The BIBLE teaches us to value time. Every moment is precious. Every moment a person can do good, perfect his character, make the world a better place. The Almighty gives us a limited amount of time and it is up to us to make the most of it.
Our sages teach us that if we truly want to make the most of our time in this world, we should do a daily accounting before we go to sleep. This is called a "Cheshbon HaNefesh" - perhaps best translated as a "Soul Reckoning." How do you do it? Ask yourself 4 questions: (1) What is my purpose in life? (2) What did I do towards my purpose or away from my purpose? (3) What could I do better tomorrow? (4) What is more important to accomplish and live for? It is also an excellent idea to review your interactions with others to know if there is anyone to whom you should apologize or help.
Life is often tough. It can be very strengthening to focus on the fact that If you are still here, then the Almighty is giving you this time for a purpose and you have not yet completed your job in this world.
The following anonymous "refrigerator piece" can help one appreciate the value of time:
"Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!
"Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow." You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today!"
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-- Jane Gillen Department Secretary Computer Science ITTC 305 University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0507 Office: 319.273.2618 Fax: 319.273.7123
