Seize the moment
Yesterday we woke up to flooded gardens, flooded roads and the prediction of further rain to come. However, at midday, the gloom was dispelled by the sudden appearance of early spring sunshine. My immediate response was, ‘We must make the most of this!’ After a hurried lunch, we went outside. The temperature was 11 degrees, the sun shone all the time, and it was simply beautiful.
The sunny afternoon brought to a head my recent reflections on how our lives are governed by the passing of time. Time determines the seasons. At present we are looking forward to springtime and a drying out of soggy Britain! Summertime might bring the end of lockdown which, by March, will have lasted a year, on and off, due to the Covid virus.
Time describes the structure and activities of our day in random phrases like ‘it’s bedtime’, ‘time for work’, ‘mealtimes’ and ‘time to walk the dog’. How many times do we hear such statements as ‘hurry up, you’ll be late’, ‘how much longer do we have to wait?’ or ‘your dinner’s getting cold’! Stopwatches are an essential part of most sports. In other words, time determines the end and beginning of eras and events. Should we not have a watch or the sound of a clock striking, the day is determined by the sun’s rising and setting.
How quickly we can be caught up in a moment of time which gives us an opportunity to make the most of something. The shining of the sun was a surprise moment in a cloudy day. I chose to make the most of it. It would have been all too easy to continue with the day’s original plans and consider the possibility of sunshine the next day. However, the next day’s forecast was for rain all day. It was a case of, seize the moment and step into its enjoyment.
Moments which interrupt the normal give us a choice. We can become a spectator and say ‘that’s nice’ or a procrastinator and choose to wait and see. Sometimes we’re too hasty when a moment of opportunity comes our way and, without careful consideration, we don’t appreciate the opportunity we’ve been given.
The dictionary definition[1] of ‘seize the moment’ says it all: ‘To seize the moment is to take full advantage of life’s opportunities whenever and wherever they present themselves.’
Let’s determine to do just that. After all, once past, that moment has gone forever.
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[1] https://www.thefreedictionary.com/
Time describes the structure and activities of our day in random phrases like ‘it’s bedtime’, ‘time for work’, ‘mealtimes’ and ‘time to walk the dog’. How many times do we hear such statements as ‘hurry up, you’ll be late’, ‘how much longer do we have to wait?’ or ‘your dinner’s getting cold’! Stopwatches are an essential part of most sports. In other words, time determines the end and beginning of eras and events. Should we not have a watch or the sound of a clock striking, the day is determined by the sun’s rising and setting.
How quickly we can be caught up in a moment of time which gives us an opportunity to make the most of something. The shining of the sun was a surprise moment in a cloudy day. I chose to make the most of it. It would have been all too easy to continue with the day’s original plans and consider the possibility of sunshine the next day. However, the next day’s forecast was for rain all day. It was a case of, seize the moment and step into its enjoyment.
Moments which interrupt the normal give us a choice. We can become a spectator and say ‘that’s nice’ or a procrastinator and choose to wait and see. Sometimes we’re too hasty when a moment of opportunity comes our way and, without careful consideration, we don’t appreciate the opportunity we’ve been given.
The dictionary definition[1] of ‘seize the moment’ says it all: ‘To seize the moment is to take full advantage of life’s opportunities whenever and wherever they present themselves.’
Let’s determine to do just that. After all, once past, that moment has gone forever.
___________________________________
[1] https://www.thefreedictionary.com/
Merle Sparkes
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