Time

To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, "Do you love life?  Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of."

I have been reflecting on time recently, especially as I realize that this is likely the midpoint of my mortal existence.  Current life expectancy for U.S. males is about 78, and I turned 39 last April.  Of course, I expect (hope!) to live to 100 or so, provided I can have some quality of life and energy.  In healthcare, I see lives cut short by trauma or illness much more often than is comfortable.  One awareness is that I have certainly not experienced nearly half of what I would like to in my lifetime.

We could take this truth in several directions.  Is work, building wealth, and leaving a professional legacy the highest priority?  Making a difference in the lives of fellow sojourners on the pathways of life? Or is pleasure the greatest good, seeking to experience all the thrills and joy one lifetime can bring our way?

I believe that the balanced life is a life well lived.  The philosophy of John Wesley (earn all you can, save all you can, and give all you can) is a guiding principle for maximum impact on the lives around us.  There is value in working to provide for ourselves and our families, and in making a positive impact by our efforts.  I learned this lesson well from my parents, who provided a home for us by hard work on a small farm in the mountains of North Carolina.  However, they also taught me the limits of what possessions can bring to my life, and that family and faith bring a greater joy.  There is also joy in the beauty of the world around us, and an exhilaration from new experiences and deepened relationships.  Recreation is essential to maintain strength to face life's challenges, and feeds the soul in a manner which literally "re-creates" our identity and ability to go into the arena of another week.

As I turn 40 this year, I hope to take some time to stop and think about the choices made so far.  I have many blessings in my life, along with a few regrets. This is a good place on the journey to pause, evaluate the good and bad, and prayerfully position myself for the way ahead.  I truly believe the best is yet to come.