There are many fine things that you mean to do some day, under what you think will be more favorable circumstances. But the only time that is yours is the present.
~ Grenville Kleiser (1868-1935), Yale Divinity School
I frequently participate in conferences where the organizers are quite compulsive and very concerned about keeping each speaker on schedule. So they hold up signs to keep you on target and forewarn you. When it is time to conclude your presentation, they hold up a sign that says TIME.
The organizers happily consented to my taking one of those signs, which I now use when lecturing. I hold it up in front of the audience and say, “If you take any concepts home with you from my talk, make this one of them. We are all here for a limited period of time.” I want them to accept the fact that we are all mortal and shouldn’t postpone living.
As long as we are in our bodies, time is an important factor. Because our bodies age and are vulnerable, our lifetime is limited and therefore extremely precious. So do what needs to be done to keep your life’s presentation on schedule.
Don’t wait until your time is almost up to call home and say, “I love you.” Don’t bring flowers to the grave; rather, bring them home or send them to the person who is precious to you today.
Peace,
Bernie