Many things we can buy on credit – a loan with a promise to pay back the debt later. And perhaps this is a wise investment for our future, or maybe a necessity when life’s emergencies strike. But time is one commodity we cannot borrow. We have what we have and there’s no getting it back once it’s gone.
Of course, we’re responsible for bills of all sorts. Some we might pay off quickly, while others are recurring or otherwise stick around for a while. But either way, there’s a sense of deferring cost – enjoying benefits now while paying later.
To be fair, this approach can work in many areas of life. But it doesn’t work when it comes to time and relationships. And all too often we’re working chasing the wind while missing the moments that matter.
We assume there will be time later to connect with our wife, hang out with our friends, or watch our kids grow. But this time is not guaranteed. And the time we miss cannot be made up.
This is not to suggest we quit our job or give up our other duties just to spend time with our loved ones. But it is a reminder to count the cost of our decisions.
We’re often in for a rude awakening when we assume we can spend time today and just make it up tomorrow. This is not how time works. And our relationships will not remain static either. When we don’t invest meaningful time in each other today there might not be much of a relationship to come back to later.
In the end, time is a finite commodity that cannot be borrowed. And assuming you will always have time later for your loved ones often leaves many things undone. Count the cost and use the time given to you each day wisely.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
