Good morning & happy Monday!
“Time is free, but it’s priceless. You can’t own it, but you can use it. You can’t keep it, but you can spend it. Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.”
– Harvey MacKay, businessman & author
I came across this picture on X (formerly Twitter) recently and I found it to be a powerful image.
As a grandfather myself and someone who is by all statistical measures over halfway through my lifespan, I am having a greater appreciation for how precious and fleeting time is.
I’ll be 45 next month, so I maybe have 40-45 years remaining. Maybe. It might be less. It could be quite a bit less. It’s not likely much more.
So, how do I choose to invest that time. What is truly important?
We can make more money, but we can’t get more time. Once our time on earth is done, it’s done. There are no do-overs.
This holiday season may I respectfully challenge all of us to make meaningful investments in the lives of those we love.
Put the phone down. Turn off the TV. Let the Candy Crush daily tracker fall off.
Take a walk. Make a call. Schedule a lunch. These are the things that are far more important.
Connect with those you love. Truly contemplate the things that are important in your life and let your time reflect those priorities.
I’m talking to myself here too. I have lots of room to grow in this area. I’m as guilty as anyone of having the cell phone at the dinner table.
Time is an exceptionally precious gift … and it’s a gift we all have right now. And it’s not guaranteed.
King Solomon, a person who is widely regarded as the wisest person to ever live, amassed tremendous wealth, power, and success in life. Some of the final words he ever recorded were: “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.” (Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14, NLT)
This guy had it all. Power. Fame. Success. Money. Women. Respect. Influence. He had everything this world can offer, and when he’s looking at the end of his earthly life, he simply concludes that the purpose of this life is to fear and obey God.
No mention of the parties, travels, awards, money, possessions, or achievements. It appears he realized towards the end how unimportant that stuff is in comparison to what really matters.
This Christmas it can be so easy to get caught up in the shopping, chaos, and busyness of the holiday season that we lose sight of the fact that Christmas is the mind-blowing historical account of God coming down to earth as a human being: Jesus.
I believe the most important thing we can do this Christmas is to connect with that story and the impact it can have on our lives. That event changed the way we track time (B.C. to A.D.), but has it changed our hearts?
Merry Christmas my friends.
Back by popular demand we are in the final stages of crafting our 2024 version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Stay tuned for that next Monday. 😊
As I reflect during this holiday season, I am blown away by the blessing I have to make a living by serving, supporting, encouraging, and challenging you, my dear clients / friends. You bring me such joy and I am beyond grateful.
Please let us know if you have any year-end financial planning matters that we can address for you this week.
Make it a great week ahead.