I continue to enjoy reading ACC and appreciate the honorable mention last week! I do think we (the “global we”) tend to admire problems far too much…
Today though, I’m responding to your thoughts on time and the use of time. Such a very precious commodity. A favorite boss said “that of all the tittles and accolades, the one I treasure the most is: Dad.” He explained that the time with his wife was most precious, but with his children it was also fleeting. These words, in part, guided my decision to retire early from the Marines... To be a greater part of my daughter’s last few years of secondary education.
I completely agree that you can tell what’s important to someone but looking at how they spend their time. To me, it’s a “put your money where your mouth is” test. And frankly, many folks fail. What I really don’t understand is that when you are in the twilight of your existence, why you would not want to be with your family and friends, enjoying life from the sidelines.
Another wonderful quote from a coach of mine: “at first, you play ball, then you coach ball, and then you may referee ball, but in the end… you should, watch ball.”
Any reference to politicians is simply coincidental….
I've always wondered how different everyone's life would be if you knew the exact "time" you'd die. What would you change about the way you live your life day-to-day, minute-to-minute? We go through life pretty blind to this whole thought. You do hear the phrase: "live every day like it's your last..." but who really does that? Probably a very small percentage of folks. And you generally have two camps: 1) those who are counting on a very long life so they scrimp, save, engage in healthy activities, and work until the very last minute in order to have resources they can utilize in their golden years. And 2) those who are free-spirited, living in the moment, not thinking about the long-term future or what that'll look like. Who's to say who's approach is right or wrong? I'm sure there is somewhat of a middle-road as well. And when the "savers" pass unexpectedly... friends and family always say "they had a good, full life... but left us too soon..." When the free-spirits pass, they say: "they died doing what they loved..." It really is making the most of what time we do have. As I'm shoveling gravel, or digging another hole for a tree, or cutting down weeds, I do sometimes wonder if that's the last view I'll have on this earth and am I using the time I have wisely? Am I getting full value for what I have? Maybe it's morbid...but I do ponder it. And deep down, hope that somehow my last view is a beautiful sunset over water with my wife by my side. If only I could pre-select that.
Back in 2011, a movie came out titled "In Time." The premise (from Wikipedia) is: "inhabitants of a society that uses time from one's lifespan as its primary currency, with each individual possessing a clock on their arm that counts down how long they have to live." In the movie, people can look at their wrist and know their exact time of death...down to the second. They also have the ability to "buy" more time in various ways. Of course the criminal element figures out ways to steal time and sell it on the black market. I always thought it was an interesting premise and wonder how our society would change if we had this insight. I'm sure there are tons of pros and cons.
I also wonder if you ask 100 people if they could know the exact time of their death...would they want to? If they could also know how they would die... would they want to? Would any of that change the time they have left?
Invariably a voice of such exquisite reason, Chris. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. You come from good folks.
Hi Cynthia,
I continue to enjoy reading ACC and appreciate the honorable mention last week! I do think we (the “global we”) tend to admire problems far too much…
Today though, I’m responding to your thoughts on time and the use of time. Such a very precious commodity. A favorite boss said “that of all the tittles and accolades, the one I treasure the most is: Dad.” He explained that the time with his wife was most precious, but with his children it was also fleeting. These words, in part, guided my decision to retire early from the Marines... To be a greater part of my daughter’s last few years of secondary education.
I completely agree that you can tell what’s important to someone but looking at how they spend their time. To me, it’s a “put your money where your mouth is” test. And frankly, many folks fail. What I really don’t understand is that when you are in the twilight of your existence, why you would not want to be with your family and friends, enjoying life from the sidelines.
Another wonderful quote from a coach of mine: “at first, you play ball, then you coach ball, and then you may referee ball, but in the end… you should, watch ball.”
Any reference to politicians is simply coincidental….
I've always wondered how different everyone's life would be if you knew the exact "time" you'd die. What would you change about the way you live your life day-to-day, minute-to-minute? We go through life pretty blind to this whole thought. You do hear the phrase: "live every day like it's your last..." but who really does that? Probably a very small percentage of folks. And you generally have two camps: 1) those who are counting on a very long life so they scrimp, save, engage in healthy activities, and work until the very last minute in order to have resources they can utilize in their golden years. And 2) those who are free-spirited, living in the moment, not thinking about the long-term future or what that'll look like. Who's to say who's approach is right or wrong? I'm sure there is somewhat of a middle-road as well. And when the "savers" pass unexpectedly... friends and family always say "they had a good, full life... but left us too soon..." When the free-spirits pass, they say: "they died doing what they loved..." It really is making the most of what time we do have. As I'm shoveling gravel, or digging another hole for a tree, or cutting down weeds, I do sometimes wonder if that's the last view I'll have on this earth and am I using the time I have wisely? Am I getting full value for what I have? Maybe it's morbid...but I do ponder it. And deep down, hope that somehow my last view is a beautiful sunset over water with my wife by my side. If only I could pre-select that.
Back in 2011, a movie came out titled "In Time." The premise (from Wikipedia) is: "inhabitants of a society that uses time from one's lifespan as its primary currency, with each individual possessing a clock on their arm that counts down how long they have to live." In the movie, people can look at their wrist and know their exact time of death...down to the second. They also have the ability to "buy" more time in various ways. Of course the criminal element figures out ways to steal time and sell it on the black market. I always thought it was an interesting premise and wonder how our society would change if we had this insight. I'm sure there are tons of pros and cons.
I also wonder if you ask 100 people if they could know the exact time of their death...would they want to? If they could also know how they would die... would they want to? Would any of that change the time they have left?