the power of time

“The most surprising thing is that you wouldn’t let anyone steal your property, but you consistently let people steal your time, which is infinitely more valuable.”
Seneca, 63 AD! (Before smart phones.)

It’s not so much that life is short but that we waste a lot of it. 

For many of us, we are lucky enough to enjoy the luxury of many time savors – we have running water and food available, we can go to the doctor when we’re sick, and call a friend just to chat. We can get what we need often through a few clicks on a computer and have it sent right to our door within a few days.

All these times savors allow us to ask: if time is a precious resource, one that we can’t buy more of, how do we best spend it?

There are two possible answers to consider: 1. Don’t give it away to people or causes who don’t respect you or vice versa 2. Enjoy it as much as possible
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1. Think about all the times you have given your time to someone who didn’t deserve it. You worked for a boss you didn’t like, you went to the dinner party you didn’t really want to go to, you took on extra work because you didn’t know how to say no. Every time you say yes when you really mean no, it creates a ripple effect. It’s easy to lose yourself when you don’t know how to say no. Disappointing people is scary, but it can be disappointing for you, too, when you look back and realize you spent a lot of time making other people happy and overlooked yourself.2. Coming to understand you and what makes you happy creates a life that is all your own. You are living in an authentic way and belong to yourself, which is the true definition of power. You give generously to that which is important to you and let go of everything else. Suddenly, life opens up. You are living life rather than it living you. You enjoy small moments and those moments have greater meaning – making eye contact with those you love, seeing things as they are, letting go of what other people think.

​ Being creative, being present, enjoyable work, meaningful relationships, self-discovery, and learning can all come to the forefront when we remember time is a precious resource. Knowing our time is limited allows us to remember what really matters.