As we age the issue of mortality assumes an increasing prominence in both the way we act and the way we think. The inevitability of death is a sobering subject. The older we get the more of it we will see around us. Death intrudes on our life.
Most of us will make an effort to improve our lifestyle in a effort to forestall that which we know is lying in wait. We will eat better. Exercise more. Most of us want more time.
For some, death becomes an obsession. So fearful do they become that they lose perspective. They forget to live. And that becomes the greatest tragedy of all.
None of us knows how much time we have. Daily we are witness to both misadventure and miracle. The unexpected can often be most unwelcome. The light and shade in our daily lives is controlled by where we choose to focus our attention. And that’s the point. It’s our choice.
We can spend far too much time and emotional energy worrying about things that are beyond our control. Sadness and depression is the result.
Diverting that same amount of time and emotional energy to those things that are within our control can be life-changing especially when we accept the truth that the only thing we can truly control is ourself. The thoughts and actions of others are their responsibility. Influence may be possible. Control is not.
It’s important we take the time to self-reflect and self-assess to ensure our decisions and actions are making the most valuable use of whatever time it is that we have. Time spent on self-criticism is time wasted. We should put more effort into being our own best friend than being our own worst enemy.
Time is precious and unpredictable. Focus on making every day count.
Gary Bentley Counselling 