“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”

— Charles Darwin

I remember one time, when I was a very young mother, saying to my own Mom, “I wish someone would invent a 36-hour day so I could get some sleep!”  Her reply was wise.  ”Be thankful that you only have 24 hours in a day.  I have a feeling that if you had twelve more you still wouldn’t use them for sleeping.”  She probably was right.  I’ve always been intrigued by so many things that it’s been hard to fit them all into the time I have each day.  When I was young, sleep was low on my list of priorities; and my youthful energy allowed me to live that way for many years.  Fortunately, I have grown wiser as my body has grown older, and I no longer subject myself to the sleep-deprived stupor that would follow a burst of creative energy.

I have to wonder, when I read Darwin’s words, if he wrote them when he was young and filled with boundless energy or when he was older and wiser and more attentive to the value of balance and moderation as valuable to life.  I like to think that the man who cautioned us not to waste an hour of time was not simply encouraging us all to be workaholics. I like to think that the wise old tortoise I have become is the one who has a better interpretation of his advice than the sprinting hare who discovers too late that “slow and steady wins the race.”

Today is a rare day for me.  For the first time in more than a month, I have absolutely nothing that I need to do today.  I suppose you might say that I am free to waste twenty-four hours.  On the other hand, I am free to enjoy twenty-four hours simply doing as I please.  I may watch a movie.  Is that a waste of time?  I may take a nap.  Another hour down the drain?  I don’t think Darwin expected that we would spend every minute working at full speed.  I hope that he recognized the value of time spent reflecting, time spent on recreation and renewal, and time spent allowing our bodies the rest they need in order to remain healthy and ready for the exertion that comes our way.

Today I will pay attention to my body’s needs.  I will be aware that I am resting my mind and leaving my list of tasks for tomorrow.  I will be conscious of the gift I give to myself when I make a much-needed deposit in my sleep bank.  I will linger as I watch the clouds race across the winter sky; and I will be sure to still my feet long enough to watch the entire sunset as the day comes to an end.  I may not have a lot of tangible evidence that I have spent my day well today, but I will cherish each moment, whether it is spent creating something or simply maintaining the energy that will bring something to light tomorrow.  I will not waste an hour today.  I will treasure each moment that renews me for the days ahead.