Thought: ‘What would you do if you had but an hour to live? Do it now!’
Addictions UK uses Twitter to share inspirational Thoughts every day. This article is based on one of them. Follow us at @addictionsuk.
There is a story that St. Francis of Assisi was weeding his garden one day when another monk asked him, “What would you do if you were told, right now, that you had just one hour to live?” Without hesitation, the saint replied, “Try to get to the end of this row of cabbages.”
Martin Luther had a similar Thought: “Even if I knew that tomorrow the world will go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree”.
What we choose to do at each and every instant should be the very best use of that time, whatever other considerations there may be.
In reality, of course, we have to seize or await opportunities. We cannot control every moment. But it is always worth asking yourself, “If my time were running out, is whatever I am doing now important enough to fit in first?”
At the very least, that approach brings perspective and order to our busy-ness, and controls the dangers of wasting our time.
You can turn it around too. Ask yourself, “if I had just a day left, what, of all the things I have been putting off, would I really try to fit in?” And then do it. That shriek of a lorry’s breaks, the flash of lightening, one day that might be for you and that one day might be today. Is that really just indigestion?
Well let’s be more positive! If your alcohol or drug abuse is under control you probably have many years left. But, forgetting the danger of immanent demise, there’s a lot of other good reasons for doing the right things as soon as you can. The Twelve Steps suggest that reconciliation and making amends where you can will come pretty high on that list.
Time is precious; use it well.
Please contact us now if you need help with recovery from any addiction and especially if you are seeking home-based treatment.
