What do you think is the most valuable commodity that we have or seek? Well, my cup of coffee seems pretty valuable to me first thing in the morning. But then there’s the money that allows me to buy the coffee and put food on the table, clothes on my back and a roof over my head. What do you think? Could it be our family and friends? How about our health, our jobs, or our passion?
And what do we do with our precious goods once we get them? This thought provoking story provides us an interesting perspective.
Imagine that you had won the following *prize* in a contest:
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has rules:
1. Everything that you didn’t spend during each day would be taken away from you.
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
3. You may only spend it.
4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another $86,400 for that day.
5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, “Game Over!” It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.
What would you personally do?
You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don’t know, because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on yourself, right?
You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew it would be replenished in the morning, right?
Actually, this game is real. Shocked? Yes!
Each of us is already a winner of this *prize*. We just can’t seem to see it.
The prize is *time*.
1. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of life.
2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is not credited to us.
3. What we haven’t used up that day is forever lost.
4. Yesterday is forever gone.
5. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account at any time without warning.
So, what will you do with your 86,400 seconds?
Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars. Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think.
It doesn’t matter how many seconds you have left today; it’s never too late to start “spending” wisely.
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, which is why we call it the present.”
~ Bil Keane
Source of story: The story was found in the billfold of Coach Paul Bear Bryant of the University of Alabama after he died in 1983.
Great reminders Kate! One minute squandered is lost forever. Wasted time offers no do overs. Going to budget mine more wisely today thanks to you!
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Time is precious. And in a gentle way, we can be helpful, making some kind of difference in the world. You do that with your blogs Anita. I’m glad I was able to do the same with mine.
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Wow, each and every week I totally enjoy reading your posts and it comes as no surprise I absolutely love this one too! It certainly makes you think about what you really think is precious!
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Thank you Kate! I’d like to believe that in a gentle way, we both continue to inspire those around us, making a happy difference in their day. I’m looking forward to your next post.
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Great thoughts for someone who had a happy, busy day filled with thousands of memorable seconds. thanks.
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I’m glad you you had a happy day Jann! Those memorable moments are so precious.
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Reblogged this on Surprising lives and commented:
This is one of those stories that catches you by surprise and just spins you around. I just had to share it, enjoy. 🙂
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Thanks so much Amanda for reblogging my post! 🙂
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What a wonderful story, I just love it. 🙂
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I’m glad you liked the story Amanda. Prior to reading the story, what would have been your first choice for the most precious commodity?
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