the question of "When was the last time you thought about your life ending?"
Thinking about one's demise, or that of someone close to us, is unpleasant and I don't think it should be dwelled upon. Acknowledge that it will happen, and move on with life. But people just don't at times. They become weighed down with unimportant things, fail to take advantage of the time they have and then regret it later.
Your parent story is tragic, I'm sure one that has been repeated around the world. It's a good reminder that spending time doing those things that provide value is the best policy.
I fully agree with you, in my opinion time is the most important resource we have; we don't know how much we have available, the only certain thing is that it must be exploited to the maximum by trying to live the life we desire by chasing our dreams and trying to pursue happiness. I hug you!
Each of us must live the best life we can possibly create, or so I believe. To do otherwise seems wasteful. The thing is, that some just wander along through life without exerting any force upon it, giving it direction or purpose. It's sad really.
Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it.
"Value" is a really interesting word, isn't it. Once one removes the concept of "money" from any definition of "value" the term takes on a whole new meaning.
My personal goals are to prepare my children for their own lives (or at least try to) and then find ways to grow as a person. Or try to. I like to learn things, do things, build things, and experience new things. And play with my dog.
I agree, it's the same with wealth which most simply relate to money. Both value and wealth apply to other things though, one could be a wealth of valuable knowledge, for example. (See what I did there?)
I think your goals are rather valid to be honest and would provide a lot of value in the process towards them and through attaining them which, considering what they are, would likely never fully happen...that's how it should be I think...a constant pursuit.
You said it very well; because death is a fact of life, we should not fritter away our time on trivial matters but rather devote it to activities that will have a positive impact on our lives. Because we will not be able to retrieve any time that we have squandered in the past, we must make the most of each and every minute that we are given here on earth.
Yes, time only goes one way, and for humans has a limit, so it seems like a smart thing not to waste any with valueless things, although many do. I think we've all wasted time at some point, but knowing that and rectifying it is the main thing.
Thanks for your comment.
Indeed, time well spent is a must. Time wasted cannot be brought up again. Everything is just passing by. We have to create good memories with our loved ones. This article hits me more, it makes me to ponder and weigh things properly. So many what ifs but I know there is God who sees and plans everything. Thank you sharing this one. Stay safe and God bless.
Making the most of our time, creating life as we would like it to be, means we're less likely to have regrets later.
Exactly, 100% true.
Well said, death is inevitable so we should make wise use of our time on valuable things, not just waste it on less important things.
Fact still remains that even when life continues we can't access any time we have wasted in the past, so let every minute count in our life.
Making every second count means there's less of an opportunity for regret when looking back later in life. It seems like a good plan.
Yes is a very good plan because it saves you from much waste of time and much regrets
The present is the best gift we can ever have. Best to be fully in the present moment than live in the future that's not promised.
Yes indeed, thanks for summarising my post.
We cannot stop time, much less save it for later.
Being aware that it is running out, should be enough to take advantage of every minute, building what we long for in every plane of our lives.
I read you Galen and I have not wasted my time, on the contrary, I have seen how memories, no matter how much they hurt, always leave a legacy and that is that nothing can wait, because by then it is too late.
Everything from the past culminates into the present and future, it's all linked. What is undetermined is how long the future actually is.
Exactly and that indeterminate time is the way of the great and the worthy…let us be one of them...
My dear time is money, it shouldn't be wasted if you ask me. is better to use your time well because time wait for no one.
Yes, that's exactly what my post indicates.
It's a fact that we can't hide from, one day we will all pay the price for death but before then, let's live life to the fullest.
I agree completely.
💯🤗