Counting the Hours

Time is precious. It’s limited. You can’t create more, and once it’s gone, you can never get it back. None of us can predict exactly how much time we have left. It’s unknown, truly one of life’s great mysteries.

Most of the time, I take it for granted. I don’t fully comprehend the precious commodity of time. Procrastination isn’t my problem, but I do struggle to maintain a good balance between what I should do versus what I want to do. When I’m tired, I selfishly waste time sitting in front of the television, reading, or browsing online in my communities of interest. It’s a constant battle, and I feel guilty about the things I should have done, but didn’t.

It’s something I’m trying to improve. Much of my time is absorbed by a hefty work schedule. I could work all of the time, and there would still be more work to do. Some of my colleagues work days, nights, and weekends. It’s the down side of working in the high tech industry where there is (1) constant pressure to be the best and (2) technology that enables you to work any time, any where, on any device. I try not to follow the example of my colleagues — well, most of the time. I do try to take time for myself, and those precious hours are the ones that I need to spend more wisely.

I’m not quite there yet. I’m still selfish. I’m still making bad decisions — and sometimes, I’m just plain lazy. But, I’m becoming more aware. I’m learning. I’m growing. I’m fighting to become better, to give my time to the things that will truly make a difference. Believe me, it is a fight. Old habits die hard. It won’t happen quickly or easily; it will require a concerted effort, but I am slowly, gradually taking my time back. I’m recognizing how precious, how limited it is, and I don’t want to waste it.

“Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.”