“Opportunities are changing ceaselessly. Those who get there too early have gone too far, while those who get there too late cannot catch up. As the sun and moon go through their courses, time does not go along with people. Therefore, sages do not value huge jewels as much as they value a little time. Time is hard to find and easy to lose." - Huainanzi, China, Second Century B.C.
I discovered that quote reading Robert Greene’s, The 33 Strategies of War.
The quote reminds me of the whirlwind we live in, and the time we make.
I have a demanding job that I enjoy. Left uncontrolled, my responsibilities easily consume my day. My dad has no job and no responsibilities. His day consists of laying in bed, changing his clothes, and mumbling to himself while he sleeps. When I make space to spend time with Dad, his face lights up.
Dad and I do the same thing we always do. Eat lunch at the Nashota Clubhouse, visit Holy Hill, and drive around. He tells me the same stories. I ask him the same questions about his life. It’s time that he and I invest that we will never get back.
Our time together ends. He leaves the car, tells me to get back to work and on with my life, and he walks inside. He has a pep in his step, and he appears happy. In minutes, he’ll forget what happened and go back to sleep. In minutes, I’ll return to my work and wonder if we’ll have that moment again.
I would much rather trade achievement for time any day. The next second is not guaranteed. We must act like each second is our last. We must remember that the meaning of our life is not our work. The meaning of our life is the meaning of our choices in a moment. What we get to choose.
I go to work now so that I may buy myself more time to trade for space.