The New Year and the Value of Time

World-class runners understand the importance of living with grueling discipline.  They train day after day, week after week stretching and pushing their bodies to the limits.  They endure harsh elements, early mornings, and late evenings in preparation for the next race.  Why do they embrace such austere restrictions and regulations?  Easy, they understand the value of time.  Their discipline is rooted in the perspective of the clock. To the passionate runner, half a second, even a tenth of a second, could very well mean the difference between first or last place.

In his book, Margin, Dr. Richard Swenson said, “This present moment is, literally, so narrow that it is impossible to conceive. We live our entire lives in an inconceivably thin slice of reality. Reflecting on this for many years now, I have arrived at a corollary understanding –that this present moment is not only infinitely narrow, but also infinitely deep.”

What a thought…each moment is infinitely narrow, infinitely deep. No wonder athletes discipline themselves with such resolve: they are trying to get the most out of every second.   Do you?  Do you value the depth of each moment?  As William Penn said, “Time is what we want the most, but what we use the worst.” How will you spend your time this year?

Resolutions, goals, and aspirations should be measured and accomplished in the context of time.  Whatever we are going to do, we must do by understanding the value of each moment.  There are over 31 million seconds in this year.  While we run, they tick away; slowly yes, but steadily and persistently.  Before we realize it, this day is gone, and the next, and the next.  It will not be long until we rehash resolutions while counting down another year.  Mark it down, the next twelve months will move rapidly.  Therefore, make the most of this year by making the most of each moment.  “Time is really the only capital that any human being has” said Thomas Edison, “and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.”