Chapter 10 Time must be valued.
Chapter 10 Time must be valued.
第十章 我們必須珍惜時間
第十章 我們必須珍惜時間
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10. Time must be valued
10. Time must be valued
Time is a precious treasure that cannot be replaced or returned. It is a gift that, once opened, will only end with the cessation of our mortal life. Or as St. Augustine (354-430) notes, "Indeed, we cannot truly say that time exists except in the sense that it tends towards non-existence."1 How then do we properly manage our personal time? How do we give our time value and, ultimately, immortality so that its lessons can be utilized by our grandchildren? In my experience, as a 62-year-old man, the most important part of time is to realize its intrinsic value and to truly understand that it is irreplaceable. It is not like money or beauty (Yes, even beauty can be restored: hence the abundance of plastic surgery clinics). It is slipping away before our very eyes like sand through our fingers on a beach.
Time is a precious treasure that cannot be replaced or returned. It is a gift that, once opened, will only end with the cessation of our mortal life. Or as St. Augustine (354-430) notes, "Indeed, we cannot truly say that time exists except in the sense that it tends towards non-existence."1 How then do we properly manage our personal time? How do we give our time value and, ultimately, immortality so that its lessons can be utilized by our grandchildren? In my experience, as a 62-year-old man, the most important part of time is to realize its intrinsic value and to truly understand that it is irreplaceable. It is not like money or beauty (Yes, even beauty can be restored: hence the abundance of plastic surgery clinics). It is slipping away before our very eyes like sand through our fingers on a beach.
Why then does the vast majority of mankind not appear to value time? I believe that this tragic occurrence is predicated on the belief that time is just one more quantifiable entity that occupies our daily routine, much like eating breakfast. It is essentially like air: always there and in sufficient amounts to fill in the bits between the highs and lows of the day. I get up at 6 o’clock, wash, eat something and arrive at work at 8 o’clock. I do not give the two hours that I have just spent any value, though they have been deducted from my allotment of time. The movie In Time2 discusses, as an overall theme, the conscious control of time by the ruling elites and the little time dispensed to the poor. Eventually, the protagonists begin to overcome the unjust system. It would appear, however, that all political constructs have little or no regard for time, as they attribute little or no value to the average human being.
Why then does the vast majority of mankind not appear to value time? I believe that this tragic occurrence is predicated on the belief that time is just one more quantifiable entity that occupies our daily routine, much like eating breakfast. It is essentially like air: always there and in sufficient amounts to fill in the bits between the highs and lows of the day. I get up at 6 o’clock, wash, eat something and arrive at work at 8 o’clock. I do not give the two hours that I have just spent any value, though they have been deducted from my allotment of time. The movie In Time2 discusses, as an overall theme, the conscious control of time by the ruling elites and the little time dispensed to the poor. Eventually, the protagonists begin to overcome the unjust system. It would appear, however, that all political constructs have little or no regard for time, as they attribute little or no value to the average human being.
It is therefore up to the individual to clasp his own time “close to his breast” to achieve his (or her) life mission: much, much easier said than done. Where does one begin? You must begin with a plan, a goal that can be concretized over time. This goal need not be extraordinary; it can be totally indefinite: “I will devote my life to the service of people.” This is a theme that many learned and wise people live their lives by. As with all junctures artificially placed in the future where, at present, time does not yet exist, the uncovering of your happiness is often not so easily achieved. It is, in fact, one of the most bedeviling of life’s secrets; nothing makes you happy unless you are at peace with yourself. The rich, the poor, the unwashed, the elegantly clothed all count amongst their fold both contented and frustrated souls: there is no common solution, no group epiphany. This is a path that we must all tread alone. Even more tragically: we cannot give but passing happiness to the people that we love. They too must decide to grasp that particular fruit on their own.
It is therefore up to the individual to clasp his own time “close to his breast” to achieve his (or her) life mission: much, much easier said than done. Where does one begin? You must begin with a plan, a goal that can be concretized over time. This goal need not be extraordinary; it can be totally indefinite: “I will devote my life to the service of people.” This is a theme that many learned and wise people live their lives by. As with all junctures artificially placed in the future where, at present, time does not yet exist, the uncovering of your happiness is often not so easily achieved. It is, in fact, one of the most bedeviling of life’s secrets; nothing makes you happy unless you are at peace with yourself. The rich, the poor, the unwashed, the elegantly clothed all count amongst their fold both contented and frustrated souls: there is no common solution, no group epiphany. This is a path that we must all tread alone. Even more tragically: we cannot give but passing happiness to the people that we love. They too must decide to grasp that particular fruit on their own.
How then are we to effect change if each of us is isolated in our own Leibniz-conceived monad?3 I believe that the only way that we alter behavior is through example. If we live ethical and happy lives and we spend our time well and generously, we will have an impact on society. If we live a dissolute and debauched existence, the opposite is equally true. Though this is a simplistic response, it still carries the eternal test of time: goodness prevails and selfishness is expunged. Time must be made magical and precious.
How then are we to effect change if each of us is isolated in our own Leibniz-conceived monad?3 I believe that the only way that we alter behavior is through example. If we live ethical and happy lives and we spend our time well and generously, we will have an impact on society. If we live a dissolute and debauched existence, the opposite is equally true. Though this is a simplistic response, it still carries the eternal test of time: goodness prevails and selfishness is expunged. Time must be made magical and precious.
When we are young, we are presented with the proverbial “tree of opportunity.” It has so much fruit that many are overwhelmed and fail to seize any of its delicious treats. Regardless of my age, I must never stop trying to grasp the fruit from the tree. This can only end when I am hopelessly disabled, either physically or mentally.
When we are young, we are presented with the proverbial “tree of opportunity.” It has so much fruit that many are overwhelmed and fail to seize any of its delicious treats. Regardless of my age, I must never stop trying to grasp the fruit from the tree. This can only end when I am hopelessly disabled, either physically or mentally.
10. 我們必須珍惜時間
10. 我們必須珍惜時間
時間是任何事物都無法取代或喚回的珍寶，一旦打開了這一份的禮物，它就會一直前進，直到我們生命的終點時才會停下來。或者如聖奧古斯丁(354-430)說的，「我們確實無法說時間是真正存在的，除了在朝死亡前進時。」1我們要如何妥善地管理時間呢？如何賦予我們的時間永垂不朽的價值，讓寶貴的經驗最終能傳承給後代的子孫應用？我62歲，以我的經驗來說，最重要的是去了解時間內在的價值，並真正去體會時間是無可取代的。時間不像金錢或美貌可以恢復（是的，美貌是可以恢復的，因此才有那麼多的整形醫美診所），時間在我們眼前流逝，就如同我們在海邊時，手中的細沙從指間滑落一樣。
時間是任何事物都無法取代或喚回的珍寶，一旦打開了這一份的禮物，它就會一直前進，直到我們生命的終點時才會停下來。或者如聖奧古斯丁(354-430)說的，「我們確實無法說時間是真正存在的，除了在朝死亡前進時。」1我們要如何妥善地管理時間呢？如何賦予我們的時間永垂不朽的價值，讓寶貴的經驗最終能傳承給後代的子孫應用？我62歲，以我的經驗來說，最重要的是去了解時間內在的價值，並真正去體會時間是無可取代的。時間不像金錢或美貌可以恢復（是的，美貌是可以恢復的，因此才有那麼多的整形醫美診所），時間在我們眼前流逝，就如同我們在海邊時，手中的細沙從指間滑落一樣。
既然如此，為什麼大部分的人似乎不怎麼重視時間？我認為這可悲的現象是因為人們認為時間不過是另一種可以量化的東西，它就存在於我們的日常工作中，就像吃早餐一樣。基本上時間如同空氣，總是存在我們的身旁，它的數量足夠填滿每天生活高低起伏的空檔。我六點起床，盥洗、吃點東西，八點時抵達工作地點。雖然我在分配時間時扣除了這兩個小時，但是我並未賦予這段時間任何的價值。電影《鐘點戰》2的主題想討論的就是精英份子有意識地控制時間，而窮人所分配到的時間卻少得可憐。最終，電影的主角開始想要對抗這不公平的體制。然而，似乎所有的政治體制很少或根本就不關心時間，對這些體制來說，一般老百姓是沒有什麼價值可言的。
既然如此，為什麼大部分的人似乎不怎麼重視時間？我認為這可悲的現象是因為人們認為時間不過是另一種可以量化的東西，它就存在於我們的日常工作中，就像吃早餐一樣。基本上時間如同空氣，總是存在我們的身旁，它的數量足夠填滿每天生活高低起伏的空檔。我六點起床，盥洗、吃點東西，八點時抵達工作地點。雖然我在分配時間時扣除了這兩個小時，但是我並未賦予這段時間任何的價值。電影《鐘點戰》2的主題想討論的就是精英份子有意識地控制時間，而窮人所分配到的時間卻少得可憐。最終，電影的主角開始想要對抗這不公平的體制。然而，似乎所有的政治體制很少或根本就不關心時間，對這些體制來說，一般老百姓是沒有什麼價值可言的。
因此，「緊緊掌握時間」來達成人生使命是每個人的職責。用說的比做到容易得多。人們應該從何開始呢？首先必須擬定一個計畫，而且是ㄧ個在時間範圍內具體可行的目標，這個目標不用非常特殊，也可以是很不明確的，例如：「我要奉獻此生服務人群。」這主題很多人都曾學習過，也是智慧人士奉行的人生原則。通常幸福並不容易達成，它就如同我們假定於未來的一個時刻，那個時間點並不存在於當下，而是由我們所創造出來的。事實上，生命中最令人感到疑惑的秘密之一，就是沒有什麼外在的事物能讓你快樂，除非你已經能找到自己內心的平靜。不管富有、貧窮、 骯髒邋遢或穿著優雅，這些人當中，有人對生命感到滿意，也同樣有人覺得挫折。生命沒有一個共通的解答，沒有適合某種族群的頓悟方式，這是一條我們必須獨自行走的道路。更可悲的是：我們只能傳遞，卻不能把幸福賜給我們所愛的人。他們也必須決定如何抓住屬於自己的快樂果實。
因此，「緊緊掌握時間」來達成人生使命是每個人的職責。用說的比做到容易得多。人們應該從何開始呢？首先必須擬定一個計畫，而且是ㄧ個在時間範圍內具體可行的目標，這個目標不用非常特殊，也可以是很不明確的，例如：「我要奉獻此生服務人群。」這主題很多人都曾學習過，也是智慧人士奉行的人生原則。通常幸福並不容易達成，它就如同我們假定於未來的一個時刻，那個時間點並不存在於當下，而是由我們所創造出來的。事實上，生命中最令人感到疑惑的秘密之一，就是沒有什麼外在的事物能讓你快樂，除非你已經能找到自己內心的平靜。不管富有、貧窮、 骯髒邋遢或穿著優雅，這些人當中，有人對生命感到滿意，也同樣有人覺得挫折。生命沒有一個共通的解答，沒有適合某種族群的頓悟方式，這是一條我們必須獨自行走的道路。更可悲的是：我們只能傳遞，卻不能把幸福賜給我們所愛的人。他們也必須決定如何抓住屬於自己的快樂果實。
如果每個人都如同萊布尼茨構想的單細胞生物3與世隔絕，我們如何能夠改變任何事物呢？我相信我們改變他人行為的唯一方式就是以身作則。如果我們過著有道德和幸福的生活，並且妥善利用時間，那麼我們就能對整體社會產生影響。反過來說，如果我們過著放蕩和墮落的生活，也會影響社會。雖然這樣的回答過於單純，但卻是經歷過時間考驗的：當美德佔上風，自私就消失了。我們必須讓每一分每一秒都變得神奇而珍貴。
如果每個人都如同萊布尼茨構想的單細胞生物3與世隔絕，我們如何能夠改變任何事物呢？我相信我們改變他人行為的唯一方式就是以身作則。如果我們過著有道德和幸福的生活，並且妥善利用時間，那麼我們就能對整體社會產生影響。反過來說，如果我們過著放蕩和墮落的生活，也會影響社會。雖然這樣的回答過於單純，但卻是經歷過時間考驗的：當美德佔上風，自私就消失了。我們必須讓每一分每一秒都變得神奇而珍貴。
當我們還年輕時，我們都擁有俗話所說的「機會之樹。」這棵樹有那麼多的果實，以至於很多人因為不知如何選擇，而沒有摘到任何一顆美味的果實。無論我的年齡多大，我一定要繼續試著去摘取果實，直到我身體或精神徹底喪失能力的那一刻為止。
當我們還年輕時，我們都擁有俗話所說的「機會之樹。」這棵樹有那麼多的果實，以至於很多人因為不知如何選擇，而沒有摘到任何一顆美味的果實。無論我的年齡多大，我一定要繼續試著去摘取果實，直到我身體或精神徹底喪失能力的那一刻為止。