On Time.....

By - ​Fr.Cedric Fernandes,S.J. (Headmaster)

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TIME…how do we use it?
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God has given us 24 hours, 1440 minutes and 86, 4000 seconds a day. How do we use this time that God has given us? So often, we hear people complaining that we do not have time. Is it that we do not have time? Or that we do not know how to make use of the time given to us. Do we prioritize the various activities of the day, to better use the time given to us? For eg, students often complain that they have no time to study. They often come to school without doing their daily work, without studying, without checking their time table before coming to school, no proper uniform, funny hair style etc. But these very students will spend hours in front of the computer playing video games, or long hours in front of the TV or in games. Many spend a lot of time in private tuition. How much of importance do they give to their studies? Do they spend hours on unnecessary things to the extent of neglecting their studies and future career?

​Parents complain that they have no time. Hence they do not spend enough time with their children. Books are hardly checked, remarks given are often not signed. Parents hardly make time to come and visit the teachers to inquire about their child’s progress. They find all sorts of excuses to stay away from annual PTA meetings too. These parents are so engrossed in their own work that they neglect their children and spend less time with the family members at home. Could this be the reason of the problems our families are facing today? Do we spend enough time together as a family? Do we have a family time table where time is given to 1.God (Prayer) 2. Family (time to be together)?

Generally we all complain of lack of time inspite of the 24 hours, 1440 minutes and 86,400 seconds given to us by God. Basically, we all have the time. Do we have a daily time table where we give time to 1. God.2.Family 3.Others and 4. Self ? Or do we waste most of the time doing unnecessary things? Let me give you a simple example which I came across one day. This may help us reflect on the Value of the precious time God has given us.

Imagine that you had won the following *PRIZE* in a contest: Each morning your bank would deposit Rs 86,400 in your private account for your use. However, this prize has rules: 

The set of rules:
1. The money that you didn't spend during each day would be taken away from       you.                         
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.                            3. You may only spend it.                                                                                            4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank adds to your account another Rs           86,400 for that day.                                                                                                5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time it can say, “Game Over!" It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.

What would you personally do?                                              You would buy anything and everything you wanted right?
Not only for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for people you don't know, because you couldn't possibly spend it all on yourself, right?
You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you know it would be filled up again in the morning, right?
Actually, this game is real…… 
Shocked ??? YES!
Each of us is already a winner of this *PRIZE*. We just can't seem to see it.
This PRIZE is *TIME* 
1. Each morning we awaken to receive 86,400 seconds, 24 hours and 1140            minutes as a gift of life.                                                                                            2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is NOT carried                  forward.                                   
​3. What we haven't used up that day is forever lost.
4. Yesterday is forever gone.
5. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your account        at any time WITHOUT WARNING ...

Jesus also prioritized in his daily schedule. 1. He spent time with God. Late evening he would withdraw from the crowd and go to a lonely place and be in communion with God. 2. He spent time with the apostles. He would take his apostles to be by themselves and trained them for their future mission 3. He spent time with the people. During the day he would go around preaching and healing 
SO, what do you do with your time ? How many seconds of the day have you spent for 1.God 2. For your family and children 3. To do good for others and 4. to fulfill your selfish needs?
Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in rupees. Think about that, and always think of this: Use and value time for every minute is precious.  

Quotes
During a very busy life I have often been asked, “How did you manage to do it all?” The answer is simple: because I did everything promptly.  Richard Tangye
Be wise in the use of time. The question of life is not, “How much time have we?” The question is ,”What shall we do with it?”  Anna Robertson Brown.
Reflection.
If God asks me on the judgment day,” What have you done with the time that I had given you each day?” What would be your answer? 

Action
Make time for yourself, especially for your children and your family and enjoy every second of your life, because time races by so much quicker than you think. 
Prepare a time table and prioritize the time you have each day for 1. God. 2.Family 3. Others and 4.Self.
Take care of yourself, be happy, love deeply, enjoy life and you will live happily as a family.