Most have heard the phrase,”Time is of the essence”, which means time is of the utmost importance. Most often we are talking about the importance of getting something done quickly. However, this meaning doesn’t grasp its importance and power.
Time IS of the utmost importance: we all have to eventually face the fact that our time on this earth is limited. And in the meantime, each of us decides how we use this most precious of gifts: THIS moment. We only experience life in THIS moment.
Unfortunately, most of us waste THIS moment thinking about the past or the future. In the past, there are too many instances of “coulda, woulda, shouldas” that bring out feelings of regret or resentment. What good does it do to relive or re-experience or argue with an event that has already taken place? That is like arguing with the sun about why it rose in the East. It happened. Why should it make me feel bad or angry and waste THIS moment.
On the flip side, we waste time worrying about the future where the things we worry about haven’t happened. Will I keep my job? Will my children get a job? What if my daughter marries the jerk? What if there are no polar bears? Too often we are caught between spending THIS moment on past things that we can’t change or future things that don’t even exist.
If I spend THIS moment thinking about the past or future, I should use it to decide to let it go or do something about it NOW. If I am acting on something, I am not worrying about it. The ER doctors do not spend time worrying about losing the patient; they are too busy working on saving him. Compare this to me feeling bad about being a jerk to my wife yesterday and worrying about facing her when I get home today. Spending time wishing I hadn’t done it doesn’t help remedy the situation. And it is a waste of precious time.
Want more time? Then quit rehashing the past and worrying about the future. Stop. Look at the miracles around you. Take a deep breath of the sweet air. Consider the wonder of it all. Answer the Zen master’s question, ”What, at this moment, is lacking?” Now, how best to spend it?
