You’re Going to Die. What Are You Gonna Do About It?

12 Months. 52 Weeks. 365 Days.
8,765 Hours. 525,948 Minutes.
31,556,926 Seconds

Time.

I have an interesting relationship with time in that I track how long I’ve been alive. I use a piece of paper titled “Memento Mori,” which is Latin for “remember that you have to die.” On the paper is 80 years’ worth of weeks, divided into little boxes. Each week that goes by, you black out another box. I’ve filled 26 rows so far.

The indefatigable march of time.

Yet this thunderous march is also a reminder that time is a gift – a gift that is so graciously given to all of us.

We all have time. Some have more, some have less, but we all have it. We all live in it.

Yet despite being universal, time comes in different types.

Here’s how I think about it:

Time is given, but it is either wasted or used.

Wasted time is characteristic of people who squander the gift. They embrace sloth, coast along, or take part in dangerous activities that chip away at the time they’re given. People might say one is “lazy” or “a loser” if they waste time. This isn’t always voluntary, of course.

Then there’s time that’s used. Time that’s seemingly made. Time that’s lived with intention, presence, and care. Time that is spent struggling, achieving, and growing as a human. This is characteristic of high achievers who people admire – or envy – because of what they’ve achieved or how they live their lives.

The best part about all of this is that if one is of sound mind and able body, they can decide how they use their time. We all flux between wasting and using time, but the goal should be to spend most of our days using time for all it’s worth. Nobody’s perfect in this respect, but perfect isn’t the goal. Consistency is.

Consistent use of meaningful, present, beautiful time.

Even if your life feels out of control or packed to the brim, you can commit to live better – for yourself and those around you – and take advantage of the time you’ve been given.

But you’d better act fast.

Time is running out.

This post was originally published on February 1st, 2018