“Patience and time are my warriors, my champions” duly observed General Kutuzov in the epic novel “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy. Kutuzov did not see the passage of time as an enemy, as most of us do, but a friend who would help him to win the war against the French in the early 1800s. In the opening scene of the year 2000 film, Gladiator, Roman Empire General Maximus Decimus Meridius delivered an invigorating, patriotic speech to his troops as they headed into battle to give courage in a time of fear and uncertainty, “Imagine where you will be and it will be so” and “What we do in life
echoes in eternity”. His poetic axiom defining time simultaneously in its infinitesimal and eternal states was given to provide hope and courage in a moment of darkness to his loyal warriors reminding them that their life was significant and meaningful, not only in life but in death. Since these times, in the 20 th and 21 st centuries, we live in a time period where living a life of purpose and meaning through a healthy, prosperous lifestyle is much more attainable than ever before. Time is precious. It is a gift we take for granted that it will always be here, as it steadily gives and never takes. A gift that
shapes each and everyone of us into the unique individual we are, dependent upon how we use it. So, how do we use our time? How much of our time do we intentionally use to curate a lifestyle of accomplishment and success that benefits us and those around
us?
To answer this question, let’s take a step back for a moment and think. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Clear your mind to ponder only one thought. Would you live your life differently if you knew the date of your last day here on earth? Just like you know the date of your first day, your birth date? Nine months is the preparation time for your beginning date. A lifetime of decades is your preparation time for your end date. How well you live in between, your Dash, makes all the difference to yourself and the world around you. “So when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your Dash?”, Linda Ellis mused in her moving tribute to her father, John William Hicks, in “The Dash”.
So, where does our time go? According to the CDC, in 1900, the average life expectancy was 47 years. However, by 2019, it had risen almost 60% to 79 years. 60% more time for us to live, learn and love so, do we use this gift of additional time to enhance our life or are we just “spinning our wheels”? For Asian Americans, they have learned how to stretch time in their favor. As an ethnic group, they were reported to live over 8 years longer than the average American in a study published June 1, 2015, by the National Institutes of Health. The study is inconclusive, but its resulting hypothesis proposes longevity is based on a prosperous lifestyle. The “blue zone” concept, coined in 2004 by National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner, illustrates this scientific finding in broader terms noting that any culture around the world can have longevity through healthy lifestyle factors, such as proper diet, physical activity, healthy social connections and stress management that can only be accomplished through actively living a lifestyle of intentional purpose with a positive outlook. Alternatively, think on an individual level.
Do we as individuals invest time into our best interests in terms of our character development through mental, emotional and physical challenges? Or do we squander our time with frivolous, burdensome activities that do not elevate our person to the next level? Assess yourself. What have you developed into as an older adult? And if you
are younger, what are you developing into as a young adult? Is there needed improvement?
As a nation, it seems we may have lost our focus on being the best we can be throughout time and space due to the luxuries of a first world economy and its associated securities. Have we lost focus on attaining the merits of life because it takes work - consistent discipline and mental toughness, as football coach, Nick Saban, taught his players? When was the last time you challenged yourself to better yourself and live your best life? Each one of us must push ourselves to attain the next level of achievement through the practice of adaptability, discipline and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Take joy in both the mundane and exhilarating moments of each day. Be
glad to be here. You are here where time has blessed you to be. Reach for the stars and you may achieve the lifestyle you so desire to savor. In order to capture the fullness and richness of life, one must be uncompromising in its pursuit.
Author, Joseph Epstein once said, “We do not choose to be born.
We do not choose our parents, or the country of our birth. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time and conditions of our death. But within this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we live.” Be a time warrior. Be a champion. Live your best life and Savor the Lifestyle.
Article by Stephania Streit
Photography by Provided
Originally published in Pensacola City Lifestyle