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Time is the measure of life. We are so many years old. I suppose if
our day was only 12 hours long we would be twice as old as we are
now. And if our year was half the number of days we would be even
older, even if our bodies remained as is.
Time is something our parents and teachers would
always remind us of. I can still hear the good nuns who taught me in
elementary school: “Don’t waste your time.” “Make good use
of your time.” When I give you an hour of my time, I am giving you
an hour of my life. It’s as simple as that.
To make the point, I often ask people how they
would feel if, at the hour of death, God asked if they would like to
have a 48-hour extension of life. Those hours would surely be most
precious.
As usual though, we take for granted those
things which we have an abundance of. We don’t appreciate the
steady stream of electricity flowing into our homes until a storm
causes us to go without. We don’t appreciate good health until our
bodies start deteriorating. The same is true of time. Young people
take their years for granted and believe they will live a thousand
years. They cannot imagine themselves as old and in failing health.
Og Mandino is a man who values time. He wrote
about it and I want to share his words with you believing that a
greater awareness of the value of time, of life, will give you much
thought about using it well.
“Í will live today as if it is my last. I
have but one life and it is nothing but a measurement of time. When
I waste one I destroy the other. If I waste today I destroy the last
page of my life. Therefore, each hour of this day will I cherish for
it can never return. It cannot be banked today to be withdrawn on
tomorrow, for who can trap the wind? Each minute of this day will I
grasp with both hands and fondle with love for its value is beyond
price. What dying man can purchase another breath though he
willingly gives all his gold? What price dare I place on the hours
ahead? I will make them priceless!
“I will live this day as if it is my last. I
will avoid with fury the killers of time. Procrastination I will
destroy with action; doubt I will bury with faith; fear I will
disinember with confidence. Where there are idle mouths I will
listen not; where there are idle hands I will linger not; where
there are idle bodies, I will visit not.
“Henceforth, I know that to court idleness is
to steal food, clothing and warmth from those I love. I am not a
thief. I am a man of love and today is my last chance to prove my
love and greatness.”
If you have problems about drugs, alcohol and
behavior/attitude call my office at 8206107 or 8251771 or e-mail me
at gvcbuenca@vasia.com or write me at P.O. Box 2099 MCPO, Makati
City.
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