My schedule is a regimented one. I rise before dawn to spend time reading my Bible and running with my canine buddy. Then I clean up, grab some breakfast, pack my lunch, and head to work. The day clips by at work since it is divided into 50-minute periods which I have further divided into 5, 10, and 15 minute lesson or activity blocks. Before I know it I’m on my way home. But my day hasn’t ended yet. There’s play and exercise time with my dog again, other animals to feed, and housecleaning to cross off the list. I try to do about an hour of studying for the exam that I’m taking next month, then before I know it the clock reminds me that I need to to get some sleep.

When the weekend rolls around all I want to do is sleep, and yet there are many “extras” that I would like to do – extra reading, extra correspondance, extra time with friends and family, extra errands to run, extra time with my critters…they are wonderful things and I long to do them all, but sometimes my body refuses. 

I am sure we have all reflected on the meaning of life at one time or another, maybe more.  I have come to the conclusion that, while it’s important to live a purposeful life, taking a few moments to break free of the regimented schedule is not a wasteful splurge of time. In fact, studies have shown that relaxation and pausing to smell the roses are stress reducers and can lead to greater productivity when the schedule is resumed.

Last night I spent some time looking at pictures and once again I realized how rapidly time escapes us. I saw how many beloved pets have come and gone from my life; how quickly children grow up; how steadily the aging process sets in; how no matter what you do, you cannot relive beautiful moments, you can only savor them as you live them.

Don’t waste your life doing nothing; accomplish all the good you can while you live every breath that you take.